Business Unit Vice President of Finance, Tactical Systems

The VP, Finance - Tactical Systems serves as the senior financial leader for all of the Tactical Systems Division, responsible for driving financial performance, ensuring compliance, and supporting strategic growth initiatives. This role partners closely with executive leadership, program management, and functional teams to deliver accurate financial insights, optimize cost structures, and align resources with strategic objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in accounting, compliance, and financial controls, and has demonstrated progressive finance leadership within complex, regulated environments.

Essential Functions-

Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Business Unit Senior Vice President and leadership team.
• Drive financial strategy, resource allocation, and long-term planning in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Lead financial modeling, scenario planning, and risk assessment to support programmatic and portfolio decisions.

Financial Management & Controls:

• Oversee all aspects of financial operations, including general accounting, program finance, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Strengthen internal controls, audit readiness, and financial integrity across the business unit.

Program & Contract Finance:

• Provide financial oversight for large, complex government contracts, including cost-plus, fixed-price, and time-and-materials agreements.
• Monitor contract performance, profitability, and cash flow; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with program managers to track earned value management (EVM) metrics and drive program execution.

Business Partnering & Growth Support:

• Collaborate with business development on pricing strategies, bid reviews, and investment decisions for new opportunities.
• Evaluate mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships within the defense sector.
• Support operational leaders with data-driven insights to improve efficiency and margin performance.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing finance organization, including program finance, accounting, and compliance teams.
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and ethical stewardship.

Perform other duties as required:

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications:

• Security Clearance-Ability to obtain/maintain a Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.
• Strategic financial acumen with a strong operational mindset.
• Deep understanding of government contracting compliance and cost accounting principles.
• Ability to balance short-term performance with long-term growth.
• Strong leadership presence, with the ability to build trust and credibility across the organization.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to transparency.
• Proven ability to influence senior executives and collaborate across functions to achieve business outcomes.
• Excellent communication, leadership presence, and decision-making skills.
• Strong background in corporate controllership, audit, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success in defense contracting or a highly regulated industry with FAR, CAS, and EVM knowledge.

Leadership Competencies:

• Directs and provides expert knowledge in the strategic function of the department.
• Develops short and long-term people and organizational strategy in alignment with AEVEX goals and direction.
• Leads with impact & influence. Establishes credibility, effectively persuades and develops others, and achieves important objectives collaboratively.
• Drives strategic change and promotes improvements within the organization. • Identifies, recruits, and retains top-notch talent.
• Champions AEVEX’s culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.
• Maintains transparent communication. Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication.

Education / Certifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics or other related field.
• Masters Degree preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) highly desired

Experience:

• 15 or more years of progressive finance and accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership role.
• Experience overseeing large, complex portfolios and supporting business units of $500M+ preferred.

Physical Requirement:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Physical Requirements Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment Note: For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.  

About AEVEX Aerospace

AEVEX Aerospace, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.