Director of Finance

The role

The Director of Finance will own the company's full finance operating rhythm including monthly close, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management. This leader will act as both a player and a builder to drive core processes and design scalable systems and team structures.

What you will do

• Establish the foundation of the finance organization
• Design and implement scalable finance processes, controls, policies, and reporting cadences
• Build the finance roadmap including team design and systems architecture
• Hire, develop, and lead future finance team members
• Lead the monthly close process and financial statement preparation
• Maintain budget-to-actual reporting and variance analysis
• Support quarterly reforecasts and annual planning processes
• Own day-to-day accounting operations including AP, AR, and procurement controls
• Develop monthly cash flow forecasts and long-term runway models
• Lead the migration to a GAAP-compliant accounting system

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of experience across accounting, controllership, or a related finance role
• Prior experience in public accounting at a major firm
• Strong foundation in accounting, financial reporting, close processes, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Experience owning or materially contributing to budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and executive reporting
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a highly hands-on role with limited infrastructure and build processes from scratch
• Experience implementing, upgrading, or migrating accounting systems and improving finance tooling
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and the practical application of GAAP in a scaling company environment
• Excellent modeling, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to synthesize detailed financial information into clear business recommendations
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Nice to have

• CPA preferred
• Prior experience in aerospace, defense, or another regulated hardware manufacturing industry
• Experience preparing a company for audit, due diligence, or institutional investor reporting
• Experience working in venture-funded companies, ideally in early-stage or high-growth environments
• Experience building and managing small, high-performing finance teams
• Familiarity with DCAA/DCMA accounting practices, government contract cost structures, documentation expectations, and compliance-oriented financial processes
• Proficiency in Excel

Benefits

• Stock options & equity
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Catered lunches
• Relocation bonus
• Discretionary bonuses

Before you apply

• Katalyst must ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment

About the company

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations. They are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles.