Principal Cost Estimator Associate

Quantech Services, Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantech Services, Inc. is seeking a Principal Cost Estimator Associate in Colorado Springs. The role focuses on developing credible, defensible cost estimates across the acquisition life cycle, including software components, and supporting POM submissions.

Candidates should have extensive ACEIT experience, a strong foundation in data analysis, and a background in DoD cost policies. The position requires a TS clearance with SCI eligibility, 10% travel, and hybrid/on-site work in Colorado

Qualifications

• Twelve (12) years of cost estimating experience across IS, radars, aircraft and/or spacecraft domains.
• ACEIT exposure of at least five (5) years.
• Microsoft Office Suite experience of at least five (5) years.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and update cost estimates for programs across acquisition life cycle.
• Incorporate software components cost using code metrics and productivity data.
• Prepare estimates supporting POM submissions and Should Cost analyses.
• Create CERs using regression analyses and historical data.
• Develop risk and uncertainty distributions for cost drivers.
• Build complex spreadsheet-based cost models for decision analysis.
• Document methodologies, assumptions, and data sources for estimates.

Skills

Cost estimating

Regression analysis

Risk analysis

Data analysis

Financial modeling

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

ICEAA certification

Tools

ACEIT

SEER

PRICE

Microsoft Office

PMRT

CCaR

EDA

AFTOC

Job description

Principal Cost Estimator Associate

Location: Colorado Springs, CO. Hybrid/Onsite. Some travel may be required (10%). Clearance: Must hold an Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and update credible, defensible, and replicable cost estimates for all programs in the Division’s portfolio in any phase of the acquisition life cycle
• Develop, maintain, and update credible, defensible, and replicable cost estimates for software‑related components of all programs leveraging source/logical/physical lines of code, programming productivity and maintainability, code growth, engineering updates, capability insertion in accordance with the applicable program documents (e.g., Cost Analysis Requirements Description) and the applicable policies and guidance
• Develop, analyze, reconcile, and/or assess Program Office Estimates, Single Best Estimates, Independent Cost Estimates, Independent Cost Analyses, Sufficiency Reviews, Cost Excursions, Rough Orders of Magnitude, Service Cost Positions, Program Contractor Cost Estimate, Program Executive Officer Estimates in support of annual Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions, Should Cost Estimates, Independent Program Assessments, Milestone Cost Estimate Reviews, Interim Program Cost Estimate Reviews, and “what‑if” Cost Estimates
• Analyze historical data and develop analogies and Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs) using regression analysis
• Understand technology trends and analyze impacts on cost
• Develop risk and uncertainty distributions for cost driver variables and Cost Estimating Relationship (CER) equations
• Study, analyze, and develop metrics for complex, modern software development programs
• Build complex spreadsheet‑based program cost models used as decision analysis tools
• Apply statistical concepts to quantify the probability of success for program budget and schedule plans
• Document, identify, and record all data/information required for the development of the cost estimates to include methodologies, assumptions, Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs), inflation rates, growth factors, risk factors, uncertainty factors, program dates, program milestones, etc.
• Support development, creation, integration, and correlation of briefings charts
• Support all cost related activities associated with contract award activities – Acquisition Planning, Draft RFP Release, ESIS, ASP, RFP Release, Technical Evaluation, Source Selection, Contract Negotiation, etc.
• Create Business Case Analyses, Cost Benefit Analyses, and Economic Analyses
• Use prescribed standardized/specialized software applications such as ACE‑IT, SEER, and PRICE; and apply data from Government‑approved published databases
• Possess knowledge of all applicable cost policies and guides – DoDI 5000.73, AFI 65‑508, GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide, JA CSRUH, etc.
• Assist in the development of Program Work Breakdown Structures as required and evaluate approved Contract Work Breakdown Structures to ensure and maintain compliance with Military Standard 881F, Defense Cost and Resource Center, Office of the Secretary of Defense/Cost Assessment and Performance Evaluation requirements
• Support the preparation of Program Office Technical Baselines and Cost Analysis Requirements Descriptions (CARDs) as applicable; ensuring completeness and consistency with other program documents
• Support development, review, and update of all cost related tasks/suspenses, staff packages, and action items
• Support and attend Government/Prime Contractor meetings for information gathering purposes to assist the government in assessing cost estimates
• Assess program performance, cost, and schedule risk as applicable to the cost estimate and appropriately factor any risk and uncertainty into the cost estimates
• Analyze program contractor cost estimates to ensure consistency with Government cost estimating procedures; analyze the contractor BOEs, cross‑check WBS elements or cost drivers
• Provide cost related support to accomplish required Acquisition Reporting, to include, but not limited to, the Monthly Acquisition Report (MAR), the Selected Acquisition Report (SAR), Defense Acquisition Executive Summary (DAES), Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) and Program Management Reviews (PMRs)

Job Requirements

Minimum/General Experience: Twelve (12) years of experience performing cost estimating activities for Information Systems, Radars, Aircraft, and/or Spacecraft commodities in the commercial, industrial, government agencies (only NASA, MDA, NRO, FAA, NGA, DOE), and/or military arena/DoD, of which five (5) years shall include duties/assignments specifically in support of space and/or ground systems that support/tracks space programs. Space programs are defined as systems that pass above Earth’s atmosphere.

• Experience required using standardized and specialized software applications such as Microsoft Office, ACEIT, SEER, PRICE and Government systems and databases including PMRT, CCaR, EDA, AFTOC.
• At a minimum, five (5) years of ACEIT experience
• At a minimum, five (5) years of Microsoft Office Suite experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required in the fields of Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Operations Research, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, Statistics, or Cost Estimating/Analysis; Master’s preferred. Must have 24 semester hours of quantitative analysis, including at least three semester units of calculus.

Certification requirements: ICEAA certification (CCE/A, PCE/A) preferred. Software, Agile, Cloud certification preferred.

Salary

Salary Range: $160,000 – $190,000 (salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as business and market considerations).

Work, Physical, and Mental Requirements

This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets and fax machines. It is largely a sedentary role mostly sitting; however, some filing may be required and the ability to move files or boxes with file data, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary may be needed, including lifting up to 40 lbs. Mental demands include reading, communicating effectively (verbal and written), and maintaining emotional control and professionalism.

We hire military.

Travel

0 – 10%