Cost Analyst SME

ADEPT Force Group Incorporated; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Adept Force Group Incorporated in Crystal City, VA, seeks a seasoned Cost Analyst (SME) to lead defensible cost analyses for large DoD programs. You will build cost models, conduct lifecycle cost work, and produce outputs aligned with DoD/GAO standards.

The role requires deep expertise with ACEIT, advanced Excel, and agile cost estimating. Strong communication with senior leaders and the ability to work in a fast-paced program office are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s with 2+ years relevant experience
• 12+ years professional experience, incl. 8+ in cost analysis
• Experience supporting large DoD software programs
• ACEIT proficiency for cost analyses and models
• Advanced Excel for cost modeling and data analysis
• Experience with agile cost estimating and SAFe/Scrum
• DoD cost policies and standards knowledge
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience presenting to senior leaders
• Independent, multitask in high tempo environments
• MS Office Suite, SharePoint, Teams experience
• Secret clearance holder

Responsibilities

• Develop program cost estimates and documentation (POEs, LCCEs, BCAs, ROMs)
• Create and maintain traceable cost models with DoD/GAO guidance
• Use ACEIT to build, analyze, defend cost models and establish cost baselines
• Conduct cost risk assessments and tradeoff analyses for decisions
• Prepare briefing materials and structured cost documents for milestones
• Validate estimates and review submissions with the program team
• Assess cost realism and affordability in agile planning cycles
• Maintain ground rules and planning factors for all estimates
• Contribute to special cost-analysis initiatives for data-driven decisions
• Produce white papers and executive briefings with clear rationale

Skills

ACEIT

Excel

Power BI

Agile SAFe

Scrum Master

Communication

Cost policy knowledge

Education

Master's degree in OR/Analytics/Finance/Applied Math

Bachelor's + 2 years relevant experience

Tools

ACEIT

Excel

Power BI

Jira/Azure DevOps/Confluence

SharePoint

Teams

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Cost Analyst (Subject Matter Expert (SME))

Clearance: Secret

Program: Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A)

Location: Crystal City, VA

Type: Exempt, Full Time, Regular

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Description: _ ****_ The Cost Analyst (SME) will deliver high-impact, defensible cost analyses across the life cycle of large-scale Government programs. The Cost Analyst (SME) will develop cost estimating models, conduct life cycle cost analysis, and deliver comprehensive cost products aligned with Department of Defense (DoD) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) standards. Working within a collaborative, Agile-influenced program office environment, the Cost Analyst (SME) will drive analytical rigor, develop traceable methodologies, and communicate financial positions and implications to senior leadership. The Cost Analyst (SME) brings deep subject matter expertise, fluency with industry-standard tools, and the ability to navigate evolving cost drivers in a dynamic acquisition environment.

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Duties and Responsibilities ** :**

• Develop program cost estimates and documentation in support of Government Program Management Offices (PMOs), including Program Office Estimates (POEs), Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Affordability Analyses, Business Case Analyses (BCAs), and Rough Orders of Magnitude (ROMs)
• Create and maintain cost models using traceable methodologies and risk-adjusted estimates aligned with DoD and GAO guidance
• Use the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) suite to build, analyze, and defend cost models, and establish an authoritative cost baseline in support of acquisition planning
• Conduct cost risk assessments and contribute to cost/performance tradeoff analyses to inform strategic and tactical decision-making
• Prepare briefing materials, templates, and structured documentation to convey cost positions and implications at key planning and milestone events
• Validate internally developed estimates and review program team submissions, tailoring validation standards as needed based on scope and context
• Evaluate cost realism and affordability in the context of agile planning cycles, iterative development, or shifting program priorities
• Maintain ground rules, assumptions, planning factors, limitations, constraints, methods, and updates for all cost estimates in accordance with evolving requirements and best practices
• Contribute to special initiatives requiring expert-level cost analysis to enable data-driven program and budget decisions
• Deliver work products including white papers, executive briefings, and financial reports that clearly communicate recommendations and underlying rationale

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Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Operations Research, Business Analytics, Finance, Applied Mathematics), or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus an additional two (2) years of relevant experience
• 12+ years of professional experience, including 8+ in cost analysis, including development of DoD cost estimates, life cycle cost models, and cost documentation
• Extensive experience supporting large-scale DoD software acquisition programs
• Demonstrated expertise using ACEIT for building, managing, and defending cost analyses and cost models
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling, data analysis, and scenario simulation
• Experience with agile cost estimating practices and models
• Agile certification (e.g., Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Agilist or Scrum Master)
• Strong knowledge of applicable DoD cost policies and standards
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive experience preparing and delivering formal briefings and metrics-based reports for senior decision-makers (e.g., executive leadership, program managers, and budget authorities)
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and take on a proactive role in a high-tempo environment
• Experience and proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Word), SharePoint, and Teams
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Must possess and maintain a Secret Security Clearance

** Desired Qualifications:**

• Proficiency with Power BI or similar tools for data visualization and cost reporting dashboards
• Experience with Agile collaboration and development tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow)
• Working knowledge of earned value management (EVM), performance-based budgeting, or financial risk analysis
• Strong customer service and excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to listen and understand task descriptions and requests
• Ability to explain problem resolutions
• Ability to quickly respond to time-critical queries from leadership

If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the hiring official or human resources representative. Reasonable accommodations are provided to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).