Manufacturing Finance Manager

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.

About The Role

We are looking for a Manufacturing Finance Manager to join our team. ACS is scaling Bullfrog production from initial units to hundreds of systems per year, under contract with SOCOM, the U.S. Army, and customers across six countries. The cash mechanics of a hardware production ramp are complex, and getting them right is mission-critical. This role reports to the CFO and works daily with operations and supply chain. You will own our rolling cash forecast, CapEx planning, and working capital modeling, grounded in actual production schedules and contract payment mechanics. If you have done this at a scaled hardware company, we want to talk.

What You’ll Do

• Own the rolling 13-week cash forecast, updated weekly, grounded in sales and operational planning, supplier payment terms, delivery schedules and contract milestones.

• Extend the cash model to 90-day and 180-day horizons with scenario analysis covering production acceleration, delivery slippage, and contract deposit delays.

• Build and maintain the CapEx plan: what equipment we need, when we need it given production lead times, what it costs, and how it phases against our cash balance and debt facility availability.

• Model working capital dynamics as production scales: component procurement timing, inventory build-up ahead of deliveries, WIP balances, and the cash conversion cycle at various production rates.

• Partner with supply chain on supplier payment terms, deposit requirements, and the cash implications of BOM changes or supplier transitions.

• Provide weekly cash and liquidity reporting to the CEO and CFO; flag risks and opportunities early and support contract negotiations with financial modeling on payment structures and working capital impact.

What You’ll Need

• Has built rolling cash forecasts for a hardware manufacturing business, grounded in production schedules and supply chain mechanics rather than revenue models; this is the core skill and will be probed in the interview.

• Understands the cash mechanics of manufacturing scale-up: component lead times, supplier deposits, inventory build, WIP, and the gap between cash out and cash in on a production-to-delivery cycle.

• Direct experience with CapEx planning for manufacturing operations; modeling the timing and cash impact of equipment purchases against production requirements, not just summarizing a budget.

• Strong financial modeling skills including scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, and the ability to rebuild a model quickly when the production plan changes.

• Background at a scaled hardware company in defense, aerospace, robotics, industrial manufacturing, or an adjacent field; someone who has seen what a production ramp actually does to a balance sheet.

• Comfortable using AI tools for financial modeling and analysis; we will ask how in the interview.

• On-site in Austin, TX.

You’ll Stand Out

• Experience with government contract payment mechanics including milestone billing, progress payments, and FMS deposit structures.

• Familiarity with debt facility management including draw mechanics, covenant tracking, and borrowing base.

• Has modeled working capital for a business with significant inventory and long supplier lead times.

• Experience at a company that scaled through a major equity raise and had to manage liquidity through the transition.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.