Acquisition Lifecycle Cost Analyst

Guidehouse; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Sick Time

Holidays and Paid Time Off

Bonus Eligibility

Parental Leave

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Health Savings Account

Disability Insurance

Student Loan PayDown

Tuition Reimbursement

Skills Certification

Employee Referral Program

Community Outreach Programs

Mobility Stipend

Childcare Support

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a lifecycle cost estimator in Washington, DC to develop and maintain Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs) across the full program lifecycle, from concept through sustainment. You will build robust cost models, conduct detailed analyses, and support budgeting and decision-making for government programs.

The role requires a Bachelors degree and 3+ years of cost estimation experience, including LCCE, with the ability to obtain CBP Public Trust prior to onboarding.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required.
• 3+ years in cost estimation and/or analysis, including Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE).
• Ability to obtain CBP Public Trust prior to onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs) in accordance with regulatory guidance (OMB, GAO, DoD, DHS).
• Build cost models that capture acquisition, operations, maintenance, and disposal phases of programs or systems.
• Conduct cost analyses including parametric, analogy-based, engineering build-up, and extrapolation techniques.
• Perform cost risk and uncertainty analyses using tools such as Monte Carlo simulations.
• Analyze historical cost data and normalize datasets for use in estimating models.
• Collaborate with program managers, engineers, and financial analysts to gather inputs and validate assumptions.
• Support budget formulation, justification, and execution activities with detailed cost estimates.
• Prepare cost documentation, including Basis of Estimate (BOE), assumptions, methodologies, and supporting analysis.
• Develop and present cost briefings to stakeholders, leadership, and review boards.
• Evaluate program alternatives and conduct trade-off analyses to support cost-effective decision-making.
• Participate in independent cost estimates (ICEs), cost reviews, and audit support activities.
• Contribute to the development of cost estimating standards, processes, and best practices.
• Provide ongoing updates to estimates as program requirements evolve.

Skills

Life cycle cost estimates

Cost analysis

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelors degree

Tools

Monte Carlo simulations

Job description

Job Family:

Management Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

We are looking for a lifecycle cost estimator with experience in developing, analyzing, and maintaining life-cycle cost models to support program planning, budgeting, and decision-making. This role focuses on applying cost estimating methodologies across the full system lifecycle—from concept development through operations and sustainment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, attention to detail, self-motivation, and the ability to translate complex cost data into actionable insights for stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs) in accordance with regulatory guidance (e.g., OMB, GAO, DoD, DHS)
• Build cost models that capture acquisition, operations, maintenance, and disposal phases of programs or systems
• Conduct cost analyses including parametric, analogy-based, engineering build-up, and extrapolation techniques
• Perform cost risk and uncertainty analyses using tools such as Monte Carlo simulations
• Analyze historical cost data and normalize datasets for use in estimating models
• Collaborate with program managers, engineers, and financial analysts to gather inputs and validate assumptions
• Support budget formulation, justification, and execution activities with detailed cost estimates
• Prepare cost documentation, including Basis of Estimate (BOE), assumptions, methodologies, and supporting analysis
• Develop and present cost briefings to stakeholders, leadership, and review boards
• Evaluate program alternatives and conduct trade-off analyses to support cost-effective decision-making
• Participate in independent cost estimates (ICEs), cost reviews, and audit support activities
• Contribute to the development of cost estimating standards, processes, and best practices
• Provide ongoing updates to estimates as program requirements evolve

What You Will Need:

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a CBP “PUBLIC TRUST”; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of their CBP PUBLIC TRUST prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE CBP PUBLIC TRUST or SUITABILITY are preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree
• THREE (3) or more years’ of experience in cost estimation and/or analysis; including Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE)

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED CBP PUBLIC TRUST or Top Secret
• Experience supporting acquisition programs across multiple lifecycle phases
• Experience working in Agile or Hybrid-Agile environments
• Experience working with structured cost estimating methodologies and frameworks
• Experience supporting government programs with defined cost reporting requirements
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to communicate complex cost drivers and assumptions to non-technical stakeholders

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail].

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail].

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.