Internal Audit Manager

About Ouster

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high-resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

About The Role

We are seeking an Internal audit manager to support the Company’s effort to maintain our SOX program as a new public company, as well as setting up an operational Internal audit program. Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit, you will have broad exposure to the operations of the Company and will interact with leaders across Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Sales, Engineering and IT as well as our external auditors and advisors. This individual will assist with managing Ouster's in-house internal audit team (3 direct reports located in Thailand) as well as external service providers (number of consultants varies). You will take a lead role in planning, organizing, and executing the SOX testing program throughout the Company with guidance from the Head of Internal Audit. This role presents an excellent, long-term path for career development at Ouster, Ouster Internal Audit is committed to recruiting and developing great talent.

This is a hybrid role requiring the manager to be on-site at our San Francisco office 2 to 3 days per week. We encourage candidates to live within a sustainable commuting distance of the San Francisco office to support the in-office requirement; relocation benefits are not available for this role.

This person ideally possesses technology sector experience, with a focus on end-to-end SOX compliance. The candidate must have knowledge of process flow mapping, design and documentation of controls, controls testing, evaluation of control deficiencies and remediation plans. Additionally, the candidate must have the ability to effectively manage relationships with partners (external auditors, outsourcing partners, control owners), demonstrate proficient project management skills, superior communication (written and oral) and organizational skills.

You will be joining a world-class finance team that tracks and seeks to understand the factors driving our growth and success. We help our entire organization achieve our operational and financial goals while embodying our company values. We ensure our objectives are feasible and work closely with all teams to ensure they have the resources they need to achieve our ambitious mission-enabling all teams to work together effortlessly.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the annual enterprise risk assessment process, collaborating with senior leadership to inform and develop a dynamic, risk-based Internal Audit plan aligned with Ouster's strategic objectives.
• Manage the end-to-end SOX testing program, ensuring compliance and the effective control environment required of a public company.
• Provide strategic advisory support on the control implications of new accounting standards and new application implementations. 
• Oversee all phases of audit and SOX engagements, including planning, fieldwork, and reporting, ensuring adherence to IIA standards and timely completion.
• Elevate control documentation by reviewing and updating process flowcharts, narratives, and Risk & Control Matrices, particularly as new systems or material processes are implemented.
• Champion the use of data analytics and automation tools to enhance audit efficiency, expand audit coverage, and transition towards continuous risk monitoring.
• Conduct thorough root cause analysis on control deficiencies, partnering with control owners to develop strategic, sustainable remediation plans, and rigorously validate their successful execution.
• Lead, mentor, and coach the global Internal Audit team (3 direct reports in Thailand), fostering a culture of high performance, professional development, and collaborative excellence.
• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including executive management, external auditors, and co-source providers, positioning Internal Audit as a trusted business partner.
• Prepare and present reports on audit outcomes, risk trends, and remediation status directly to senior management, ensuring findings are concise and actionable.
• Manage external service providers, ensuring the quality and efficiency of outsourced SOX procedures and leveraging their expertise effectively.
• Collaborate dynamically with the IT Audit team to ensure a fully integrated approach to testing IT General Controls and automated application controls, promoting holistic risk coverage.

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role. To thrive in this role, you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; or Information systems, and a professional certification such as CPA, CIA, or CIA
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining a SOX testing program, and testing of business process and IT general controls
• Demonstrated experience, skills and knowledge with IIA Professional Practices and Standards
• Demonstrated experience of leading Internal audit projects focussed on operational, product and compliance risks
• A minimum 7+ years of experience in a senior internal audit role; experience with similar internal audit roles in large organizations or with Big 4 audit firms highly preferred
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, COSO, PCAOB Auditing Standards, Sarbanes-Oxley, risk and controls standards and business process best practices
• Firm grasp of technical accounting and SOX methodologies (controls design, risk assessment, testing strategies, etc.)
• Excellent communication, collaboration and presentation skills
• Knowledge and experience of using data analytics and automation tools is a plus
• A maintained knowledge base of audit industry practices and to ensure best practices are always considered

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($150,000-$190,000)

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.