Research Analyst - Aerospace Cost Analyst

About the role

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center supporting the Department of War (DOW) and other federal agencies. IDA’s mission is to provide objective analyses of national security issues and related national challenges, particularly those requiring extraordinary scientific and technical expertise. An opportunity now exists at IDA, homed in the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD), for an experienced Research Staff Member – Senior Aerospace Cost Analyst. CARD engages in applied research supporting resource allocation decisions spanning a broad set of topics within the DOW and for other Federal Agencies. Our research staff provide independent and objective analyses on a wide range of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific, technical, and quantitative expertise. Candidates should have demonstrated successes working on a diverse set of challenging problems throughout their career. Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, strong communication and interpersonal skills will be greatly valued.

Responsibilities

• Develop independent cost estimates and assess the cost, schedule and risk for major defense programs and policy initiatives.
• Evaluate program affordability and long-term resource implications under alternative assumptions, funding profiles and program strategies.
• Analyze historical cost, schedule, technical and performance data to identify trends, risks and key cost drivers.
• Assess the credibility of government and contractor cost estimates, underlying assumptions, methodologies and data sources.
• Improve analytical methods, models and data-collection practices to strengthen the quality and transparency of cost analysis.
• Individually or in team, prepares briefings and reports documenting conclusions, findings, and recommendations; may be asked to present project findings to task sponsor or other interested stakeholders
• Serves as project leader to one or more projects
• Works with other researchers and sponsors to identify, prioritize, and communicate emerging issues for IDA, its sponsors, and the community
• Develops and sustains working relationships with sponsors
• Mentors and develops careers of junior staff

Minimum Job Qualifications

Education/Experience

• MS + 8 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Materials Science, or Physics.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience conducting or leading cost, resource-allocation, or acquisition analyses for major DOW or other U.S. Government programs
• Experience supporting aerospace programs, broadly defined to include space systems, aircraft, missiles and munitions, propulsion, launch, and associated ground, range, or test infrastructure
• Working knowledge of cost estimation methods, including parametric estimation, and of schedule-risk and technical-feasibility assessment
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in an unstructured environment
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with government and industry representatives
• Proven innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Travel may be required
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and execution of research projects, and experience mentoring junior staff
• Knowledge of DOW organizations, functions, and processes, especially those within the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, the Test Resource Management Center, and other offices within the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
• Working knowledge of DOW acquisition processes
• Experience with risk and uncertainty analysis
• Proficiency in Python, R, or an equivalent language for cost analytics, data wrangling, and model automation
• Prior experience at an FFRDC, OSW CAPE, a service cost agency (AFCAA, NCCA, ACEIT/CEAC), a cost-analysis consultancy, or a program-office cost shop
• Professional certification (ICEAA CCEA, DAWIA Business – Cost Estimating Level III, or equivalent)
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Pay

IDA supports transparency, equity, and fairness in its compensation program and provides a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 – $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.