Project Controller

Location: Overland Park, United States of America
Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Project Controller

Salt Lake City, UT and or Overland Park, KS (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Project Controller who will report to the Financial Controller and independently manage the day-to-day project accounting and financial analysis for a portfolio of complex projects. The portfolio includes multiple projects valued at more than $20 million, with combined annual revenues of approximately $35–40 million.

In this position, you will serve as a financial partner to Business Controllers and Project Managers by maintaining accurate project financial records, analyzing costs and performance, supporting forecasting and billing, and identifying financial risks and opportunities. You will apply accounting knowledge and professional judgment to resolve project accounting issues, explain financial variances, and recommend actions that support cost control, margin performance, and cash collection, while operating within established accounting policies, contractual requirements, and financial controls.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Independently manage project accounting activities for assigned projects, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely financial information throughout the project lifecycle; review contracts, change orders, and other modifications to identify accounting, billing, cost, and cash flow implications.
• Establish and maintain project budgets, cost structures, and expenditure authorizations in the ERP system, consistent with approved bids, contracts, and changes; analyze project costs, commitments, work in progress, revenues, margins, and cash performance.
• Partner with Project Managers to review estimates to complete and estimates at completion, challenge underlying assumptions, incorporate foreseeable changes into financial forecasts, and assess project contingencies, provisions, and contractual or financial exposures.
• Prepare project financial reporting and dashboards, reconcile project accounting entries and balances, support accurate revenue recognition and period-end close, and prepare accurate and timely Time and Material and Cost Plus billings in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor billing status, unbilled balances, and receivables; coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve discrepancies, support timely cash collection, and provide financial analysis and project assumptions for annual budgets, multi-year plans, and periodic forecasts.
• Resolve nonroutine project accounting discrepancies, apply and monitor project financial controls, identify control gaps, recommend process and data-quality improvements, prepare audit support documentation, provide guidance to project stakeholders, and perform other related duties as assigned.
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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, with three (3) or more years of relevant accounting or financial analysis experience, including project accounting, contract accounting, or comparable experience supporting complex financial activities.
• Working knowledge of project accounting principles, including project costing, revenue recognition, reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls.
• Experience independently managing assigned accounting activities, investigating discrepancies, resolving nonroutine issues within established policies, and using an ERP system to review transactions, maintain financial records, and analyze project or business performance.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, lookup functions, and analysis of large financial datasets.
• Ability to evaluate financial results, identify risks and trends, translate findings into clear recommendations, and communicate financial information effectively to both financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities, meet reporting deadlines, work independently, and collaborate effectively with Project Managers, Business Controllers, and other stakeholders.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

Special Position Requirements

• Experience using SAP financial and project accounting modules.
• Experience supporting large, multi-year projects or programs.
• Experience with Time and Material and Cost Plus contract billing.
• Experience supporting internal or external audits.
• Experience identifying and implementing improvements to accounting processes.
• Experience supporting project accounting and financial reporting activities in a complex business environment.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Why Join Us?

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 83,325.00 - 147,157.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please raise HR request through MyThales)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program