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Cost Analyst, SYD85/S8

Compensation
$104,349–$161,313/year

Job Description

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Major Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, CA is searching for a Cost Analyst for SYD85/S8 (NH-1515-03, GS-12/13 equivalent). Description: Are you a financial strategist ready to make a direct impact on the future of our nation's space capabilities? Space Systems Command (SSC) in El Segundo, California, is seeking a Cost Lead to join System Delta 85, Battle Management, Command, Control, Communications, and Space Intelligence. As a key leader on the S8 Financial Management Team, you won't just be crunching numbers-you will be a trusted advisor to senior leadership, driving the resource planning and critical program decisions that shape a dynamic, high-stakes space portfolio. If you are passionate about translating complex technical requirements into rock-solid financial strategies and want to see your expertise directly influence cutting-edge space acquisitions, this is the job for you! Day-to-day, you will take the reins on planning, leading, and executing comprehensive cost estimating and financial analyses for large-scale, complex programs. You will serve as the expert in the room, partnering closely with program managers and senior leaders to develop the credible cost estimates that form the foundation for vital acquisition and budget decisions. By ensuring the seamless integration of cost analysis across the BMC3I portfolio, your leadership and expert advice will guarantee that our critical space programs are fully resourced, on track, and primed for mission success. Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of developing, presenting, and defending cost estimates, financial metrics, and comprehensive budget analyses for large or complex acquisition programs. You excel in cross-functional environments, working seamlessly alongside program managers, integrated product teams, engineers, logisticians, and other technical experts to translate complex technical requirements into realistic, defensible cost estimates. Additionally, you possess hands-on experience applying Department of War (DoW), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and service-specific cost policies, methodologies, and tools to drive strategic program planning and decision-making. Educationally, you hold a degree in Operations Research, or you have completed at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics, with at least three of those semester hours in calculus. Key Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of a broad range of operations research analysis techniques and possession of analytical abilities. 2. Knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions. 3. Skill to negotiate and/or defend findings and program support concepts. 4. Ability to lead study teams and originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints. 5. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques, and design, build, and use models and simulation techniques. 6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relations.

Qualifications

The 1515 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Promotion Potential

NH-None

How You Will Be Evaluated

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Benefits

View benefits details ↗

Who Can Apply

  • Open to the public

Required Documents

Resume: You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide: Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information: Job title Detailed duties and accomplishments Employer's name and address Supervisor's name and phone number Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.) Hours per week Salary, if applicable Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

How to Apply

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

What to Expect Next

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Other Information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

About the Agency

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available. To learn more about the United States Space Force Mission click here

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Job Details

Category
Business & Finance
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Los Angeles County, California
Posted
May 12, 2026, 01:15 PM
Compensation
$104,349 - $161,313 per year

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Cost Analyst, SYD85/S8
United States Space Force
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