Research Analyst - Aerospace Cost Analyst

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

Job summary

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) invites applications for a Research Staff Member - Senior Aerospace Cost Analyst in the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD). The role emphasizes independent cost estimates, risk assessment, and data-driven insights for defense programs.

Candidates should have an MS or PhD in a STEM field and 8+ years of relevant experience, with strong communication, leadership, and security-clearance qualifications. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Engineering, OR, Mathematics or Physics with strong cost-analysis background.
• 8+ years of relevant experience or PhD plus aerospace cost-analysis exposure.
• Experience leading cost, resource-allocation, or acquisition analyses for major programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop independent cost estimates and assess cost, schedule and risk for major defense programs.
• Evaluate affordability and long-term resource implications under different scenarios.
• Prepare briefings and reports; present findings to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Lead projects and mentor junior staff; work with sponsors to identify emerging issues.

Skills

Cost estimation

Resource allocation

Acquisition analysis

Aerospace programs

Communication skills

Leadership

Security clearance

Travel

Education

MS/PhD in Engineering/OR/Math/Physics

Tools

Python

R

Cost-estimation software

Job description

Overview

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center supporting the Department of War (DOW) and other federal agencies. IDA's mission is to provide objective analyses of national security issues and related national challenges, particularly those requiring extraordinary scientific and technical expertise. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, independent thinking, and objective results. An opportunity now exists at IDA, homed in the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD), for an experienced Research Staff Member - Senior Aerospace Cost Analyst. CARD engages in applied research supporting resource allocation decisions spanning a broad set of topics within the DOW and for other Federal Agencies. Our research staff provide independent and objective analyses on a wide range of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific, technical, and quantitative expertise. Candidates should have demonstrated successes working on a diverse set of challenging problems throughout their career. Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, strong communication and interpersonal skills will be greatly valued.

Responsibilities

• Develop independent cost estimates and assess the cost, schedule and risk for major defense programs and policy initiatives.
• Evaluate program affordability and long-term resource implications under alternative assumptions, funding profiles and program strategies.
• Analyze historical cost, schedule, technical and performance data to identify trends, risks and key cost drivers.
• Assess the credibility of government and contractor cost estimates, underlying assumptions, methodologies and data sources.
• Improve analytical methods, models and data-collection practices to strengthen the quality and transparency of cost analysis.
• Individually or in team, prepares briefings and reports documenting conclusions, findings, and recommendations; may be asked to present project findings to task sponsor or other interested stakeholders
• Serves as project leader to one or more projects
• Works with other researchers and sponsors to identify, prioritize, and communicate emerging issues for IDA, its sponsors, and the community
• Develops and sustains working relationships with sponsors
• Mentors and develops careers of junior staff

Minimum Job Qualifications

Education/Experience: MS+8 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Materials Science, or Physics.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience conducting or leading cost, resource-allocation, or acquisition analyses for major DOW or other U.S. Government programs
• Experience supporting aerospace programs, broadly defined to include space systems, aircraft, missiles and munitions, propulsion, launch, and associated ground, range, or test infrastructure
• Working knowledge of cost estimation methods, including parametric estimation, and of schedule-risk and technical-feasibility assessment
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in an unstructured environment
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with government and industry representatives
• Proven innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Travel may be required
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and execution of research projects, and experience mentoring junior staff
• Knowledge of DOW organizations, functions, and processes, especially those within the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, the Test Resource Management Center, and other offices within the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
• Working knowledge of DOW acquisition processes
• Experience with risk and uncertainty analysis
• Proficiency in Python, R, or an equivalent language for cost analytics, data wrangling, and model automation
• Prior experience at an FFRDC, OSW CAPE, a service cost agency (AFCAA, NCCA, ACEIT/CEAC), a cost-analysis consultancy, or a program-office cost shop
• Professional certification (ICEAA CCEA, DAWIA Business - Cost Estimating Level III, or equivalent)
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Compensation

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 - $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent's experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a fair recruiting process and working environment free from discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

IDA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

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