Controller, Defense Unicorns
$116.9-158.1k
+ Company Stock Options
Software for national security systems
Be an early applicant
Software for national security systems
101-200 employees
Be an early applicant
$116.9-158.1k
+ Company Stock Options
101-200 employees
Company mission
To create software to solve the unique challenges experienced by the government.
Role
Who you are
- If you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy building from the ground up, and want your accounting expertise to fuel meaningful national impact, this role is for you
- We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred)
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
- Experience with indirect rate structures, project accounting, and cost pools in a federal contracting environment
- Demonstrated success standing up or scaling financial operations in a high-growth or startup setting
- Strong systems orientation with experience setting up and managing accounting systems and ERPs
- Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and commitment to financial accuracy
What the job involves
- Being a Financial Controller at Defense Unicorns means more than keeping the books balanced — it means building the financial backbone of a company transforming how the Department of Defense delivers software
- Our mission is to make software a strategic deterrent, and that mission depends on a rock-solid foundation of operational excellence and financial integrity
- In this role, you'll report to the CFO and serve as the strategic steward of our accounting and compliance functions
- You’ll partner closely with teams across the company — from engineering and contracts to FP&A and product — to ensure that every dollar we earn, spend, or forecast is in lockstep with our values, our growth, and the trust we’ve earned from the federal government
- Lead all accounting functions, including general ledger, AR/AP, payroll accounting, and month-end close processes
- Oversee preparation of financial statements in compliance with GAAP and government contract requirements
- Maintain contractual compliance with respect to cost allocation and billing
- Develop and refine accounting policies and internal controls to support a scaling organization
- Own revenue recognition, cost allocations and indirect rate management
- Collaborate with the FP&A Director to ensure data integrity in financial planning models and executive reporting
- Support timely and accurate reporting for leadership, the board, and external stakeholders
- Oversee implementation and optimization of accounting and ERP systems
- Serve as the primary liaison for auditors, tax and accounting advisors, and regulatory bodies
- Partner with operations and contracts teams to ensure financial compliance and contractual alignment across programs
- Contribute to pricing strategies and cost volumes during proposal development in coordination with FP&A and Business Development teams
- What We Work On:
- Kubernetes
- Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure)
- Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi)
- Continuous Delivery and automation tooling
- GitOps
- Containers
- CNCF projects and open source products and packages
- Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping
- Building and improving security delivery
- Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications
Our take
Military defence technology is having to adapt at a quickening pace. However, innovations in the tech sector, outdated technology, varied compute environments and complex security and compliance issues create lags in new defence technology. Defense Unicorns is an open-source tech developer aiming to minimise this lag.
Founded by former Department of Defense software engineers, Defense Unicorns uses AI and innovative software to create military technology for various uses and combat landscapes. The company is particularly focused on tech that can be used in “air-gapped” areas - those that are disconnected from the internet.
In terms of the company's future position in the market, it's notable that the US annual defence budget specifically for IT and cyber has increased to just under $59 billion in 2024. This funding growth exemplifies a rapidly changing combat landscape set against an unpredictable global backdrop, one in which Defense Unicorns has the chance to be an important player.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Feb 2024
$35m
SERIES A
Oct 2022
$0.5m
SEED
Total funding: $35.5m
Company benefits
- Medical/Dental/Vision (premiums are 100% company paid)
- Health reimbursement account
- Life insurance & disability insurance
- 401k with employer contribution (regardless of employee contribution)
- Company stock options
- Home office setup budget
- Unlimited paid time off, with a mandatory 10 days off on top of 11 federal government holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
- Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)
Company HQ
Southeast Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO
Leadership
Robert Slaughter
(Co-Founder & CEO)Works as a Trainer at Project Blue. Previously the Director of DoD Platform One, a Counselor at SpaceCAMP, and worked in DevOps for the US Airforce.
Andrew Greene
(Co-Founder & Engineer)Previously worked for DoD Platform One. Was also a Software Engineer at Omitron and at SGT.
Jeff McCoy
(Co-Founder)Previously Co-Founder and CTO at Platform One, Was also CTO at SpaceCAMP, Senior Software Engineer at Defense Innovation Unit, and Co-Founder at DDS Rogue Squadron.
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