Manager, Pricing & Cost Estimating

Stark Aerospace; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark Aerospace Inc. in Columbus, MS seeks an experienced Proposal Pricing Lead to develop and validate cost estimates for complex government bids.

You will manage pricing volumes, run price-to-win analyses, and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS procedures while coordinating cross-functional teams to strengthen capture and proposal outcomes. The role requires 7+ years in government contract pricing, advanced Excel modeling, and a track record in DoD proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or related field.
• 7+ years of government contract pricing or related experience.
• Experience with U.S. Government and DoD proposals.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS/CAS and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data.
• Experience developing cost volumes for competitive and sole-source acquisitions.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal pricing and cost modeling for government bids.
• Prepare bottom-up estimates from labor, material, subcontracts, and direct costs.
• Develop pricing models for various contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M).
• Conduct price-to-win, sensitivity, affordability, and competitive analyses.
• Ensure traceability between technical, management, and cost volumes.
• Support audits and government reviews (DCAA/DCMA).
• Mentor pricing analysts and present pricing recommendations to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with solicitations and evaluation criteria.

Skills

Defense Proposal Pricing

Cost Estimating

Proposal Management

Financial Modeling

Price to Win Analysis

FAR/DFARS Compliance

Risk Assessment

Executive Presentation Skills

Cross Functional Leadership

Strategic Pricing

DCAA/DCMA Audit Support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration/Economics/Engineering/Mathematics or related field

MBA or master's degree or professional certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Proposal Pricing and Cost Modeling

• Lead the development of detailed cost estimates and pricing models for competitive and sole-source government proposals.
• Prepare bottom-up estimates based on labor, material, subcontract, travel, and other direct cost inputs.
• Develop and maintain pricing models for firm fixed price, cost plus, time and materials, and other contract types.
• Conduct price to win, sensitivity, affordability, and competitive analyses to support capture strategy.
• Evaluate cost, schedule, technical, and execution risks and incorporate appropriate pricing assumptions.

Basis of Estimate (BOE)Development

• Collaborate with Engineering, Program Management, Operations, and Subject Matter Experts to develop and validate Basis of Estimate documentation
• Review labor hour estimates, technical assumptions, material requirements, and program execution plans for completeness and realism.
• Ensure traceability between technical, management, and cost proposal volumes.

Cost Volume Management

• Lead preparation of cost and pricing volumes in response to Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quote (RFQs), and other government solicitations.
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation instructions, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements.
• Coordinate cost volume content, pricing narratives, and supporting documentation across multiple functions.

Subcontract and Supplier Pricing Analysis

• Review supplier and subcontractor cost proposals and price quotations
• Perform cost and price analyses to determine price reasonableness and adequacy
• Support subcontract proposal evaluations and negotiations
• Ensure compliance with FAR subcontract cost analysis requirements

Financial Analysis and Indirect Rate Application

• Apply approved indirect rate structures, including fringe, overhead, material handling, and General & Administrative (G&A) rates.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to assess forward pricing rates and long-range financial impacts.
• Analyze profit objectives, investment requirements, and business case considerations

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure proposal compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards, (CAS), and Truthful Cost or pricing Data requirements.
• Maintain audit ready proposal documentation supporting all pricing assumptions and methodologies.
• Interpret regulatory changes and implement compliant estimating practices.

Audit and Government Review Support

• Support Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) audits, fact finding sessions, and proposal reviews.
• Respond to government questions regarding labor, material, indirect rates, and estimating methodologies.
• Prepare supporting analyses and documentation for internal and external audits.

Leadership and Proposal Governance

• Lead pricing reviews during capture and proposal development phases.
• Present pricing recommendations and risk assessments during management reviews including Pink Team, Red Team, and Executive Review sessions.
• Advise senior leadership on pricing strategy, win probability, and financial performance considerations.
• Mentor pricing analysts and estimators and support continuous process improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in government contract pricing, cost estimating, program finance, or proposal management.
• Extensive experience supporting U.S Government and Department of Defense proposal efforts.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS, and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements.
• Experience developing cost volumes for competitive and sole source acquisitions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced proposal environment with aggressive deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, master's degree, or professional certification in Finance, Accounting, or Program Management.
• Experience supporting DCAA and DCMA audits
• Experience with Earned Valus Management Systems (EVMS).
• Knowledge of Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs) and Forward Pricing Rate Recommendations (FPRRs)
• Prior experience within a major aerospace, defense, or government services contractor.
• Experience leading complex capture efforts exceeding $100M in contract value

Key Competencies

• Defense Proposal Pricing
• Cost Estimating
• Proposal Management
• Financial Modeling
• Price to Win Analysis
• Government Contracting
• FAR/DFARS Compliance
• Cost Volume Development
• Indirect Rate Analysis
• DCAA/DCMA Audit Support
• Risk Assessment
• Executive Presentation Skills
• Strategic Pricing
• Cross Functional Leadership