Senior Cost Analyst / Estimator – Space Acquisition

ACT1 Federal
El Segundo, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with DoD acquisition experience and advanced quantitative skills comfortable with life-cycle cost estimation and cross-functional collaboration.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years of DoD cost-estimating experience and strong analytical modeling skills
    — “8+ years of DoD cost-estimating, cost-analysis, financial-analysis, or closely related acquisition experience”
  • Individuals with a background in space acquisition or prior experience with U.S. Space Force programs
    — “S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Air Force, or former SMC space acquisition experience strongly preferred”
  • Professionals who thrive in onsite collaboration and can manage complex technical and financial data
    — “Coordinate cost-estimating inputs with program management, engineering, contracting, financial management, and other functional stakeholders”

Things to consider

  • Active Secret clearance is mandatory, which may limit the candidate pool
    — “Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred”
  • The role is contingent upon contract award, which introduces uncertainty in employment stability
    — “THIS POSITON IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with ACEIT or similar cost-estimating tools in your resume and interviews
    — “Experience with ACEIT or comparable cost-estimating tools and advanced Microsoft Excel strongly preferred”
  • Demonstrate your ability to prepare executive briefings and decision-support products
    — “Prepare cost assessments, independent analyses, executive briefings, and decision-support products”
  • Showcase your understanding of DoD affordability and risk processes in your application materials
    — “Knowledge of DoD acquisition, PPBE, affordability, risk, and milestone-review processes”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • accurate cost estimates
  • affordability assessments
  • independent analyses
  • decision-support products
Typical background
cost estimatingfinancial analysisacquisition planning

Skills & requirements

Required

Cost EstimatingFinancial AnalysisAcquisition PlanningMilestone ReviewsBudgeting

Preferred

AceitAdvanced Microsoft Excel

About the role

Original posting from ACT1 Federal via Greenhouse

Position Title: Senior Cost Analyst / Estimator – Space Acquisition

Location: El Segundo, CA

Category: Contingent

Schedule (FT/PT): Full-Time

Travel Required: Up to 10%

Shift: Day

Remote Type: Onsite

Clearance required: Active Secret required; TS/SCI preferred

Division: Air and Space

Salary: $125,000 - $170,000 annually

Who is ACT1 Federal? ACT1 Federal LLC is a 100% employee-owned company. We’ve served the Department of Defense (DoD) for nearly thirty years. Our core missions include weapon systems engineering, logistics, space domain expertise, global defense and security, business and financial management for security assistance and major defense articles, as well as military training and arctic security. Join us!

***THIS POSITON IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD***

Description: ACT1 Federal is seeking a Senior Cost Analyst / Estimator to support U.S. Space Force and Space Systems Command acquisition programs. The position provides cost-estimating, affordability, financial-analysis, and acquisition decision support for complex space systems and portfolios.

Responsibilities:

Develop, update, and evaluate program and life-cycle cost estimates supporting space acquisition programs.

Conduct cost research, data normalization, trend analysis, and development of cost-estimating relationships and models.

Analyze program technical, schedule, risk, and financial information to assess cost impacts and affordability.

Prepare cost assessments, independent analyses, executive briefings, and decision-support products.

Support acquisition planning, milestone reviews, budget/POM activities, program reviews, and funding decisions.

Coordinate cost-estimating inputs with program management, engineering, contracting, financial management, and other functional stakeholders.

Identify cost risks, assumptions, data limitations, and potential mitigation approaches.

Maintain supporting cost data, documentation, models, and traceability for Government review.

  Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, Finance, Mathematics, Engineering, Operations Research, Business, or a related quantitative discipline.

8+ years of DoD cost-estimating, cost-analysis, financial-analysis, or closely related acquisition experience; 10+ years preferred for senior-level placement.

Experience developing life-cycle cost estimates and supporting major defense or space acquisition programs.

Strong quantitative, analytical, modeling, documentation, and presentation skills.

Experience with ACEIT or comparable cost-estimating tools and advanced Microsoft Excel strongly preferred.

Knowledge of DoD acquisition, PPBE, affordability, risk, and milestone-review processes.

S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Air Force, or former SMC space acquisition experience strongly preferred.

Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.

US. Citizenship required.

Benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

ACT1 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance

Company Paid Short-Term Disability

Voluntary Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

401K with employer match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Military Leave

Education, Training & Professional Development

Voluntary Accidental Injury/Critical Illness/Hospital Care

Voluntary Pet Insurance, Legal Resources, and Identity Protection

Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of flexibility and collaboration, whether that happens in person or remotely.

If this position is listed as remote or hybrid, you’ll periodically work from a ACT1 Federal or client site facility.

If this position is listed as onsite, you’ll work with colleagues and clients in person, as needed for the specific role.

 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

Source: ACT1 Federal careers (Greenhouse)

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