Controller

About Merlin:

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About you: 

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Controller to join our team. This role will serve as a key partner in driving the financial health and operational efficiency of the company. You will oversee all aspects of financial operations and work directly with senior leadership to align financial strategy with business goals. You will have the opportunity to create robust financial frameworks, provide strategic insights, and ensure compliance in a growing company.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic, innovative environment and has experience with both day-to-day accounting operations and high-level financial strategy. You will play a critical role in shaping the future of Merlin Labs and supporting its ambitious growth trajectory.

• Oversee all financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis, ensuring compliance with GAAP and other regulatory requirements.

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations that influence key business decisions, drive profitability, and optimize capital allocation.

• Lead financial planning and analysis (FP&A) efforts, including the development of financial models, forecasts, and the preparation of annual and quarterly budgets.

• Manage the company’s accounting functions, including payroll for US and NZ subsidiaries in Rippling and TMF, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local regulations.

• Oversee treasury management for US and NZ bank accounts, ensuring accounts are funded appropriately for payroll and other operational expenses.

• Approve large AP items and ensure all payments are in line with company policies and financial forecasts.

• Lead the preparation and presentation of financial statements and reports to the executive team, ensuring all data is accurate, actionable, and delivered in a timely manner.

• Manage the tax process and ensure compliance with federal, state, and international tax regulations, coordinating with external tax advisors as needed.
• Review and analyze contract terms to ensure accurate accounting, financial reporting, and billing by project. Prepare monthly financial reports for US government contracts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to contract terms.

• Build strong relationships across the business, acting as a go-to partner for operations, HR, business development, and leadership to align financial strategies with company goals and support key initiatives.

• 7+ years of experience in finance and accounting roles, with at least 3 years in leadership positions (Controller, Senior Accountant, or FP&A Lead).
• 2 + years Managing a team, or Direct People management Experience. 
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with Deltek software, including financial management, project execution, and compliance specific to government contracts.
• Experience leading the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, and coordinating audits with external auditors.
• Proven ability to manage complex financial operations in a high-growth or startup environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present financial information to senior leadership and influence strategic decision-making.
• Solid understanding of treasury management, payroll systems (Rippling, TMF), and large-scale accounts payable processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in a venture-backed, high-growth startup environment, especially within the tech or aerospace sectors.
• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability

status. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background, and reference checks. 

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected]

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.