The Aerospace Corporation

Cost Engineer – Senior Cost Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: El SegundoAlabamaCaliforniaUnited 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