Posted August 09, 2026
Senior Cost Accountant
Astrolab
Hawthorne, CA, US
Full Time
130000USD - 160000USD per year
Job Description
Job Description
Description
What you'll do:
What you'll bring:
Benefits and Perks
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
Astrolab is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Senior Cost Accountant to manage and execute our day-to-day costing operations as we transition from design to the manufacturing and testing of our first-of-a-kind lunar service robotics.
Astrolab is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Senior Cost Accountant to manage and execute our day-to-day costing operations as we transition from design to the manufacturing and testing of our first-of-a-kind lunar service robotics.
You will be the financial eyes and ears on the floor—tracking engineering design changes, equipment procurement, third-party contractors, test-product quality, spares, and scrap. Crucially, you will ensure our costing structures maintain strict compliance with both US GAAP and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
What you'll do:
NetSuite Implementation & Daily Execution
- Implement, maintain, and customize NetSuite’s costing modules to align with company accounting policies and reporting needs.
- Execute day-to-day cost accounting entries, labor distributions, and inventory reconciliations.
- Establish and maintain work centers, routing steps, and Bill of Materials (BOM) cost structures within NetSuite.
Cost Tracking & Analysis
- Track and analyze expenditures across multiple dimensions: by account, department, work station, and product segment.
- Monitor and report on variances (material, labor, and overhead) between budgeted estimates and actual build costs.
- Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain to accurately track and account for high-value scrap, rework, and spare parts inventory.
Technical & Regulatory Compliance
- Apply US GAAP principles to accurately distinguish between R&D expenses (pre-technical feasibility) and Capitalized Assets (flight hardware/PP&E).
- Ensure all cost accounting practices, labor logs, and overhead pools comply with FAR and government contracting requirements.
- Assist the Controller in preparing for external financial audits and government compliance reviews.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance teams to ensure accurate tracking of test-product costs and qualification units.
- Translate complex operational activities on the manufacturing floor into accurate financial data.
What you'll bring:
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 3–5 years of progressive cost accounting experience, including job-order or project-based costing
- 2+ years of experience using NetSuite, including manufacturing, inventory, or project costing modules
- Experience working in a FAR-compliant environment, including aerospace, defense, or government contracting
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) related to cost accounting
- Experience developing, maintaining, or improving accounting processes and internal controls
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, or manufacturing
- Experience applying ASC 730 (Research and Development) and ASC 360 (Property, Plant, and Equipment) accounting guidance
- Experience supporting a NetSuite implementation, upgrade, or system customization
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations with low-volume, high-complexity products
- Experience with government contract accounting and compliance requirements
- Experience preparing financial analyses related to inventory, project costs, or capital expenditures
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation
- Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Experience in the aerospace or advanced manufacturing industry
Benefits and Perks
- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Home office set up reimbursement
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
