Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

SPA's Veracity Forecasting Group has an immediate need for a cost analyst with 10 or more years professional experience in Cost Estimating/Engineering or Operations Research.

Operations research analysts help determine better ways to coordinate and manage large organizations that require the effective use of money, materials, equipment, and people. This is accomplished by applying analytical methods from mathematics, science, and engineering. Operations research analysts may be concerned with diverse issues such as top-level strategy, planning, forecasting, resource allocation, performance measurement, scheduling, the design of production facilities and systems, supply chain management, pricing, transportation and distribution, and the analysis of large databases. Analysts gather information, then select the most appropriate analytical technique. Analysts can use any of several techniques, including simulation, linear and nonlinear programming, dynamic programming, queuing and other stochastic-process models, and the analytic hierarchy process. #MC

Cost Estimating responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain cost estimates for equipment or systems with associated software, support equipment and software, and logistics costs in support of the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process
• Provide cost data to support the development of budgets, Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE), Total Ownership Costs (TOC), proposed procurement alternatives, Engineering Change Proposals and program/project plans in support of fully developed and approved design and modernization programs
• Provide cost engineering support to program offices in support of Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process. Conduct analysis of funding requests, develop independent cost estimates for tasking as needed, synthesize funding requests across the program office for analysis of funding allocations at a total level, and create mandatory funding request documentation such as Task Planning Sheets and Spend Plans
• Support the development of Cost Analysis Requirement Documents (CARD) that integrate cost, schedule, technical, and risk requirements into a single document to be used by the program office, and other organizations to perform cost, schedule, and risk analyses
• Conduct of Affordability / Should Cost analyses with the intent of driving efficiencies into estimates and program costs, and provide support in developing engineering cost models to allow for Should Cost
• Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) cost, schedule, and performance managemen

Most techniques involve the construction of mathematical models that attempt to describe the system being studied. The use of models enables the analyst to assign values to the different components and clarify the relationships among them. The values can be altered to examine what may happen to the system under different circumstances. 

Required Qualifications:

• MS/MA in Engineering discipline, Operations Research, Mathematics, Economic Analysis or related technical degree
• Experience in Cost Estimating/Engineering or Operations Research
• Experience with either Major Acquisition Category (ACAT) programs and/or Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) programs
• 10 years of experience in cost estimating reporting and acquisition decision support
• DoD Secret clearance required, with the ability to maintain it throughout employment

Desired Qualifications: 

• ICEAA certification
• Programming language experience (Python, R, etc)