Fractional CFO

The client is a US space technology company producing flight hardware for human spaceflight missions, now in active production on its first major builds. An external accounting firm handles statutory reporting and an internal assistant covers procurement, but the business lacks a senior finance partner to sit inside it. As the company begins invoicing customers and drawing down on government contracts, it requires proper job costing, actively managed budgets, spend controls, and structured financial reporting.

This is a build-the-framework role, not a clean-sheet build. The incoming CFO will work directly with the founder and CEO, turning existing budget templates into a managed process and establishing the financial discipline required for large government and agency programs. The engagement begins as a fractional arrangement, typically two to three days per week, with onsite presence in Brevard County, Florida required at least initially, and the potential to grow into a permanent leadership position.

• Design and implement internal financial governance, including policies, approval workflows, and segregation of duties appropriate for a small, fast-moving production business.
• Build a proper job costing model covering hourly labour rates, materials, cost of sale, and margin by job, replacing rough estimates.
• Take ownership of existing budget templates and develop them into a regularly reviewed process with clear spend visibility.
• Establish government contract financial reporting, including structured draw-down and invoicing packages tied to milestones, with audit-ready documentation.
• Set up cash management, procurement controls, and expense authorisation practices suited to a company scaling its purchasing activity.
• Produce a consistent executive reporting pack and efficient month-end close for the CEO and co-founder.

• Career-level finance leader at CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent, ideally with large-organisation experience and now seeking a focused fractional engagement.
• Demonstrable experience managing government contract financials, including cost reporting, compliance, and payment draw-downs for NASA contractors, defence primes, or similar.
• Strong job costing and project accounting background in a manufacturing, hardware, or engineering environment.
• Proven ability to introduce structure and controls into a fast-moving business without impeding operational pace.
• Solid GAAP knowledge and comfort with ERP and accounting platforms.
• Availability to be onsite in Brevard County, Florida for the majority of the engagement, at least in the early phase.

EVONA is a specialist recruiter placing talent across the space industry. Their client here is a US space technology manufacturer producing flight hardware for human spaceflight missions beyond Earth orbit, backed by over three decades of technology development, a self-funded large-scale production facility, and commitments from several leading mission partners.