Aerospace Program Controller

Aerospace Program Controller

Location: Havelock, NC 
Department: Aerospace Operations / Program Management
Reports To: Vice President, Aerospace Operations / Director of Program Management
Employment Type: Full-Time

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Aerospace Program Controller to support the financial, operational, and contractual execution of complex aerospace and Department of Defense (DoD) aviation programs.

The Aerospace Program Controller will serve as a critical liaison between Senior Program Management, AP / Finance, Contracts, Procurement, and Operations, ensuring accurate financial tracking, forecasting, invoicing alignment, labor utilization oversight, and program performance reporting across multiple aerospace maintenance, modification, manufacturing, and sustainment contracts.

This position plays a key role in supporting operational execution, maintaining financial discipline, improving cash flow visibility, and ensuring programs remain aligned with contract funding, labor categories, and customer requirements. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting government contracts within aerospace, aviation maintenance, manufacturing, or defense sustainment environments.

Key Responsibilities

Program Financial Management & Budget Control

• Own full program P&L performance, including revenue, cost, margin, and profitability targets across multiple aerospace contracts and task orders.
• Develop and manage monthly and quarterly financial forecasts including labor, material, subcontractor, travel, and revenue projections.
• Track actual program performance against forecasted plans and implement corrective actions to maintain financial and operational objectives.
• Ensure alignment between operational execution, staffing plans, production throughput, and overall financial performance.
• Implement and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and reporting. 
  • Track Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), and Actual Cost (AC).
• Provide monthly program performance reviews, variance analysis, executive summaries, and actionable financial insights to leadership.
• Align financial metrics with operational schedules, production milestones, maintenance throughput, and contract deliverables.
• Monitor labor utilization, direct vs indirect charging practices, and overall cost allocation compliance.
• Support budgeting activities, financial planning efforts, and long-range operational forecasting.

Invoicing & Revenue Execution

• Lead the end-to-end invoicing lifecycle from work completion through customer billing and payment tracking.
• Process and manage weekly program invoicing activities to improve revenue recognition and operational cash flow performance. 
• Prepare, review, track, and process DD Form 250s (Material Inspection and Receiving Reports) in support of customer acceptance and billing requirements.
• Ensure DD250 documentation, Certificates of Conformance, shipping documentation, and acceptance records are accurate, complete, and compliant prior to submission.
• Coordinate with Program Managers, Procurement, and Finance teams to validate labor, material, travel, subcontractor, and funding data prior to invoice submission.
• Partner with Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) teams to: 
  • Validate invoice accuracy 
  • Track payment status and aging receivables 
  • Resolve discrepancies with customers and internal teams 
• Ensure timely submission of invoices in accordance with contract requirements, funding limitations, and customer billing procedures.
• Drive reduction of aged receivables (60/90+ days) and support improved cash flow performance across aerospace operations.
• Maintain invoice reconciliation logs and support resolution of rejected invoices, funding discrepancies, or receiving/reporting issues.
• Ensure proper charge code usage, labor alignment, indirect calculations, and cost allocation compliance.
• Support WAWF/PIEE invoicing processes and customer acceptance workflows.
• Support audits, invoice reviews, and financial reconciliations with accurate and traceable documentation.

Operations Integration

• Work directly with Program Managers, Operations Managers, Site Leads, and Manufacturing Leads, to align operational execution with financial objectives.
• Align manpower planning and staffing projections with budget forecasts and revenue targets.
• Validate production throughput and maintenance execution against invoicing opportunities and contract schedules.
• Ensure kitting, procurement, and material availability support operational execution and revenue generation.
• Translate operational performance, production metrics, and schedule status into financial outcomes and forecasts.
• Support operational reviews, Quad Chart reporting, KPI tracking, and executive-level program status briefings.
• Identify operational inefficiencies, financial risks, and process improvement opportunities across assigned aerospace programs.

Procurement & Cost Control

• Oversee material cost tracking and ensure alignment with contract funding limitations and budget projections.
• Coordinate with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to: 
  • Monitor vendor costs and variances
  • Mitigate supply chain cost risks, inflation impacts, and long-lead procurement concerns
• Monitor subcontractor expenditures, material purchases, and procurement allocations against program funding.
• Ensure all costs remain allowable, allocable, reasonable, and compliant with FAR/DFARS requirements.
• Support strategic sourcing and procurement planning initiatives that improve operational efficiency and reduce program risk.

Customer & Contract Financial Interface

• Serve as the primary financial point of contact supporting NAVAIR PMA offices, Contracting Officers (KO), CORs, DCMA, and customer financial stakeholders.
• Support contract modifications, funding alignment activities, CLIN/SLIN tracking, and financial execution reviews.
• Ensure invoicing activities align with contract deliverables, funding ceilings, POP timelines, and customer acceptance requirements.
• Provide clear, professional communication regarding financial performance, execution status, invoicing progress, risks, and mitigation actions.
• Support customer program reviews, audits, data calls, and financial reporting requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Program Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting government contracts, aerospace programs, aviation maintenance programs, or defense operations.
• Experience supporting DoD contract financial management, forecasting, invoicing, or program controls.
• Understanding of FAR/DFARS, cost accounting practices, and government contract structures (FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems such as Deltek Costpoint or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with both operational and executive leadership teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Naval Aviation, Aerospace Sustainment, Depot Maintenance, or Aviation Modification Programs.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and reporting.
• Familiarity with DCMA/DCAA compliance environments.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, kitting, supply chain, or aviation maintenance operations.
• PMP, EVMS, CPA, or related professional certification preferred.
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one preferred.
• Program Shipping - Fed Ex reconciliation

Desired Attributes

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify financial and operational discrepancies quickly.
• Ability to operate independently while coordinating across multiple departments.
• Operationally minded with strong business acumen and financial discipline.
• Process improvement focused with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable working within dynamic aerospace and defense operational environments.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required to customer sites, operational locations, and corporate offices in support of program execution and reviews.

Why Join ACET

At ACET, you will be part of a growing aerospace and defense organization supporting mission-critical aviation sustainment, modification, manufacturing, and operational support programs across the Department of Defense. Our team is committed to operational excellence, quality execution, and delivering innovative solutions that directly support the warfighter.