Private Equity Analyst – Aerospace and Defense

Job Description

Private Equity Analyst | Talently

The Tone:
This is a full-time, ground-floor opportunity at a newly launched, well-capitalized private investment firm, located in the Greater Philadelphia, PA Area. The firm is founder-led, built by aerospace and defense operators rather than generalist financiers, and is dedicated to acquiring, operating, and growing mission-critical aerospace and defense companies. This Private Equity Analyst role offers a rare entry point to get early exposure to deal sourcing, comprehensive diligence processes, and hands-on portfolio work in one of the U.S. economy’s most strategically important sectors—aerospace and defense manufacturing. The work is grounded in real industrial outcomes like capacity and quality, providing a distinctive seat for someone genuinely curious about how mission-critical manufacturing functions.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Location: In-person, Philadelphia, PA
• Mission: To support the acquisition, operation, and growth of founder-owned or operationally challenged mission-critical aerospace and defense manufacturing businesses, applying an industrial playbook to strengthen supply chains and improve manufacturing resilience.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Deal Sourcing & Evaluation: Support the proactive sourcing and thorough evaluation of potential acquisition targets across the aerospace, defense, and mission-critical manufacturing sectors.
• Financial Modeling & Valuation: Build and meticulously maintain financial models, conduct comprehensive valuation analyses, and prepare all necessary deal materials for potential transactions.
• Due Diligence & Research: Conduct in-depth industry research, competitive benchmarking, and operational due diligence to inform investment decisions.
• Transaction Execution: Assist in all phases of transaction execution, from the initial screening of opportunities to final closing, including preparing materials for Investment Committee review and seller discussions.
• Portfolio Company Support: Support portfolio company initiatives directly tied to enhancing supply chain resilience, optimizing manufacturing capacity, and improving overall operational performance.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Attainment of a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a closely related field, demonstrating core foundational knowledge in analytical business functions.
• Experience: Possess 1–3 years of relevant professional experience gained in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or a similar analytical role.
• Skills: Exhibit strong financial modeling proficiency and advanced analytical skills crucial for assessing investment opportunities and supporting portfolio operations.
• Bonus: Demonstrate a genuine, keen interest in the aerospace, defense, or broader industrial manufacturing sectors, along with comfort working effectively in a lean, founder-led organizational structure.