Vice President of Finance and Accounting (m/w/d)

Job Description

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as Vice President of Finance and Accounting

CFS’s financial teams and systems manage many $100M’s of spend per year across 10,000’s of parts towards the delivery of our first-of-a-kind fusion machines. This finance team is integral to the planning, analysis, procurement, production, tracking, accounting, and reporting for each part. Our goal is to continually improve CFS’s ability to manage this spend, with systems that streamline financial operations across the company.

We are now hiring a VP of Finance and Accounting, reporting to the CFO and based in our Devens MA headquarters, to lead and manage all operational aspects of the company's Finance and Accounting functions. We seek a leader who thrives in our highly analytical, data-driven culture and shares our deep commitment to operational excellence in R&D, manufacturing, and project infrastructure environments.

This role is critical for ensuring financial integrity, building data-driven controls, delivering insightful analysis, and optimizing cash management. You will lead the accounting and FP&A teams, embedding operational excellence and analytical rigor into all financial processes, working effectively within our matrix organization and collaborating closely with the PMO, Operations, Commercial, and other teams.

What you'll do

• Grow and manage CFS's financial center of excellence: Continuously improve the company's financial systems, processes, and tools as the company evolves to concurrently deliver multiple billion dollar infrastructure projects, a growing manufacturing operation, and cutting edge R&D.
• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Lead budgeting and forecasting focused on expense management, project budgets, and data-backed cash burn analysis. Deliver deep-dive variance analysis, translating financial data into actionable operational insights for leadership and the PMO. Track KPIs and provide data-driven decision support. Assist CFO with investor/board reporting.
• Accounting Operations & Control: Oversee all accounting functions (Corporate Controls & Reporting, AP, Payroll, Tax), ensuring timely reporting and compliance. Continuously improve reporting based on metrics & KPIs and automate generation of reports. Establish and manage rigorous project accounting integrated with PMO needs, alongside robust manufacturing accounting. Implement and maintain strong, data-driven internal controls, which ready the company for public reporting in the future. Lead audits and tax compliance.
• Treasury & Cash Management: Manage daily cash operations, develop precise cash flow forecasts, manage banking relationships, and oversee project-specific financing needs.
• Team Leadership & Process Improvement: Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, analytically-minded finance team. Drive operational excellence within finance through rigorous data analysis, process optimization, automation, and system enhancements (including ERP), ensuring alignment with project and operational needs.

What we’re looking for

• 15+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including significant leadership roles managing core accounting, payroll, and FP&A
• Deep experience in environments focused on large infrastructure projects (project accounting and controls) and manufacturing (cost/inventory accounting and processes)
• Proven success managing finance in capital-intensive, pre-revenue settings, with expertise in cash burn management and implementing effective internal controls
• Experience building public-company ready financial systems, accounting, reporting, and controls
• Demonstrated ability to leverage financial data to drive operational improvements
• Experience collaborating closely with Project Management Offices (PMOs) and understanding large-scale project controls and lifecycles
• Track record of leading, developing, and scaling analytically focused finance teams
• Experience building and growing ERP systems and proficiency with data analysis/BI tools
• Expert knowledge of US GAAP, cost accounting, and project accounting principles
• Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and financial modeling skills.

Bonus points for

• Proven ability to navigate and succeed in matrix organizational structures

Must-have Requirements

• Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

$250,000 - $350,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation with equity
• 12.5 Company-wide Holidays
• Flexible vacation days
• 10 sick days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities
• Team-building activities

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.