DESCRIPTION

The Cost Analyst (Journeyman) develops life cycle cost estimating models, conducts life cycle cost analysis, and delivers comprehensive cost products aligned with Department of Defense (DoD), Army, and Government Accountability Office (GAO) standards. Working within a collaborative, Agile-influenced program office environment, the Cost Analyst (Journeyman) applies traceable methodologies, identifies cost parameters and cost drivers, and communicates cost implications to leadership. This role requires close coordination and synchronization with program leadership for task execution.

Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Develop cost estimates and cost documentation based on DoD, GAO, and MIL-STD best practices, including Program Office Estimates (POEs), Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Affordability Analyses, Economic Analyses, and Business Case Analyses (BCAs)
• Develop Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) and Rough Orders of Magnitude (ROMs) supporting specific contract actions, upcoming changes, and major case by case programmatic expenditures
• Create and maintain cost models using traceable methodologies and risk-adjusted estimates aligned with DoD, Army, and GAO guidance, and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) goals
• Apply the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) suite to build, analyze, and defend cost models in support of acquisition planning
• Contribute to, review, and provide feedback on Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions, Army Program Budget Briefs (APBB), Program Execution Group (PEG) products, and Procurement and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) (P&R) Form products
• Contribute to/prepare responses to high-level taskers from DoD, Army, or Congress
• Provide recommendations on cost realism and cost reasonableness
• Provide documentation for program cost estimates and cost impacts for planning support
• Conduct cost risk assessments and contribute to cost/performance tradeoff analyses to inform strategic and tactical decision-making
• Use software tools to conduct cost risk analysis; specifically, Monte Carlo simulations
• Use baseline cost model as a foundation for course of action (COA) analyses
• Collaborate with acquisition and financial teams to ensure consistency of data across cost estimating elements and program products
• Define, manage, and analyze cost metrics aligned with program financial parameters
• Conduct cost analyses in a way that is agile enough to dynamically change based on adjusted input variables
• Document ground rules and assumptions used to drive all estimate products
• Demonstrate knowledge of the latest cost analysis policies, regulations, and methodologies
• Prepare briefing materials, templates, and structured documentation to convey cost implications at key planning and milestone events
• Validate internally developed estimates and review program team submissions, tailoring validation standards as needed based on scope and context
• Evaluate cost realism and affordability in the context of Agile planning cycles, iterative development, or shifting program priorities
• Maintain assumptions, methods, and updates for all cost estimates in accordance with evolving requirements and best practices
• Deliver work products including methodology approaches, white papers, executive briefings, and financial reports that clearly communicate recommendations and underlying rationale

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Operations Research, Business Analytics, Finance, Applied Mathematics)
• 5+ years of professional experience, including cost analysis, development of DoD and Army cost estimates, life cycle cost models, and cost documentation
• Demonstrated expertise using ACEIT for building, managing, and defending analytical cost models
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling, data analysis, and scenario simulation
• Knowledge of applicable DoD and Army financial (cost and budget) policies and standards, and compliance requirements
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex program requirements and financial products
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to present data in clear, concise, and actionable formats for senior leaders and stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing formal briefings and technical reports for leadership
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a high-tempo environment
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Word), SharePoint, and Teams
• Must possess and maintain a Secret Security Clearance

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in Army acquisition programs
• Familiarity with Agile-based planning approaches
• Agile certifications such as Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Agilist (SA) or Program Management Institute (PMI) Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• Proficiency with Power BI or similar tools for data visualization and cost reporting dashboards
• Experience briefing executive leadership, program managers, or budget authorities on cost modeling outcomes and strategic implications
  If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the hiring official or human resources representative. Reasonable accommodations are provided to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Develop cost estimates and cost documentation based on DoD, GAO, and MIL-STD best practices, including Program Office Estimates (POEs), Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Affordability Analyses, Economic Analyses, and Business Case Analyses (BCAs)
• Develop Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) and Rough Orders of Magnitude (ROMs) supporting specific contract actions, upcoming changes, and major case by case programmatic expenditures
• Create and maintain cost models using traceable methodologies and risk-adjusted estimates aligned with DoD, Army, and GAO guidance, and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) goals
• Apply the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) suite to build, analyze, and defend cost models in support of acquisition planning
• Contribute to, review, and provide feedback on Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions, Army Program Budget Briefs (APBB), Program Execution Group (PEG) products, and Procurement and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) (P&R) Form products
• Contribute to/prepare responses to high-level taskers from DoD, Army, or Congress
• Provide recommendations on cost realism and cost reasonableness
• Provide documentation for program cost estimates and cost impacts for planning support
• Conduct cost risk assessments and contribute to cost/performance tradeoff analyses to inform strategic and tactical decision-making
• Use software tools to conduct cost risk analysis; specifically, Monte Carlo simulations
• Use baseline cost model as a foundation for course of action (COA) analyses
• Collaborate with acquisition and financial teams to ensure consistency of data across cost estimating elements and program products
• Define, manage, and analyze cost metrics aligned with program financial parameters
• Conduct cost analyses in a way that is agile enough to dynamically change based on adjusted input variables
• Document ground rules and assumptions used to drive all estimate products
• Demonstrate knowledge of the latest cost analysis policies, regulations, and methodologies
• Prepare briefing materials, templates, and structured documentation to convey cost implications at key planning and milestone events
• Validate internally developed estimates and review program team submissions, tailoring validation standards as needed based on scope and context
• Evaluate cost realism and affordability in the context of Agile planning cycles, iterative development, or shifting program priorities
• Maintain assumptions, methods, and updates for all cost estimates in accordance with evolving requirements and best practices
• Deliver work products including methodology approaches, white papers, executive briefings, and financial reports that clearly communicate recommendations and underlying rational