Head of Corporate Finance

• Los Angeles
• On-site
• Yearly salary: $180,000 - $225,000

Job Description

At Heart Aerospace we develop the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers, an electric zero-emission range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.

Your mission

As Head of Corporate Finance at Heart Aerospace, you will be responsible for building our finance organization from the ground up and leading the team and systems you’ve built as we scale. You will develop our financial infrastructure, oversee cash management and runway planning, support fundraising efforts, and act as a strategic partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role ideal for someone who thrives in early-stage environments and is excited by the challenges of revolutionizing the aerospace industry.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Financial infrastructure and operations:

• Build out Heart’s finance organization including systems, processes, reporting, and internal controls.
• Lead all aspects of financial operations including accounting, AP/AR, payroll (in partnership with HR), and financial compliance.
• Select and manage finance vendors, tools (e.g., ERP), and accounting partners.
• Partner with Head of Corporate Strategy to develop and manage detailed financial models and budgets across functions, proactively managing company runway, burn rate, and capital allocation.
• Build processes for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting and reforecasting ensuring visibility into spend.
• Oversee financial risk management including insurance coverage and contractual risk assessments.
• Ensure audit readiness and manage relationships with external auditors as needed.
• Oversee tax strategy and compliance, including federal, state, and local filings, managing coordination with external tax advisors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

Strategic finance and leadership:

• Provide the CEO and ELT with financial insights that inform key executive decisions.
• Provide financial insight to support business decisions across R&D, manufacturing, hiring, and go-to-market functions.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and metrics to guide performance and growth.
• Track, evaluate, and report on business performance weekly, offering actionable insights.

Board, investor and fundraising support:

• Deliver high-quality financial reporting and analysis to senior leadership, the Board, and key stakeholders including investor relations
• Own board-level reporting and presentations, ensuring data is accurate, compelling, and strategic.
• Partner with the CEO on fundraising efforts including financial due diligence and investor communications.
• Ensure compliance with investor agreements and grant reporting.

Your place of work will be at our office located in El Segundo, CA. Some domestic travel may be required.

Skills & Requirements

You'll Bring These Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in finance roles, with at least 2+ years in a leadership capacity.
• Proven success in startup or high-growth environments; experience in aerospace, hardware, or deep tech preferred.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance, accounting principles, and strategic planning.
• Track record of building or significantly scaling financial systems and infrastructure.
• Excellent modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex financial data clearly to diverse stakeholders.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have:

• CPA, CFA, or MBA.
• Experience with government contracts (e.g., SBIR, DoD, NASA) or cost accounting.
• Familiarity with grant compliance and R&D tax credits.
• Prior experience working directly with VC-backed boards or investors.
• Passion for aviation and the electrification of flight.