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Lead Accountant (R4209)

San Diego, California
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

We are seeking a Lead Accountant to play a critical role in scaling our accounting function as the business grows. This role goes beyond the close, you will influence how financial data is produced, trusted, and used by leadership to make decisions. You’ll own meaningful areas of the balance sheet and P&L, improve how we operate, and help build a best-in-class accounting function.

What You'll Do:

  • Own close for assigned areas: prepare journals, account reconciliations, and flux analysis; ensure GL-to-subledger integrity. 
  •  Manage key GL cycles: prepaids, accruals, fixed assets, inventory/COGS, payroll entries, and deferred revenue with clean rollforwards and documentation. 
  • Drive cutoffs and analytics: coordinate with AP/AR/Payroll/Procurement/FP&A on accruals and budget-to-actuals; propose adjustments based on data. 
  • Uplift controls and audit readiness: Identify risks, control gaps, or inefficiencies and drive solutions with minimal direction. 
  • Improve processes and tools: standardize templates, automate reconciliations, streamline the close calendar.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. 
  • CPA or CPA eligible. 
  • 5+ years of progressive accounting experience in public accounting (Big 4 or national firm) and/or a high-growth operating environment. Public company experience a plus
  • Proficiency with GLs/subledgers and reconciliation tools (e.g., FloQast) and strong Excel/Sheets skills 
  • Solid working knowledge of US GAAP and internal controls 
  • Clear communicator with an ownership mindset and the ability to collaborate to deadlines. 
  • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving mindset. 
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

About Shield AI

Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company building autonomous AI systems for aircraft, drones, and intelligent mission software used in complex military environments. Founded in 2015, the company is best known for developing Hivemind, an AI pilot system that enables aircraft and drones to operate autonomously in contested and GPS-denied environments, supporting U.S. and allied defense missions.

For job seekers, Shield AI offers opportunities across advanced fields including artificial intelligence, robotics, software engineering, autonomy systems, aerospace engineering, embedded systems, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, AI researchers, and defense professionals who want to work on real-world autonomous systems that are actively being deployed in operational military scenarios.

Unlike traditional defense contractors, Shield AI operates with a startup-style engineering culture focused on rapid experimentation, real-world testing, and fast deployment of autonomous capabilities. Employees work on tightly integrated AI and robotics systems that combine perception, decision-making, and control, enabling platforms to operate without direct human input in highly complex environments.

As modern warfare increasingly shifts toward autonomous systems, distributed sensing, and AI-enabled decision-making, Shield AI continues to grow as one of the most prominent companies in next-generation defense technology. For professionals seeking to build cutting-edge autonomy systems with direct mission impact, Shield AI stands out as a leading employer in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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