Cost Analyst

Talentify; Poway (CA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid life insurance and AD&D

Short-term disability coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company!

Company-funded pension plan

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking an experienced Price/Cost Analyst to support negotiations with customers and suppliers from Poway, CA, with potential remote work aligned to PST hours.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years in finance or related fields, strong Excel skills, and deep knowledge of costing, pricing, FAR/DFARS, and government contracting. You will develop cost models, analyze bids, and participate in pricing reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, systems engineering, mathematics, or business administration, or equivalent experience.
• Fifteen or more years of experience in finance, accounting, business analytics, manufacturing estimating, or data analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and creating live cost models.
• Comprehensive understanding of costing and pricing concepts, principles, and standard practices.
• Experience in government contracting and interfacing with audit agencies like DCAA.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and/or CAS regulations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze statistical and proposal data to develop independent price and cost recommendations for negotiations.
• Compile and analyze source data from government or commercial databases to establish price and cost positions.
• Interface with internal functional groups and outside vendors/suppliers to gather information.
• Perform detailed analysis of supplier proposals and supporting documentation to validate labor, material, and other cost elements.
• Conduct fact-finding at supplier locations to review estimates and source documentation.
• Analyze and audit direct/indirect rates at supplier facilities to formulate rate recommendations.
• Perform regression analysis to account for learning or quantity variance.
• Assess the reasonableness of proposed costs and pricing.
• Interpret relevant government regulations, such as FAR & DFARS.
• Develop and maintain cost models and prepare reports, charts, and graphs of findings.
• Participate in cost and pricing reviews with management, customers, and suppliers.
• Contribute to the development and training of professional staff.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and obligations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Verbal and written communication

Costing and pricing concepts

Data analysis

Live cost models

Government contracting experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, systems engineering, mathematics, or business administration

15+ years of experience in finance, accounting, business analytics, manufacturing estimating, or data analysis

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About this job

We are seeking an experienced Price/Cost Analyst to join our team. This role involves exercising considerable latitude in analyzing statistical and proposal data to develop independent price and cost recommendations to support negotiations with customers and suppliers. The position is based in Poway, CA, with the possibility of remote work aligning with Pacific Standard Time hours.

Responsibilities

• Analyze statistical and proposal data to develop independent price and cost recommendations for negotiations.
• Compile and analyze source data from government or commercial databases to establish price and cost positions.
• Interface with internal functional groups and outside vendors/suppliers to gather information.
• Perform detailed analysis of supplier proposals and supporting documentation to validate labor, material, and other cost elements.
• Conduct fact-finding at supplier locations to review estimates and source documentation.
• Analyze and audit direct/indirect rates at supplier facilities to formulate rate recommendations.
• Perform regression analysis to account for learning or quantity variance.
• Assess the reasonableness of proposed costs and pricing.
• Interpret relevant government regulations, such as FAR & DFARS.
• Develop and maintain cost models and prepare reports, charts, and graphs of findings.
• Participate in cost and pricing reviews with management, customers, and suppliers.
• Contribute to the development and training of professional staff.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and obligations.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, systems engineering, mathematics, or business administration, or equivalent experience.
• Fifteen or more years of experience in finance, accounting, business analytics, manufacturing estimating, or data analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and creating live cost models.
• Comprehensive understanding of costing and pricing concepts, principles, and standard practices.
• Experience in government contracting and interfacing with audit agencies like DCAA.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and/or CAS regulations.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze data, and develop solutions to complex problems.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective interaction with other professionals.
• Familiarity with the government procurement process.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in price/cost analysis supporting Department of Defense (DOD) programs.
• Experience interfacing with government auditing agencies (DCAA).
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to work independently and lead in a team environment.
• Flexibility to work extended hours and travel when required.

The role offers a dynamic work environment with potential remote work options. The candidate may report to a facility in Huntsville, AL, aligning with PST hours. Relocation packages are available. The work involves using advanced technologies and software applications, particularly Microsoft Office Suite. The position requires adherence to safety and confidentiality standards, and offers opportunities for professional development and training.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $116000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Short-term disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Company-funded pension plan
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employee assistance programs
• Legal and voluntary supplemental insurance offerings

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Poway,CA.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Each posting applies separately and lists its own pay.