Senior Cost Estimating Analyst

Intuitive Machines, LLC; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health and welfare insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Intuitive Machines, LLC is seeking a Senior Cost Estimating Analyst to lead cost estimating for spacecraft programs across commercial and government work. The role can be based in Palo Alto, CA, or performed remotely within the United States.

You will develop bases of estimates, WBS, BOMs, and cost volumes using parametric, build-up, and analogue approaches, ensure FAR/DFARS/CAS compliance, and partner with program management, engineering, finance, and contracts.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, Mathematics, or related technical field; 4 additional years of experience may substitute for a degree.
• Minimum of 5 years cost estimating experience in aerospace, defense, or related technical industry.
• Experience with multiple cost estimating methodologies including parametric, analogy-based, and engineering build-up approaches.
• Experience creating work breakdown structures, bases of estimates, and supporting cost documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost estimating efforts for spacecraft systems, subsystems, and components across commercial and government programs.
• Analyze RFPs, SOWs, TRDs, and other proposal documents to develop accurate cost estimates.
• Collaborate with program management, engineering, finance, and contracts to align technical solutions with cost estimates.
• Create engineering build-up estimates with labor, materials, and other direct costs.
• Generate submission-ready cost estimate documentation including BOEs, BOMs, WBS, and cost volumes.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and other government regulations when applicable.
• Develop parametric cost estimates using SEER-H or TruePlanning.
• Develop CERs and learning curves using historical data.
• Present cost estimates and methodologies to executive leadership.
• Continuously improve estimating processes, tools, and models used by the team.

Skills

Cost estimating

Aerospace systems

RFP/SOW analysis

WBS development

Parametric estimating

CERs/learning curves

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Communication to leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance/Business/Mathematics

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SEER-H (Galorath)

TruePlanning (Unison)

ProPricer

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Intuitive Machines - West is currently seeking a Senior Cost Estimating Analyst to join our team. This position can be based in our Palo Alto, CA office, or performed remotely within the U.S. In this role you will be responsible for leading cost estimating efforts across our commercial and government portfolio. In order to be successful in this role, you must have strong experience in cost estimating for complex aerospace systems and programs. You will need proficiency in multiple estimating approaches including parametric modeling, engineering build-up, and analogy-based methods. This includes developing accurate cost estimates, bases of estimates, work breakdown structures, and supporting new business pursuits and program execution across both commercial and government contracts.

Intuitive Machines - West is a leading provider of comprehensive space technologies. We deliver innovative solutions to government and commercial customers helping them unlock the promise of space to solve problems on Earth and beyond. We address a broad spectrum of needs for our customers, including mission systems engineering, product design, spacecraft manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing. Intuitive Machines - West is a trusted partner in commercial and government missions, combining decades of deep mission understanding with reliable performance and longevity.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead cost estimating efforts for spacecraft systems, subsystems, and components across commercial and government programs
• Analyze Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Technical Requirements Documents (TRDs), and other proposal documentation to develop accurate cost estimates
• Work closely with program management, engineering, finance, and contracts teams to ensure alignment between technical solutions and cost estimates
• Create engineering build-up estimates in collaboration with technical teams, incorporating labor, materials, and other direct costs
• Generate submission-ready cost estimate documentation including bases of estimates (BOEs), bill of materials (BOMs), work breakdown structures (WBS), and cost volumes
• Ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other government regulations when applicable
• Develop detailed parametric cost estimates using industry-standard tools such as SEER-H (Galorath) or TruePlanning (Unison)
• Develop and maintain parametric cost estimating relationships (CERs) based on historical data and industry benchmarks
• Develop learning curve analyses and production rate impacts for recurring spacecraft production
• Present cost estimates and estimating methodologies to executive leadership
• Continuously improve estimating processes, tools, databases, and parametric models used by the team
• Support audit reviews by government agencies when required, ensuring transparency and adherence to cost estimating policies

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, Mathematics, or related technical field. 4 additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of cost estimating experience in aerospace, defense, or related technical industry
• Experience developing cost estimates for complex hardware and/or software systems
• Experience with multiple cost estimating methodologies including parametric, analogy-based, and engineering build-up approaches
• Experience creating work breakdown structures, bases of estimates, and supporting cost documentation

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Master's degree in engineering, finance, business, or related domain
• 10+ years of experience in cost estimating for aerospace or satellite systems
• Experience with parametric cost estimating tools such as SEER-H (Galorath), TruePlanning (Unison), or similar software
• Experience developing and calibrating parametric cost estimating relationships (CERs) using historical data
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS, and TINA for government contract cost estimating
• Experience with both commercial and government (DoD, NASA, Intelligence Community) cost estimating
• Experience with ProPricer or other government proposal pricing software
• Experience with learning curve theory and application to production cost estimates
• Experience presenting to and supporting senior leadership decision-making
• Proven track record of supporting successful commercial and government proposal wins
• Active team player who works well under pressure and can manage multiple concurrent estimates
• Organized, detail-oriented individual with ability to multi-task while maintaining accuracy and quality
• Creativity in solving complex estimating challenges with limited data
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to translate technical requirements into accurate cost estimates
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, macros, data analysis)
• Strong communication skills necessary to explain estimating methodologies and results to technical and business stakeholders

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $76,000.00 - $126,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $76,000.00 - $126,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $76,000.00 - $126,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $83,000.00 - $139,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within California is: $87,000.00 - $145,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.

The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.