Principal Cost Analyst

Principal Cost Analyst

LOCATION: Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: TS/SCI

CERTIFICATION: n/a

TRAVEL: Limited; as needed

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Cost Analyst providing support to the Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management Division (C3BM).

Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM) has been tasked with delivering an integrated Department of the Air Force (DAF) Battle Network providing resilient decision advantage and enabling the USAF, USSF, Joint, and Coalition Force to win against the pacing challenge. C3BM supports execution in many different focus areas. C3BM's main efforts are Architecture and Systems Engineering (ASE), Operational Response Team (ORT), and multiple mission integration teams such as Air, Maritime and multiple acquisitions consisting of both the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) and Space.

The Cost Analyst will manage, oversee/lead, and perform scientific work involving the design, development, and adaptation of mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific methods and techniques. This work involves analyzing management problems and providing advice and insights about the probable effects of alternative solutions. The primary requirement of the work is competence in rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis, along with professional knowledge and skill in applying a wide range of theories, concepts, and methods of analytical, mathematical, and statistical principles and practices to military weapons programs.

The Cost Analyst will use the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) tool suite for all program office estimates and analyses.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of most appropriate phase of the budgetary cycle (planning, programming, justification, and execution) for initiating new programs
• Experience in quantitative analysis and calculus
• Must be a US citizen

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a related field
• 20+ years of experience with 12+ of those years working in the DoD sector

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cost Estimating & Analysis

• Perform cost estimating methods (analogy, engineering/scientific methodology, extrapolation).
• Assess impacts of various factors on costs to design, develop, operate, maintain, and dispose of weapon systems.
• Analyze elements affecting costs for projects of limited scope.
• Analyze contractor financial data using Earned Value Management (EVM) to assess cost/schedule performance.
• Conduct analytical processes: problem definition, background research, data collection/reduction, data display, mathematical formulation, and conclusions.
• Conduct Program Office Estimates (POE), adjusting estimates with program changes, and document life cycle costs (development, procurement, sustainment, disposal).
• Prepare cost estimates in compliance with AFI 65-508 and AFMCI 65-201.
• Ensure all POEs undergo Cost Chief review and AFLCMC/FZC Sufficiency Review.
• Deliver electronic copies of completed POEs to the Directorate Cost Repository within 10 business days.
• Provide price estimates (including life cycle costs) for FMS programs.
• Perform "what if" analyses/excursions for restructures, technology insertion, quantity changes, and funding adjustments.
• Support economic analyses (AFMAN 65-506) and Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) (DoDI 5000.84).
• Provide ancillary support to AFCAA, OSD CAPE, and related agencies per the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act.

Contract Pricing Support

• Provide pricing services across acquisition phases: development, award, management, measurement, and closeout.
• Draft pricing briefings, correspondence, reports, and evaluation criteria.
• Support source selection teams in evaluating cost proposals.
• Prepare pricing spreadsheets, analyses, and documentation for Government CO review/approval.
• Provide support for communications with offerors, protest responses, and pricing-related reports.
• Access, populate, and analyze organizational pricing databases.

Earned Value Management (EVM) & Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBR)

• Use Insight or other government software for scope/schedule/cost integration.
• Analyze contractor performance reports, funds status reports, and cost data reports.
• Train IPTs on EVM analysis and support surveillance review teams.
• Assess Performance Measurement Baselines (PMB) during IBRs and evaluate risks, scope, controls, and corrective actions.

Program Integration, Financial Products & Reporting

• Support development of POM and financial documents to align operational requirements with fiscal/manpower resources.
• Provide inputs to program plans, baselines, risk assessments, WBS, SARs, Monthly Acquisition Reports, and DAES.
• Support SARs (life cycle cost analysis, unit costs, breaches).
• Support DAES reporting for program status, risks, unit costs, and estimates.
• Provide functional support for ACAT I MCA documentation per DoDI 5000.02T.
• Provide cost support at acquisition milestone reviews (MCA, ACAT II/III, non-ACAT, Urgent Capability, MTA, Software Acquisition, DBS, Services).
• Support milestone regulatory/statutory documentation, briefing packages, and updates.
• Participate in Operational Readiness Inspections (ORI), developing estimates and documentation for accelerated schedules, configuration changes, or material support.

Cost Data Repository Management

• Develop, maintain, and sustain a directorate cost data repository on a government network.
• Catalog, store, and retrieve all cost reports, data, and estimates (used and unused).
• Provide quarterly PMR status updates.
• Ensure compliance with records management requirements.
• Leverage document management technology (e.g., SharePoint).

Technical Tools & Database Integrity

• Use ACEIT (mandatory).
• Work with additional tools: PRICE TruePlanning, Constructive Cost Model, Oracle Crystal Ball.
• Use Air Force-maintained databases: AFTOC, REMIS.
• Verify accuracy of cost estimating system inputs.
• Support reconciliation and maintenance of financial databases (e.g., REMIS).
• Support mandatory cost data/documentation: 1537s, CSDR, procurement documents, RDOCs, Capital Investment Reports, GAO/AFAA reviews, APB, Award Fee Plans, MAR, CCaRS, Should Cost, Cost Capability Analysis, etc.

What We Offer

• Competitive salaries
• Continuing education assistance
• Professional development allotment
• Multiple healthcare benefits packages
• 401K with employer matching
• Competitive time off policy along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

Who We Are

At Astrion, we innovate, elevate, and shape the world of tomorrow. At our core is our purpose to "Be the Difference". This means we encourage our employees to take action and be the driving force for positive change. We foster an environment where innovative solutions flourish, and our company continuously evolves.

We have a culture of care, empathy, and making a tangible difference within our organization and communities. We embrace continuous learning, growth, and innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We promote collaboration and empowering our teams is at the core of our success.

Be the Difference

Astrion offers comprehensive services that boost preparedness, optimize performance, and ensure success across various domains, from Cyber to Digital, Mission and Systems, servicing our nation's Civilian, Defense and Space communities. We support customers with Centers of Excellence in Washington DC, and Huntsville, AL with an additional 36 locations across the U.S.

Join Astrion and Be the Difference in your career and the world!

Astrion is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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