Defense Cost Estimator & Analytics Specialist

Institute for Defense Analyses; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in the United States is seeking a Research Staff Member - Cost Estimator in its Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD). The role spans multiple defense programs and requires building cost models, validating data, and performing risk analyses.

You will present results to sponsors and contribute to methodological improvements. Qualified candidates have advanced degrees in quantitative fields and strong programming/data skills; U.S.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Operations Research, Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Materials Science, Finance, or a related quantitative field; OR a Master's degree in one of those fields with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing or directly supporting cost estimates, budget analyses, or comparable quantitative analyses of complex systems or programs in government, FFRDC, industry, or research settings.
• Working knowledge of several cost estimating methods - parametric or regression-based estimation, analogy, engineering build-up, or learning-curve analysis - and ability to learn others.
• Strong quantitative and data-handling skills, including spreadsheet-based modeling and familiarity with Python, R, or equivalent.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar technical subjects quickly and work across programs in different domains.
• Attention to documentation and analytic reproducibility.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team, managing time across concurrent tasks.
• Clear written and oral communication, including ability to explain quantitative results to non-specialists.
• Ability to interact professionally with government and industry representatives.
• Travel may be required.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance is required.
• Experience supporting DOD/FFRDC programs and knowledge of acquisition processes (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop cost estimates and cost element structures for defense programs with technical project leaders.
• Collect, normalize, and validate cost, schedule, technical, and programmatic data from government and contractor sources.
• Build, document, and maintain cost models using parametric, analogy, and engineering build-up methods.
• Conduct cost-risk, uncertainty, and sensitivity analyses and examine affordability under different funding profiles.
• Assess reasonableness of government and contractor estimates and underlying data.
• Apply toolkit across varied programs, adapting methods to maturity and data availability.
• Document methods, data lineage, and results for transparency and reproducibility.
• Draft sections of briefs and reports; present results to project leaders and sponsors.
• Contribute to improvements in analytical methods, models, data collections, and tooling.
• Support multiple tasks and meet sponsor deadlines.

Skills

Cost estimation methods

Parametric estimation

Data handling

Python/R

Communication

Adaptability

Project collaboration

Security clearance

Education

PhD in OR/ Economics/ Statistics/ Engineering/ Applied Math/ Physics/ Finance

Masters +3+ years relevant experience

Tools

ACEIT/CEAC

@RISK

Crystal Ball

Job description

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in the United States is seeking a Research Staff Member - Cost Estimator in its Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD). The role spans multiple defense programs and requires building cost models, validating data, and performing risk analyses.

You will present results to sponsors and contribute to methodological improvements. Qualified candidates have advanced degrees in quantitative fields and strong programming/data skills; U.S.