Director of Technical Accounting & Financial Reporting

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Director of Technical Accounting & Financial Reporting to join our team as the first member of our technical accounting function. This position will support us as we work to build and deploy some of the coolest robots on Earth.

Reporting directly to the Controller, you will serve as the Company's technical accounting and financial reporting leader, acting as the primary resource for complex accounting matters and the accounting implications of new business initiatives. You will partner closely with Finance, FP&A, Legal, Operations, Engineering, executive leadership, external auditors, and outside consultants to support the Company's continued growth.

As the first dedicated technical accounting hire, you will establish and maintain the Company's accounting policy framework, prepare technical accounting analyses, support financial reporting and audit activities, drive public-company readiness initiatives, and build the technical accounting function from the ground up, with the opportunity to grow and lead that function as the Company scales.

We offer a competitive compensation package, health benefits, and paid time off, as well as a hybrid work schedule at our location in north Austin.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Serve as the Company's subject matter expert on U.S. GAAP and lead the research, interpretation, and application of complex accounting standards to company activities, including:
• Revenue recognition, including hardware, software, and service arrangements
• Manufacturing and inventory-related accounting matters
• Capitalized software costs and research and development activities
• Stock-based compensation
• Equity and financing transactions, including convertible instruments
• Lessee and lessor arrangements
• International operations
• Business combinations and strategic transactions
• Lead the preparation of high-quality technical accounting memos, accounting policies, financial statements, and associated disclosures, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and supporting the Company's evolving business model and growth initiatives.
• Own the technical accounting and financial reporting aspects of the Company's annual audit and support public-company preparation efforts should the Company pursue an IPO, including disclosure processes, internal controls, and future SEC reporting requirements.
• Partner closely with Finance, Legal, Operations, Engineering, and executive leadership to evaluate new products, customer arrangements, strategic partnerships, financing activities, and other significant transactions, providing practical accounting guidance during business decision-making.
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors and third-party specialists to support technical accounting conclusions and regulatory compliance.
• Support the monthly and quarterly close processes for technical accounting matters and help develop scalable processes, policies, and controls to support a rapidly growing organization.
• Assist the CFO and Controller with special projects, Board and management presentations, strategic initiatives, and other financial reporting and accounting matters as needed.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Hands-on experience with revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, equity and financing transactions, and software capitalization
• Demonstrated proficiency in researching and applying complex accounting guidance
• Strong written communication skills, including drafting technical accounting memoranda and financial statement disclosures
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders and management

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA designation required, with current knowledge of U.S. GAAP principles and their practical application
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years in a Big 4 or national public accounting firm and meaningful technical accounting/financial reporting experience in industry, operating at the Senior Manager or Director level

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-growth technology, robotics, manufacturing, AI, hardware, and/or R&D-intensive environments, including exposure to inventory, capitalized manufacturing costs, and other hardware-related accounting matters
• Experience supporting companies through IPO readiness, SEC reporting, public-company preparation, or other significant capital markets transactions
• Experience with lessor accounting or hardware-as-a-service / usage-based commercial models

Attributes

• A high degree of initiative, ownership, and self-reliance, appropriate to being the first member of the technical accounting team
• A practical and collaborative mindset, suited to a highly fluid environment
• Comfort operating in an entrepreneurial environment with evolving processes, limited infrastructure, and significant cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to build scalable processes and frameworks from the ground up

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate