Cost Account Manager - Cost Plus Contracts

Intuitive Machines; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Lanteris Space Systems is seeking a seasoned Cost Account Manager to oversee cost accounts under Cost Plus programs, ensuring accurate tracking of labor, materials, subcontracts, and other direct costs. The role requires strong financial acumen and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, procurement, scheduling, and program management teams.

The successful candidate will monitor variances, develop EACs/ETCs, support monthly closes, and provide cost insights for management reviews.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen required for this role.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8 years of cost account management experience, preferably in aerospace/defense.
• Experience with Cost-Plus government contracts (CPFF, CPAF, CPIF) with responsibility for technical, financial, and contractual performance.
• Experience forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), staffing, and resource planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned cost accounts within the Cost Plus program, ensuring accurate tracking of labor, materials, subcontracts, and other direct costs.
• Monitor budget-to-actual variances and provide timely analysis of cost performance.
• Develop and maintain Estimates at Completion (EAC) and Estimates to Complete (ETC).
• Support monthly financial close processes and reconciliation activities.
• Identify cost trends, risks, and opportunities for cost savings.
• Prepare variance analysis reports and explanations for management review.
• Support Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and other program reviews.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS regulations and contract requirements for Cost Plus programs.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support government audits (DCAA/DCMA) by providing documentation and cost justification.
• Maintain proper cost segregation between contract line items and ensure allowability of costs.
• Partner with project leads, engineers, and program managers to forecast resource needs.
• Collaborate with procurement on subcontract cost management.
• Work with accounting to ensure proper cost allocation and recording.
• Participate in program meetings to provide financial insights and recommendations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Please review the job details below.

Lanteris Space is seeking an experienced Cost Account Manager to support our Cost Plus Civil Space programs for our offices in Palo Alto CA. This role may also be performed remotely within the U.S. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing, monitoring, and reporting cost account performance to ensure compliance with contract requirements, internal financial controls, and program objectives. This role requires strong financial acumen, attention to detail, and the ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, procurement, scheduling and program management teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned cost accounts within the Cost Plus program, ensuring accurate tracking of labor, materials, subcontracts, and other direct costs
• Monitor budget-to-actual variances and provide timely analysis of cost performance
• Develop and maintain Estimates at Completion (EAC) and Estimates to Complete (ETC)
• Support monthly financial close processes and reconciliation activities
• Identify cost trends, risks, and opportunities for cost savings
• Prepare variance analysis reports and explanations for management review
• Support Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and other program reviews
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS regulations and contract requirements for Cost Plus programs
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Support government audits (DCAA/DCMA) by providing documentation and cost justification
• Maintain proper cost segregation between contract line items and ensure allowability of costs
• Partner with project leads, engineers, and program managers to forecast resource needs
• Collaborate with procurement on subcontract cost management
• Work with accounting to ensure proper cost allocation and recording
• Participate in program meetings to provide financial insights and recommendations

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• 8 years of experience in cost account management, preferably in aerospace/defense
• Experience with Cost-Plus government contracts (CPFF, CPAF, CPIF) with responsibility for technical, financial, and contractual performance.
• Experience managing program financials, including forecasting, funding management, Estimates at Completion (EACs), staffing, and resource planning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting or MBA
• Professional certification (CPA, CMA, or EVP certification)
• Knowledge of commercial space architectures, missions, systems, requirements, and acquisition methods required and be able to strategize unique solutions.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development and maintenance
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS)

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $107,000.00 - $178,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within California is: $111,000.00 - $185,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.

The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.