Cost Analyst – SME with Security Clearance
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Description:The Cost Analyst SME delivers high-impact, defensible cost analyses across the lifecycle of large-scale Army programs. This role 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 SME drives analytical rigor, develops traceable methodologies, and communicates financial implications to senior leadership. The Cost Analyst SME brings deep subject matter expertise, fluency with industry-standard tools, and the ability to navigate evolving cost drivers in a dynamic acquisition environment. Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to) • Develop and maintain life cycle cost estimates and documentation based on DoD, GAO, and MIL-STD best practices in support of U.S. Army Program Executive Office (PEO) Enterprise programs, including Program Office Estimates (POEs), Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Affordability Analyses, and Business Case Analyses (BCAs)• 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• 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• Provide recommendations on cost realism and cost reasonableness• 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• Perform Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV) analyses (i.e., manage to budget estimation)• 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• Support centralization and sharing of cost data to improve estimates across the program organization• 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• Contribute to special initiatives requiring expert-level cost analysis to enable data-driven program and budget decisions• Deliver work products including methodology approaches, white papers, executive briefings, and financial reports that clearly communicate recommendations and underlying rationale Required Qualifications:• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Operations Research, Business Analytics, Finance, Applied Mathematics), or a Bachelor's degree in a related field plus an additional two (2) years of relevant experience• 12+ years of professional experience, including 8+ in cost analysis, including 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• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling, data analysis, and scenario simulation• Strong 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• Ability to support short-notice tasks with quick turnaround (within 24 hours before suspense deadlines), ensuring timely responses and proper coordination, collaboration, and configuration control • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing formal briefings and technical reports for senior decision-makers• Proven ability to work independently and 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• Working knowledge of earned value management (EVM), performance-based budgeting, financial risk analysis, and Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE) processes and responsibilities• 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).