Junior/Senior Cost Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

The Integrated Cost and Schedule Analysis Department (iCASA) is the corporate focal point for cost/schedule analysis and related estimating methodologies. iCASA supports many customers throughout the National Security, Civil, Commercial, and International Space communities. We are responsible for developing space and ground cost estimates, performing assessments of program schedules, reviewing cost proposals, analyzing cost and schedule risk, supporting analyses of alternatives, developing cost and schedule models, supporting the Aerospace Concept Design Center (CDC), and researching ne

w cost and schedule models and methods

iCASA is seeking Junior and Senior Cost Analysts to join our team of diverse, innovative, and highly productive cost and schedule professionals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop cost estimates for advanced space systems using both in-house and industry standard cost estimating methodologies
• Provide technical expertise based on cost estimating and analysis best practices (e.g., GAO, ICEAA) 
• Analyze cost and technical data to assess credibility of government and industry cost estimates
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary teams in ongoing research for cost analyses and coordinate interfaces with government customer and Aerospace program offices
• Support multiple programs and/or activities and frequently act as point-of-contact for cost-related activities
• Support Life Cycle Cost Estimation, Evaluation of Government and Contractor Cost estimates, Cost-Benefit/Effectiveness Analyses, Programmatic Assessments, Cost/Schedule/Technical Risk Analysis, Cost/Performance/Design Trade Studies, and Portfolio Analysis for decision support
• Participate in the following: cost research, cost engineering, program technical baseline development; proposal evaluations, and model development for in-house cost estimating tools
• Candidates must be able to communicate sophisticated concepts to the program office (PO) and Customer and be responsible for ensuring Aerospace technical quality in terms of completeness, relevance, accuracy, and timeliness
• Candidates must be able to work and communicate effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, react quickly to changing requirements and schedules
• Candidates must be able to think critically and work effectively to synthesize information from multiple sources, and provide informed information into narratives as deliverables
• Willing to travel domestically/internationally when required, approximately 10%
• Train department members and participate in knowledge transfer with peers

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Operations Research, Economics, Finance, or related field
• 8 years of relevant experience, including detailed experience with space and launch systems acquisitions as well as systems engineering planning; ground systems experience highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience using industry cost models (True Planning, SEER, ACEIT, etc.) and standard cost methodologies

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Additional Requirements for the Senior Level

• 12 years of relevant cost estimating experience, to include space, launch