LEAP is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Vice President of Finance with strong Aerospace & Defense (A&D) and manufacturing experience to lead financial strategy, planning, and analysis in a fast-paced hardware manufacturing environment supporting national security and government space programs. This role is responsible for financial analysis, government contract compliance (FAR/DFARS/CAS), audit leadership (DCAA/DCMA), manufacturing cost visibility, and strategic decision support to the CFO and executive leadership team, partnering closely with the Controller and accounting team on financial reporting and internal controls. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial analysis and modeling capabilities, extensive Aerospace & Defense and manufacturing cost accounting knowledge, direct experience navigating DCAA and DCMA audits, and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a growth-oriented organization.

Own Core Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Analysis

• Support financial planning & analysis (FP&A), including budgeting, forecasting, long-range financial planning, and cash flow modeling.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and decision support to the CFO and executive leadership team.
• Develop and monitor financial and operational KPIs, including contract and program-level profitability analysis.
• Support pricing strategy, cost/price analysis, and proposal pricing for government bids and contract negotiations.
• Analyze indirect rate structures and rate variances and their impact on contract profitability, recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Operations leadership on production cost analysis, standard costing, and manufacturing overhead allocation to support unit economics and margin visibility as LEAP scales production.

Government Contract Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations), DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), and CAS (Cost Accounting Standards).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for DCAA and DCMA audits, including incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rate proposals, and business systems reviews.
• Own indirect rate structure development, provisional/final billing rates, and rate variance analysis.
• Partner with the Controller and accounting team to ensure accounting systems and cost accounting practices meet government compliance standards, including CAS and DCAA adequacy requirements.

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Review financial statements and reporting packages prepared by the Controller/accounting function for accuracy, GAAP compliance, and business insight.
• Partner with the Controller to establish and maintain strong internal controls and financial policies.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Present financial results, forecasts, and strategic analysis to the CFO, CEO, board, and/or ownership as needed.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Support team members supporting FP&A and contract pricing functions.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, Program Management, Contracts, Supply Chain, and HR.
• Support pricing proposals, bid reviews, and government contract negotiations.
• Provide financial analysis and operational insight to improve profitability and working capital management.
• Support capital planning, financing strategy, and banking relationships.

Produce Clear Deliverables

• Budgets, forecasts, long-range financial plans, and cash flow models.
• Contract and program-level profitability analyses, indirect rates, and pricing proposals.
• Incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rate proposals, and audit materials.
• Financial and operational KPIs, manufacturing cost analyses, and reporting packages.

Impacts and Outcomes

• Provide financial insight that supports executive decisions, contract profitability, and working capital management.
• Maintain government contract compliance and audit readiness.
• Improve production cost and margin visibility as LEAP scales manufacturing.

What You Bring to the Team

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including senior/executive-level leadership responsibility.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within a defense contractor, aerospace manufacturer, or government contracting environment.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS/CAS; government contract types and vehicles (FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ, OTAs, SBIR/STTR) and revenue recognition; percentage-of-completion and project accounting methodologies; and manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costing, work-in-process (WIP) inventory valuation, and production variance analysis.
• Direct experience with DCAA and DCMA audits, including incurred cost submissions, forward pricing proposals, and business systems reviews.
• Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills.
• Experience with ERP systems commonly used in government contracting environments.
• Experience operating in a hardware manufacturing or production environment, with an understanding of BOM costing, work-in-process (WIP) inventory, and manufacturing overhead allocation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience engaging with executive leadership.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Bonus Points

• CPA.
• Experience with Unanet.
• Experience presenting financial results to a Board of Directors or ownership group.
• Experience with capital raising, banking relationships, or M&A activity.
• A high-performing leader may have opportunities to take on broader responsibilities as LEAP grows.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced Aerospace & Defense (A&D) manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work onsite in a manufacturing/production facility and collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Compensation

Salary Range: $185,000 – $220,000

The estimated salary range for this role reflects various compensation factors. The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs.

In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, which includes:

• Equity Program: Equity plan participation is available to all employees following an initial 90-day employment period and is performance-based. Equity allocations are determined on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Managers may make recommendations based on individual and team performance. All equity grants are subject to executive review and approval in accordance with the Company’s equity plan.
• Retirement Planning: Save for the future with a 401(k) plan that includes competitive company matching.
• Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of a professional development stipend to advance your skills and expertise.
• Flexible Time Off: Enjoy PTO as needed and holiday breaks to help you balance work and life, including two week long company winter breaks and paid leave to support a family member, bond with a new child, or manage your own health needs
• Remote Work Flexibility: Our team operates on a hybrid model. We expect you to work with your team for specific details on work location.
• Health Benefits: LEAP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage at minimal to no cost for employees. Coverage for dependents and HSA are also available.
• Insurance Coverage: We cover basic life and long-term disability insurance, with options to add extra coverage to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

LEAP is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace in Colorado. Our team brings together exceptionally talented and diverse individuals who are pushing the boundaries of space access and logistics. We welcome all qualified applicants and provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. This includes individuals with a criminal history, in compliance with applicable regulations. We actively encourage applications from minorities, women, Veterans, and people with disabilities. At LEAP, we strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the hiring process. If you’re excited about making a real-world impact in space technology, we want to hear from you!