Principal financial controller – Industrial & central controlling

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. Position Overview Reporting to the Head of Controlling, the Central Controller acts as a key transversal finance partner supporting both development and manufacturing activities within a high-technology industrial environment. The role is critical in structuring analytical processes, ensuring financial data reliability, and supporting operational performance management. Key Responsibilities 1. Time Booking & Labor Cost Management · Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the time booking system · Define time recording rules and ensure compliance · Monitor timesheet data quality and consistency · Provide workforce allocation and productivity analysis 2. Cost Rates & Analytical Master Data · Define and maintain internal hourly rates (actuals vs budget, over and under absorption to project, hourly rate analysis · Manage analytical master data (cost centers, cost objects, allocations) · Ensure consistency across financial systems 3. Industrial Financial Processes · Design and maintain financial processes related to manufacturing orders · Ensure alignment between operational, analytical, and accounting data · Support costing methodologies and production valuation rules · Provide financial guidance to operational teams 4. Monthly Closing Activities · Oversee analytical closing processes: o timesheet validation o cost allocation controls o manufacturing order closure · Analyze standard vs actual cost variances · Ensure accuracy and traceability of management data 5. SG&A Budget Ownership · Lead SG&A budgeting process at central level · Monitor actual vs budget performance · Deliver variance analysis and reporting · Support department heads in cost management 6. Financial Planning Support · Contribute to budgeting and business planning cycles · Support forecasting exercises · Provide profitability and investment analysis 7. Cross-Functional Finance Leadership · Support transversal finance topics in coordination with accounting · Drive continuous improvement initiatives · Participate in ERP and finance transformation projects · Act as a best-practice reference for industrial controlling Candidate Profile · Master’s degree in Finance or Controlling · 8–10+ years in industrial controlling · Mandatory experience in aerospace or aeronautics industry · Audit experience would be a plus, but not mandatory · Strong experience in complex, multi-entity environments Key Skills · Strong industrial costing expertise · Deep understanding of analytical accounting · Process structuring capability · ERP and data analytics proficiency · Strong analytical mindset and cross-functional leadership Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is: We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge? We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.