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Cost Lead, SYD 85/S8

Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
System Delta 85
This job announcement has closed

Summary

To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.

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Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
11/18/2025 to 11/25/2025
Salary
$103,316 to - $159,716 per year

Salary is dependent upon duty location, grade, step and locality pay. Equivalent to GS-12/13

Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Los Angeles County, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AF-FY26-6S-NH-1515-3-SPLASH
Control number
850318800

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Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California is searching for a Cost Lead (NH-1515-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Cost Lead to plan, lead, and execute complex cost estimating and financial analysis for assigned programs and projects. The successful candidate will provide expert cost and financial analysis support to program managers and senior leadership, playing a critical role in informing program decisions and strategic resource planning. This role requires a deep understanding of cost management principles and the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing and presenting cost estimates, financial metrics, and budget analyses for large or complex acquisition programs. Working closely with program managers, integrated product teams, engineers, logisticians, and other functional experts to translate technical requirements into defensible cost estimates. Applying DoW, OMB, and service-specific cost policies, methodologies, and tools to support decision-making and program planning. Degree in operation research or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operation research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science or subject-matter course requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been 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, 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • This position has been designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
  • Must have a bachelor's degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in quantitative analysis courses.
  • This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • This is a Financial Management Level 2 Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Management, Section 1599d.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
  • PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

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.

Additional 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

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