Senior Manager, Accounting (R6484)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai https://shield.ai/. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai, X https://x.com/shieldaitech, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI. - Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai https://www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Shield AI is seeking a strategic and operationally strong Senior Manager, Accounting to join our Finance organization. As Shield AI continues to scale globally, this role will serve as a critical leader within the accounting function, driving operational excellence, strengthening controllership processes, and helping mature the company’s financial infrastructure in support of continued growth and future public-company readiness. Reporting to the Accounting Director, this role will lead key aspects of the global accounting and close process, oversee complex accounting operations and intercompany activities, and partner cross-functionally to implement scalable systems, controls, and reporting processes. The ideal candidate brings a combination of strong technical accounting expertise, operational leadership, process transformation experience, and the ability to influence across a rapidly evolving organization. What you'll do: * Lead and oversee key global accounting operations, including the monthly and quarterly close consolidation process, general ledger accounting, and review of significant accruals, project accounting, capital projects, reconciliations, and cash activities. * Serve as a key leader in driving an efficient, accurate, and scalable close and reporting process across domestic and international entities, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and internal policies. * Partner closely with FP&A, Treasury, Tax, Program Finance, Operations, and international business teams to ensure alignment across financial reporting, operational initiatives, and strategic objectives. * Drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of accounting policies, internal controls, and governance frameworks in preparation for future SOX compliance and public-company readiness. * Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting workflows, improve data integrity, and enhance reporting capabilities through systems optimization and process transformation initiatives. * Lead cross-functional projects related to ERP enhancements, accounting system implementations, reporting automation, and finance infrastructure scaling. * Support the Accounting Director in managing external audits, statutory reporting requirements, and coordination with external advisors and stakeholders. * Develop and maintain high-quality documentation for accounting processes, controls, and key business activities to support audit readiness and operational consistency. * Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject matter expertise to team members while helping cultivate a high-performance, collaborative accounting organization. * Analyze complex accounting and operational issues, assess business impacts, and recommend practical, scalable solutions that balance technical compliance with business objectives. * Monitor emerging accounting guidance, industry developments, and best practices, proactively evaluating potential impacts to the organization. * Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and ad hoc analyses as the company continues to grow and evolve. Required qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (preferred), Finance, or a related field. * 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a high-growth, complex operating environment. * Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, consolidations, and internal control frameworks; experience supporting SOX readiness or compliance initiatives strongly preferred. * Demonstrated experience leading complex close processes across multiple entities and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. * Proven ability to drive process improvement, operational scalability, and systems optimization initiatives. * Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities. * Excellent project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple priorities and delivering results under tight deadlines. * Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively partner with leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization. * High degree of ownership, accountability, and initiative with the ability to operate independently and proactively. * Experience developing process documentation, implementing controls, and supporting audit activities. * Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience working within modern ERP systems. Preferred qualifications: * Active CPA license. * Experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries. * Experie