Senior Cost Accountant - Government Contracts

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

As a Senior Cost Accountant - Government Contracts, you will apply your skills to oversee all aspects of accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable, audit, and compliance functions while establishing robust financial controls, policies, and reporting systems that protect company assets and ensure regulatory compliance. The role demands excellence in supporting team members, developing cost accounting, and supporting a move in accounting infrastructure to new enterprise systems including ERP and government compliance tools. We are looking for an experienced accountant to apply their expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with US GAAP
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analyses
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures
• Oversee accounting and reporting for government grants and contracts, including cost-plus, cost sharing, fixed-price, and milestone-based arrangements
• Ensure compliance with FAR and CAS audit requirements (as applicable)
• Support government audits, grant reporting, incurred cost submissions, and compliance reviews
• Partner with contracts and program management teams to ensure proper cost allocation and revenue recognition
• Support team in exploring incentives available for tax credits by identifying programs that would fit our anticipated project spend
• Complying with and documentation requirements for obtaining these tax credits and incentives.
• Lead cost accounting for a capital-intensive manufacturing environment, including inventory, WIP, overhead allocation, and standard costing
• Monitor capital expenditures, fixed assets, depreciation, and capitalization of equipment and tooling
• Oversee accounting treatment for R&D activities, including capitalization vs. expense considerations
• Track and report R&D costs by program, contract, or grant as required
• Support R&D tax credit documentation and coordination with external advisors
• Manage and mentor accounting staff or external resources as the company scales
• Partner closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, and program management teams
• Assist with system implementations, process improvements, and scalability initiatives

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing or project-based environments
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, project and cost accounting, and internal controls
• Extensive experience in implementing an integrated systems
• Experience in government contracting/government cost accounting environment with strong understanding of FAR and CAS
• Familiarity with government audits
• Hands-on experience with inventory, WIP, fixed assets, and capital-intensive operations
• Skilled people leader; passionate about developing talent
• Excellent communicator; can articulate complex concepts to a varied audience.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to evaluate the need for change and the impact to the business; a builder
• A hands-on leader, with a team-centered orientation, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Must be willing to work onsite at our Denver, CO facility.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum

Desired

• CPA
• Experience in managing regulatory, commercial, and government audits
• Ability to effectively manage multiple, large scale projects and dynamically shift focus and reprioritize when needed
• Aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing industry experience
• Experience with ERP systems
• Experience supporting high-growth or pre-IPO companies

$140,000 - $170,000 a year

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on "EEO Is the Law," please see here and here.

Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company's long-term success.

Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.