
Sr. Accounting Manager at Fuse (San Leandro, CA)
Fuse· San Leandro, CA· $135k–$180k·
Role details
Job description
ABOUT FUSE
We are building one of the most potentially consequential companies of the century. Our mission is to accelerate the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind. This is not a normal company. This is not a normal job. We are committed for the long term to win.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You'll build Fuse's accounting function in-house. Today, much of our accounting is supported externally across multiple entities. Your job is to bring the work together, make the numbers reliable, and build the right systems as Fuse scales. There is no team under you on day one. You'll be hands-on and close to the work, not just reviewing it.
WHAT WE VALUE
- Obsess about the details — sloppy work costs us later, so do it right the first time.
- Care — pick up the trash. Do things no one asks you to do. Go the extra mile because you care.
- Act with urgency — every hour matters more than it feels like it does.
- Be responsible for the outcome, not just the task; if it is not working, it remains your problem until it is fixed.
- Assume good intent — disagree openly, then commit fully once a call is made.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting and close.
- Manage and coordinate our external accounting firms and keep the books consistent across all entities and subsidiaries.
- AP and AR — vendor payments, customer invoicing, collections, expense reports.
- Treasury and cash management — bank accounts, cash positioning across entities, reconciliations, short-term forecasting.
- Federal, state, and local tax filings and registrations as we expand into new jurisdictions.
- R&D tax credit filings and supporting documentation.
- Audit prep and execution, as needed.
- Government contract accounting for Fuse Federal — DoD and DOE work, including the cost accounting standards, allowability rules, and reporting cadence that come with it.
- Internal controls — approval thresholds, segregation of duties, reconciliation policies — sized to where we are, without prematurely bureaucratizing a startup.
- Compliance — state registrations, business licenses, inter-company agreements.
- Build systems and processes at the right time — not too early, not too late.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 6+ years of accounting experience, including time in Big 4 public accounting and a high-growth startup.
- CPA, or actively working toward one.
- Meaningful exposure across the responsibilities above — you don't need to have led every one.
- High attention to detail; we want to trust your numbers without re-checking them.
- Ability to keep the bigger picture in view when priorities shift and not everything can be perfect at once.
- Strong judgment on what to systematize now versus what can stay scrappy.
- Hands-on — no team under you on day one, so you'll be doing the work, not just reviewing it.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Accounting experience at a hardware, deep tech, or other capex-heavy company.
- Experience at a fast-growing startup.
- Government or defense contract accounting experience (DCAA, FAR, CAS), particularly relevant for Fuse Federal.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- This is not a remote position and will require relocation if not already local to Fuse's San Leandro, CA facility.
- Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed.
- Position may require some business travel to other Fuse facilities.
BENEFITS
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Relocation assistance for roles that require it.
- Flexible time off. Take what you need, no accrual tracking.
- 2 weeks of paid time off built into the end of each year (subject to team and business needs).
- Supportive leave of absence policies.
- Paid leave for new parents.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS
To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Fuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Fuse is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, ancestry, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
Why work at Fuse
- Culture: Described as "misfits, tinkerers, skeptics, doers" — drawn to impossible problems. Values include frugality, speed, hands-on experimentation, and deep technical conviction. "Fuse is not a comfortable environment" — no bean bag chairs; many live, eat, and work at the facility.
- Work environment: "Fuseville" — a shipping-container communal living facility adjacent to the lab. Bed-to-reactor commute under 60 seconds. Sleep pods available. You'll likely build your own desk. "We really skimp on furniture."
- Compensation: Low salaries — "you should be willing to work for free. While you will receive a minimum base so that you can survive, money and lifestyle is not the motivator." Significant stock option upside if fusion succeeds. "Fair wages. Long hours. High voltage. Success far from guaranteed."
- Benefits: Competitive healthcare plan. High-end computer setup and cloud computing resources. "Everyone on the team has skin in the game."
- Who should apply: Self-motivated, deeply internally driven, humble yet brilliant, fusion geeks who built Polywells in high school, boundary-pushers who "get shit done." Must be comfortable with deferred gratification and high risk.
- Remote/hybrid policy: Not explicitly stated, but the "Fuseville" on-site living model suggests heavy in-person presence is expected. "Commuting makes your blood boil" is a stated value.
- Notable perks: Working on one of humanity’s hardest problems alongside top 1% talent; national security impact; potential enormous financial reward via stock options; "glory in case of ignition."