Expert Cost Estimator
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Crystal City, VA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Contract
- Experience
- 15+ years
- Category
- Industrial engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 15 years of professional cost analysis experience.
- Recognized expertise in Air Force and/or Space Force weapon systems cost estimating and analysis.
- Demonstrated mastery of weapon system acquisition and O&S cost drivers, cost methodologies, and life-cycle cost estimating.
- Proven ability to develop innovative cost estimating methodologies and advanced analytical tools.
- Extensive experience collecting, interpreting, and normalizing government cost, schedule, technical, and programmatic data.
- Deep experience with CSDRs, IPMRs/CPRs, and DCARC data collection processes.
- Extensive knowledge of defense operating and support cost databases, including VAMOSC systems.
- Demonstrated expertise in statistical cost and schedule prediction using historical data.
- Proven experience leading cost research teams and mentoring cost analysts.
- Ability to develop defensible analytical methodologies and communicate complex technical findings to government stakeholders.
Nice to have
- Experience supporting AFCAA, OSD CAPE, or other DoD cost estimating organizations.
- Familiarity with CADE, modern cost data environments, and cloud-based analytical platforms.
- Experience with advanced statistical analysis, regression modeling, automation, and cost estimation software.
- Familiarity with Python, R, SQL, or comparable analytical tools.
- Experience supporting enterprise data modernization or cost estimating research initiatives.
- Active Top Secret clearance
Full description
EXPERT COST ESTIMATORWork Location: MUST be able to work locally in Arlington, Virginia
Clearance Requirement: Secret and Top Secret (depending on the program)
INCATech is seeking an Expert Cost Estimator to support the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency (AFCAA) in advancing cost estimating methodologies, analytical models, and enterprise cost data capabilities supporting Department of the Air Force (DAF) acquisition programs.
The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in Air Force and/or Space Force weapon systems cost analysis, including demonstrated mastery of acquisition and operating and support (O&S) cost drivers, advanced estimating techniques, and defense cost data sources. This individual will serve as a technical subject matter expert, lead complex cost research initiatives, mentor other analysts, and develop innovative methodologies and tools that enhance the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of defense cost estimating.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead complex cost research and analytical initiatives supporting Air Force and Space Force weapon systems across acquisition and O&S life-cycle phases.
- Develop, refine, and validate advanced cost estimating methodologies, cost estimating relationships (CERs), schedule estimating relationships (SERs), and predictive analytical models.
- Identify and assess technical, programmatic, and schedule-related cost drivers, using historical data to develop statistically defensible cost and schedule forecasting approaches.
- Direct the collection, evaluation, normalization, and integration of cost, technical, schedule, and programmatic data from Department of Defense and other government sources.
- Apply extensive knowledge of Defense Cost and Resource Center (DCARC) reporting processes, Cost and Software Data Reports (CSDRs), Integrated Program Management Reports (IPMRs), and Contract Performance Reports (CPRs).
- Analyze defense operating and support cost information using systems such as Air Force Total Ownership Cost (AFTOC), Navy VAMOSC, OSMIS, and EVAMOSC.
- Develop and improve advanced cost estimating models, analytical tools, benchmarks, and data-driven methodologies to support weapon system cost analysis.
- Collaborate with data scientists and technical teams to integrate cost estimating expertise into automated data pipelines, enterprise repositories, dashboards, and analytical applications.
- Lead and mentor multidisciplinary cost research teams, provide technical oversight, and ensure the quality and defensibility of analytical products.
- Present methodologies, findings, and recommendations to government technical leads and stakeholders.