Controller

Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter our adversaries.  In the 21st century, conflict moves at algorithmic speed and foresight equals firepower. Our agentic AI is purpose-built to compete with China-from cross-Strait conflict to gray zone coercion. Trained on the most mission-relevant datasets in defense, our technology models adversary behavior, simulates campaigns, and recommends the best course of action to decision makers. Our AI systems are some of the most trusted in the industry and actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific to keep the peace and save lives.

Exceptional technology starts with exceptional people. Vannevar is a small agile team combining world-class engineers with veteran strategists who bring deep expertise in defense and tradecraft. We’re building a company defined by mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth. In just three years, we grew from $3M to $80M in ARR, achieved early profitability, and reached unicorn status-proving that disruption doesn’t require an ego, and staying power doesn’t mean standing still.

About the role

We're looking for a controller to help us bring order to chaos. You are ambitious and thrive in a fast-paced and quickly evolving environment, but are also detailed, process oriented, and organized. You are strategic. You’re focused on where we’re going and build the plans and processes to support our goals.  You are analytically rigorous. You have a deep bias towards using data and analyses to drive decisions. Your second language is performance metrics and you have a deep understanding of how to continue improving those metrics. You’re excited to iterate. At this point we’re still learning. You’re energized by the prospect of creating new tools and processes to make the company operate more effectively, and not afraid to make changes when the first, or second, attempt can be improved. 

As the Controller, you’ll work not only on traditional accounting tasks - monthly close process, accounts payable, payroll, financial reporting, tax planning, and compliance - but also play a critical role in building the processes and workflows to lay the groundwork for scaling an efficient and effective finance organization as the organization grows. This role reports to the Head of Finance. 

What you’ll do

Modernize the finance stack

• Lead the migration from QuickBooks to a modern AI-first ERP (DualEntry, Rillet, Campfire, or similar) and - when required, likely in 2027 - add an inventory management system
• Build automations and AI-native workflows into close, AP, AR, expense, and reporting - replacing manual process wherever possible and enabling more granular and accurate financial data for business decisions
• Be opinionated about which workflows belong in finance vs. the broader business, particularly in a fast-growing start-up context

Own the books, close, and controls

• Lead month-end close, financial reporting, audit, tax, and compliance
• Own AP, AR, payroll, GL, T&E with one direct report (initially)
• Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and audit-readiness across all accounting functions

Partner on the decisions, not just the reports

• Partner with the Head of Finance on the design of product- and customer-level cost accounting; own the implementation. Bring creative thinking to a hard problem - getting accurate product / customer economics without imposing on daily operations of the rest of the company. This reporting informs product investment decisions, pricing strategy, and sales / engineering strategy.
• Be a thought partner on reporting that reflects what the business is actually doing and that informs upcoming strategic and operational decisions
• Assist with investor communications and in translating finance for non-finance leaders

What we’re looking for

• CPA + bachelor's or higher in Accounting or Finance
• 8+ years of accounting experience, with some as a Controller
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting; Big 4 company audit experience
• Unwavering detail orientation. This role gets the books right first. Big-picture business sense is a real plus - and we hope you bring it - but it doesn't substitute for accuracy and rigor.
• Comfort building automations, ideally that incorporate AI - you don't wait for IT or vendors to ship the tools you need
• Demonstrated ability to master a new business-critical domain. This role spans specialized areas - modern ERPs, AI-first tooling, cost accounting, government compliance and, in the future, manufacturing - and no single candidate will have direct experience in all of them. We're looking for evidence you've learned a hard new domain quickly in service of a business objective.
• Startup pragmatism: gets the details right without imposing process on the rest of the business
• US Person; clearance eligible

Big plus  

• Led the migration of a foundational system (ERP, inventory management, billing, or similar) in a startup culture - migrating to a modern AI-first ERP is an additional plus
• Hands-on operator in a modern ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct, DualEntry, Rillet, Campfire) - experience in an AI-first system is a plus, but we really want to see that you know how to maximize the business value of the tools that you’re using
• Manufacturing / inventory accounting (we anticipate entering manufacturing in 2027)
• Cost accounting depth that enables you to creatively problem solve novel allocation questions (cost allocation, customer profitability, R&D economics)
• Government cost accounting familiarity, including an awareness of how to work with CAS / DCAA requirements
• Institutional investor relations / due diligence support
• Strong communication with non-finance partners (product, engineering, GTM)

Nice to have

• SaaS / software accounting experience
• GovTech / defense industry experience specifically
• Pre-IPO scale-up experience

Note to candidates: you'll either lead our QuickBooks → modern ERP migration, or land in a freshly-implemented new system - comfort building in a new ERP is essential either way.

What we offer

We’re proud to offer competitive benefits that support our employees. Some key highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Remote friendly with WeWork access
• Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
• 401(k) match
• Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
• Salary top-up during military reserve duty
• Fully paid parental leave
• Child and pet care reimbursement during travel

Vannevar is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, even if you don't feel like you're a perfect fit. If you're passionate about contributing to our mission, we'd love to hear from you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.