
Cost Engineer – Senior Cost Engineer
The Aerospace Corporation
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: El Segundo • Alabama • California • United States
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Salary
💰 $117,300 - $226,900 per year
Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- Advise customers on acquisition strategies that balance cost, schedule, and risk to enable mission success
- Participate in space system design and evaluation teams and may lead the cost analysis component
- Advise customers on acquisition strategies, balancing cost, schedule, and risk
- Contribute to space system design and evaluation efforts by providing cost insights and identifying cost and schedule risks
- Develop life cycle cost estimates and trade studies to support program direction, funding strategies, and investment decisions
- Work with customers and program offices to develop cost methodologies grounded in cost engineering practices and estimating principles
- Conduct cost research and build or maintain databases, tools, and methodologies that strengthen cost estimating capabilities
- Evaluate contractor proposals and program artifacts to identify cost drivers, risks, and potential gaps
- Apply cost and analytical methods across a range of acquisition environments (e.g., rapid acquisition, OTAs, fixed-price), adapting approaches to support faster program delivery
- Contribute to team development and technical quality through mentoring and peer reviews
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Systems, Industrial), Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Economics (quantitative focus) or related STEM field
- At least 8 years of relevant experience in space systems acquisition, cost/schedule engineering, or advanced decision analytics
- Experience leading the development of life cycle cost estimates and methodologies for complex systems
- Demonstrate ability to collaborate effectively while operating with initiative, adaptability, and sound adjustment in high-visibility, and time-constrained environments
- Exhibits a high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative when responding to dynamic and sometimes short-term requests
- Willingness to travel occasionally to customer sites or work locations
- This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government
- 12 years of experience in cost engineering, cost analysis, or operations research or closely related analytical disciplines supporting space systems acquisition (Senior Engineering Specialist)
- Demonstrated leadership in planning and delivering complex analyses, including managing teams, balancing priorities, and driving results under evolving customer demands
- Proven ability to integrate cost, schedule, and risk insights across EEMS capability areas, applying analytical methods and tools (e.g. Monte Carlo simulation using @RISK, Crystal Ball) to inform program and enterprise-level decisions
- Experience leading cross-functional efforts and synthesizing technical, programmatic, economic, and acquisition considerations to inform program and enterprise-level decisions
- Proven ability to engage senior leaders and translate complex technical and programmatic data into decision insights that inform acquisition strategies, funding profiles, and risk posture
- Recognized technical authority capable of representing the organization at high-visibility technical meetings, reviews, and external engagements.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
cost analysiscost engineeringlife cycle cost estimatescost methodologiesanalytical methodsdecision analyticsrisk assessmentcost estimating capabilitiesprogram directiontrade studies
Soft Skills
collaborationinitiativeadaptabilityinnovationcreativenessleadershipteam managementprioritizationcommunicationmentoring
Certifications
TS/SCI security clearance