Senior Space Cost Engineer — Strategy & Analysis Lead

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Cost Engineer/Senior Cost Engineer to support the National Security Space Enterprise. You will lead cost analyses, develop cost estimating models, and integrate cost with schedule and risk to inform funding decisions.

This full-time on-site role requires collaboration across teams and delivering defensible, decision-ready cost products for government and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Systems, Industrial), Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Economics or related STEM field.
• At least 8 years of experience in space systems acquisition, cost/schedule engineering, or advanced decision analytics.
• Experience leading the development of life cycle cost estimates and methodologies for complex systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in high-visibility, time-constrained environments.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer sites or work locations; TS/SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Advise customers on acquisition strategies balancing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Lead cost analyses and contribute to space system design and evaluation teams.
• Develop life cycle cost estimates and trade studies to inform funding decisions.
• Create cost methodologies grounded in cost engineering practices and estimating principles.
• Maintain cost databases, tools, and methodologies to strengthen estimating capabilities.
• Evaluate contractor proposals and program artifacts to identify cost drivers and risks.
• Apply cost and analytics methods across various acquisition environments.
• Mentor team members and participate in peer reviews.

Skills

Cost engineering

Life cycle cost

Data analysis

Leadership

Acquisition strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Cost Engineer/Senior Cost Engineer to support the National Security Space Enterprise. You will lead cost analyses, develop cost estimating models, and integrate cost with schedule and risk to inform funding decisions.

This full-time on-site role requires collaboration across teams and delivering defensible, decision-ready cost products for government and commercial customers.