Cost Analyst

The position of Cost Analyst is listed on behalf of a partner company managing all applications and next steps. Our partner is seeking a Cost Analyst based in the United States to support complex cost analysis initiatives within advanced defense and national security programs.

About the role

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and defense of life cycle cost estimates and program-level financial assessments.
• Combine analytical expertise, data integration, and cost modeling to support critical acquisition and sustainment decisions.
• Work with government and contractor stakeholders to evaluate cost drivers, risks, schedules, and program performance.
• Collaborate in a highly collaborative environment with significant remote flexibility and opportunities to apply advanced estimating methodologies.
• Support informed, data-driven decisions for large-scale technology and defense initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation, validation, and delivery of cost estimates and analytical products used to guide strategic program decisions.
• Develop, update, document, and defend life cycle cost estimates, program office estimates, independent cost analyses, and other cost-related deliverables.
• Conduct cost analysis activities including problem definition, research, data collection, modeling, visualization, and development of recommendations.
• Build and maintain cost data tools, quality control processes, and improvement initiatives to enhance estimating accuracy and efficiency.
• Analyze program contractor cost estimates, basis of estimates, risks, work breakdown structures, and cost drivers to ensure alignment with established procedures.
• Support business case analyses, cost-benefit analyses, economic evaluations, market research, and other financial assessments.
• Provide cost-related support for acquisition activities, including proposal reviews, source selections, milestone reviews, program assessments, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders to gather information, validate assumptions, and support cost-related decision-making.
• Use data extraction, transformation, and modeling techniques to generate insights that inform program planning and execution.

Requirements

• Combines cost estimating expertise, quantitative analysis skills, and experience supporting complex technical or government programs.
• Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work independently are essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant quantitative discipline such as Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Science, Operations Research, Accounting, or Cost Estimating/Analysis.
• Completion of at least 21 semester hours of quantitative analysis coursework, including 3 semester hours of Calculus.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant cost estimating experience.
• Experience developing and supporting cost estimates, financial models, and analytical products.
• Experience with cost estimating tools such as ACE-IT (Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools), SEER, or Unison TruePlanning.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel-based analysis and reporting.
• Able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Experience

• An active Secret clearance.
• 10+ years of cost estimating experience.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense acquisition programs.
• Experience analyzing agile project metrics, data modeling, data mapping, or programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL.
• Familiarity with tools such as Jira and Confluence.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex cost analysis findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package and benefits designed to support employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance.
• Hybrid work environment with approximately 90% remote flexibility and occasional on-site support.
• Comprehensive healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Retailer retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Learning and development opportunities to support career advancement.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects supporting national security and advanced technology programs.