Cost Analyst

Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 81 (SYD 81) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Cost Analyst (NH-1515-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
Serves as an advanced Cost Analyst, leading the end-to-end development, quantitative modeling, and analytical defense of comprehensive Life-Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), program baselines, and cost/benefit analyses for designated space acquisition programs and mission capabilities. Collaborating extensively with Program Managers, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), systems engineers, contracting officers, and external stakeholders, the incumbent gathers and normalizes technical data, translates complex system requirements into defensible cost models, and ensures rigorous documentation in compliance with DoD 5000-series acquisition policies and Space Force guidance. Furthermore, the analyst prepares and delivers authoritative briefings, trade-space assessments, and executive-level cost findings to senior acquisition leadership, directly substantiating budget and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions, guiding milestone review decisions, and providing vital analytical support during contract negotiations and source evaluations.

The ideal candidate is an analytical and quantitatively adept cost professional skilled at gathering, normalizing, and evaluating complex raw data through rigorous statistical and qualitative methods. This individual demonstrates a proven ability to develop, adapt, and refine sophisticated cost models to solve intricate acquisition challenges and deliver actionable, alternative trade-space solutions for executive decision-makers. A strong and confident communicator, the candidate excels at defending analytical findings, cost methodology, and underlying assumptions before leadership and stakeholders, while actively supporting Program Managers in executing robust Earned Value Management (EVM) practices-including trend analysis, Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), and project surveillance-across multiple concurrent programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of a broad range of operations research analysis techniques and possession of analytical abilities.

Knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.

Skill to negotiate and/or defend findings and program support concepts.

Ability to lead study teams and originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.

Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques and design, build, and use models and simulation techniques.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relations

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS security clearance with access to SCI, other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in TS SAP to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
• Required to handle and safeguard classified or sensitive information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• Must have a bachelor's degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in quantitative analysis courses. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, "Confidential Financial Disclosure Report." Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
• This is a Financial Management Level 2 Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Mgmt, Section 1599d. Incumbent shall comply with the requirements of this certification program.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
• PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/.
• Incentive is not authorized.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

Qualifications

The 1515 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed . In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements . Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .