Director, SOX Compliance (R5388)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

As the Director of SOX Compliance, you will build, lead, and continuously improve the company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program in support of a high-growth, public-company environment. Reporting to the Corporate Controller (or Chief Accounting Officer), you will partner closely with Finance, Internal Audit, IT, Engineering, HR, Legal, and business leaders to ensure an effective internal control environment while enabling business growth.

This is initially an individual contributor leadership role (Radford P6) with significant cross-functional influence and executive visibility. As the organization grows, this role is expected to evolve into a people management position with responsibility for building and leading a SOX compliance team.

What you'll do:

• Own and lead the company's end-to-end SOX 404 compliance program, including business process, entity-level, and IT general controls (ITGCs).
• Develop and maintain the annual SOX strategy, risk assessment, scoping, testing plan, and compliance calendar.
• Partner with control owners to document, assess, and improve key business processes and internal controls.
• Coordinate management's annual SOX assessment and support external audit requirements to ensure timely completion.
• Evaluate control deficiencies, facilitate root cause analysis, and drive remediation efforts through successful closure.
• Monitor regulatory developments and evolving best practices to continuously enhance the SOX program.
• Collaborate with Finance Transformation, ERP, and business system implementation teams to ensure appropriate controls are designed into new processes and technologies.
• Drive automation and continuous monitoring opportunities to improve efficiency and control effectiveness.
• Develop executive-level reporting and present SOX program status, risks, and remediation progress to senior leadership and Audit Committee stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders on internal controls, governance, and risk management.
• Establish and maintain SOX policies, methodologies, documentation standards, and training programs.
• Support broader internal control, governance, and enterprise risk initiatives as needed.
• Help define the future organizational structure of the SOX function, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing team members as the program expands.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in SOX compliance, internal audit, external audit, accounting, or internal controls.
• Experience leading SOX programs for publicly traded companies or organizations preparing for public company readiness.
• Strong knowledge of SOX 404 requirements, COSO Internal Control Framework, and SEC reporting environment.
• Experience with business process controls, entity-level controls, and IT general controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience managing external auditors and coordinating complex compliance activities across multiple functions.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership.
• Proven ability to identify process improvement opportunities while maintaining a strong control environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, hardware, or other complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations or major systems transformations (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, etc.).
• Experience with GRC platforms such as AuditBoard, Workiva, Archer, ServiceNow GRC, or similar technologies.
• Experience leading SOX readiness for IPOs or scaling public-company compliance programs.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity controls, automated controls, and emerging technologies supporting compliance.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement experience.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling compliance organizations.
• Passion for mentoring and developing talent, with an interest in growing into a formal people leadership role as the organization expands.

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

San Diego pay range: $170,000 - $250,000

San Mateo pay range: $200,000 - $300,000