Deputy Cost Chief

Summary

Deputy Cost Chief

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Systems Delta 85 (SYD 85) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Deputy Cost Chief (NH-1515-04, GS 14/15 equivalent). Ready to drive decisive analytical power behind next-generation national defense investments? Join an elite acquisition team as an Operations Research Analyst (Deputy Cost Chief), where you will lead, inspire, and mentor a premier cadre of quantitative analysts building the foundational financial architecture for major defense acquisition programs. In this high-visibility strategic leadership role, you will champion analytical rigor by guiding the formulation, evaluation, and executive defense of multi-billion-dollar cost baselines, while serving as a trusted primary advisor to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities on advanced cost policy, quantitative risk modeling, and long-range resource strategy-delivering mission-critical fiscal clarity and safeguarding national resources.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished quantitative leader holding a degree in operations research-or at least 24 semester hours in operations research, mathematics, statistics, probability, logic, or related sciences with a minimum of three semester hours in calculus-with proven expertise directing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing cost analysis teams across major defense acquisition portfolios. Bringing extensive hands-on experience in building, rigorously evaluating, and executive-defending multi-billion-dollar cost estimates, complex risk models, and quantitative financial analyses, this professional couples sharp analytical acumen with seasoned communication skills to provide authoritative strategic guidance on cost methodologies, financial policies, and long-range resource strategy to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of commonly used financial management and cost analysis methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes applicable to all phases of an acquisition program from initial development through sustainment and disposal.
2. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
3. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Skill in the application of analytical methods and techniques (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, amortization, depreciation, regression analysis, and pro-rating revenues and costs among customers). Also applies mathematical and statistical analyses for EVM and various cost estimating techniques to analyze and evaluate the effects of changes in acquisition program plans and funding and conduct economic and cost studies and analyses.
6. Ability to design, build and use models and simulation techniques; ability to use standard-type models to simulate real-world environments.
7. Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze data to prepare budget/financial cost estimates, develop alternatives, funding requirements, and make recommendations to resolve financial/funding problems and provide policy and guidance.
8. Knowledge of Programming, Planning and Budgeting System policies, procedures and required documentation.
9. Knowledge of engineering and technical terminology sufficient to allow an effective interchange of technical information and its cost implications and application.
10. Knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems and how to assess the contractor's application.
11. Skill in formulating, justifying and/or analyzing financial requirements of the assigned program.
12. Knowledge of programs and their financial requirements to provide leadership, guidance, and direction to teams comprised of members with diverse backgrounds and advocating conflicting approaches to the resolution of financial issues.
13. Expert knowledge of the acquisition and funding processes which directly impact the mission.

Job Description

Deputy Cost Chief

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Systems Delta 85 (SYD 85) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Deputy Cost Chief (NH-1515-04, GS 14/15 equivalent). Ready to drive decisive analytical power behind next-generation national defense investments? Join an elite acquisition team as an Operations Research Analyst (Deputy Cost Chief), where you will lead, inspire, and mentor a premier cadre of quantitative analysts building the foundational financial architecture for major defense acquisition programs. In this high-visibility strategic leadership role, you will champion analytical rigor by guiding the formulation, evaluation, and executive defense of multi-billion-dollar cost baselines, while serving as a trusted primary advisor to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities on advanced cost policy, quantitative risk modeling, and long-range resource strategy-delivering mission-critical fiscal clarity and safeguarding national resources.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished quantitative leader holding a degree in operations research-or at least 24 semester hours in operations research, mathematics, statistics, probability, logic, or related sciences with a minimum of three semester hours in calculus-with proven expertise directing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing cost analysis teams across major defense acquisition portfolios. Bringing extensive hands-on experience in building, rigorously evaluating, and executive-defending multi-billion-dollar cost estimates, complex risk models, and quantitative financial analyses, this professional couples sharp analytical acumen with seasoned communication skills to provide authoritative strategic guidance on cost methodologies, financial policies, and long-range resource strategy to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of commonly used financial management and cost analysis methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes applicable to all phases of an acquisition program from initial development through sustainment and disposal.
2. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
3. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Skill in the application of analytical methods and techniques (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, amortization, depreciation, regression analysis, and pro-rating revenues and costs among customers). Also applies mathematical and statistical analyses for EVM and various cost estimating techniques to analyze and evaluate the effects of changes in acquisition program plans and funding and conduct economic and cost studies and analyses.
6. Ability to design, build and use models and simulation techniques; ability to use standard-type models to simulate real-world environments.
7. Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze data to prepare budget/financial cost estimates, develop alternatives, funding requirements, and make recommendations to resolve financial/funding problems and provide policy and guidance.
8. Knowledge of Programming, Planning and Budgeting System policies, procedures and required documentation.
9. Knowledge of engineering and technical terminology sufficient to allow an effective interchange of technical information and its cost implications and application.
10. Knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems and how to assess the contractor's application.
11. Skill in formulating, justifying and/or analyzing financial requirements of the assigned program.
12. Knowledge of programs and their financial requirements to provide leadership, guidance, and direction to teams comprised of members with diverse backgrounds and advocating conflicting approaches to the resolution of financial issues.
13. Expert knowledge of the acquisition and funding processes which directly impact the mission.