Cost Volume Lead

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking an experienced Cost Volume Lead to drive proposal pricing and cost volume development across national security, civil, and commercial space pursuits. You will own pricing strategy, Basis of Estimate creation, and coordination with capture, finance, contracts, and engineering teams.

This role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of federal pricing experience, strong financial modeling, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Economics, Accounting, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience supporting federal government proposal pricing and cost volume development.
• Experience developing pricing strategies for cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, T&M, OTA, and subcontracting environments.
• Strong understanding of government cost realism, price reasonableness, affordability, and source selection processes.
• Experience coordinating subcontractor pricing inputs and supporting negotiations, audits, and fact-finding activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal pricing strategy development and cost volume execution across federal, defense, civil, and commercial pursuits.
• Develop BOE documentation and supporting cost rationale for labor, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
• Coordinate subcontractor pricing activities and evaluate cost proposals for integration into pricing strategies.
• Create compliant cost volumes and narratives aligned with solicitation requirements.
• Perform competitive pricing assessments, affordability analyses, and market research.

Skills

Pricing strategy

Cost volume development

Financial modeling

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Communications

Bid/Proposal management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Cost Volume Lead to drive proposal pricing strategy and cost volume development across national security, civil, and commercial space pursuits. In this role, you will lead all aspects of proposal pricing, cost strategy development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) creation, subcontractor pricing coordination, and cost volume preparation while collaborating closely with capture, finance, contracts, engineering, and executive leadership teams.

You will play a critical role in helping Quantum Space win complex and highly competitive opportunities by developing compliant, compelling, and competitive pricing solutions that align customer requirements, business objectives, and mission success. This position is ideal for a pricing professional who combines deep federal acquisition expertise with strong analytical, financial, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Lead proposal pricing strategy development and cost volume execution across federal, defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial pursuits
• Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation and supporting cost rationale for labor, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost elements
• Coordinate subcontractor pricing activities, evaluate cost proposals, and ensure integration into overall pricing strategies
• Create compliant, compelling, and defensible cost volumes and pricing narratives aligned with solicitation requirements
• Perform competitive pricing assessments, affordability analyses, and market research to inform bid strategies
• Develop and maintain pricing models, cost tools, templates, and estimation methodologies
• Collaborate with capture managers, proposal managers, engineers, program managers, contracts professionals, and finance teams to align pricing with overall pursuit strategy
• Support proposal reviews, customer discussions, negotiations, audits, fact-finding activities, and pricing inquiries
• Ensure compliance with solicitation instructions, FAR/DFARS requirements, and applicable government pricing regulations
• Evaluate cost realism, execution risk, profitability objectives, and pricing competitiveness throughout the proposal lifecycle
• Support multiple concurrent proposal efforts in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen pricing processes, tools, and organizational capabilities

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Economics, Accounting, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience supporting federal government proposal pricing and cost volume development
• Experience developing pricing strategies for cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, Time & Materials (T&M), OTA, and subcontracting environments
• Strong understanding of government cost realism, price reasonableness, affordability, and source selection evaluation processes
• Demonstrated experience developing Basis of Estimates (BOEs), pricing narratives, and proposal cost volumes
• Experience coordinating subcontractor pricing inputs and supporting negotiations, audits, and fact-finding activities
• Strong financial modeling, cost estimating, analytical, and business case development skills
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical, business, and executive teams
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven proposal environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), AFRL, NASA, NRO, OSD, or other federal space and defense customers
• Experience pricing aerospace, defense, intelligence, or space-related programs
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), program finance, and cost analysis methodologies
• Experience supporting strategic captures, competitive assessments, and bid/no-bid decisions
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and government contracting regulations
• Experience supporting proposal efforts involving advanced technology development, spacecraft, launch, or defense systems
• Experience developing and implementing pricing tools, templates, and process improvements
• MBA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant professional certifications

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead pricing strategy and cost volume development for mission-critical opportunities that directly impact company growth
• Innovation – Support transformative aerospace and defense programs enabling next-generation space mobility and operations
• Impact – Help shape winning proposals that deliver critical capabilities to national security, civil, and commercial customers
• Growth – Join a collaborative team operating at the intersection of strategy, business development, finance, and space technology
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $110,000 to $150,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

What You’ll Get
Ownership – Lead pricing strategy and cost volume development for mission-critical opportunities that directly impact company growth
Innovation – Support transformative aerospace and defense programs enabling next-generation space mobility and operations
Impact – Help shape winning proposals that deliver critical capabilities to national security, civil, and commercial customers
Growth – Join a collaborative team operating at the intersection of strategy, business development, finance, and space technology
Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $110,000 to $150,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.