Senior Estimator – Top Secret/SCI

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior cost estimator to coordinate, develop, and present cost estimates for both commercial and government customers. The role involves creating Basis of Estimate narratives, supporting proposal activities, and ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related regulations within aerospace domains.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience, advanced Excel skills, and a track record of building robust cost models and proformas for complex programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 8+ years' experience in cost estimation or related field.
• In-depth understanding of FAR, DFARS, NFS, and other US Government regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret RFPs, SOWs, and cost documents.
• Advanced expertise in cost estimates, proformas, and business models.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• U.S. citizen or eligible for U.S. government clearance (TS/SCI).
• Aerospace/launch vehicle domain experience.
• Experience building estimating, pricing, and cost management models.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, collaborate, and develop cost estimates for proposals.
• Review and present cost estimates in line with requirements.
• Support proposal activities for government customers.
• Develop estimates across rocket propulsion and launch services.
• Lead cost volume development and pricing efforts throughout the proposal lifecycle.
• Write Basis of Estimate narratives documenting estimating approaches.
• Collaborate with cost professionals to deliver high-quality estimates.
• Contribute to improving estimating practices and processes.
• Develop comprehensive proposals using internal tools and processes.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Cultural Inclusion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Blue Origin Tools

Excel Models

Job description

• Coordinate, collaborate, develop, review, and present cost estimates in compliance with internal and external requirements
• Support proposal activities for commercial and government customers
• Develop cost estimates for Internal Research & Development efforts
• Prepare cost estimates across liquid rocket propulsion, suborbital launch services, orbital launch services, lunar landing services, and in-space applications
• Perform concurrent estimating activities involving varied stakeholders, complexities, scope definitions, and magnitudes
• Write Basis of Estimate narratives documenting and rationalizing estimating approaches
• Collaborate with cost professionals to deliver high-quality estimates
• Contribute to developing and improving estimating practices and processes
• Support and lead cost volume development and estimating/pricing activities across the proposal lifecycle
• Develop comprehensive proposals using Blue Origin tools and processes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 8+ years' experience
• In-depth understanding of FAR, DFARS, NFS, Business Systems Criteria, and other US Government regulations and compliance requirements
• Ability to read and understand proposal documents including RFPs, SOWs, and relevant customer-provided cost-related documents
• Advanced professional expertise in cost competitive, well-supported, and accurate cost estimates, proformas, and business models
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident/current Green Card holder, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
• Aerospace, spacecraft, launch vehicle, or relevant domain experience
• Experience building estimating, pricing, and cost management models and using typical industry tools
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and ability to interpret complex Excel models
• Current TS/SCI

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing accurate cost estimates and proposals for aerospace projects, with a strong understanding of government regulations and compliance. Proficient in collaborating with stakeholders to enhance estimating practices and deliver high-quality cost management solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Cost Estimation
• FAR Compliance
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Proposal Development
• Aerospace Domain Experience

Hard Skills

• Cost Competitive Estimates
• Business Models
• Estimating Practices
• Pricing Models
• Cost Management Models

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Relationship Building
• Cultural Inclusion

Certifications & Qualifications

• Current TS/SCI

Industry Keywords

• Aerospace
• Spacecraft
• Launch Vehicle
• Government Regulations
• Proposal Documents

Tools & Technologies

• Blue Origin Tools
• Excel Models