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Cost Analysis Branch Chief, SSDP

Department of the Air Force
United States Space Force Forces
United States Space Force / Combat Forces Command / SSDP

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 9, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$91,870 - $142,022 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SF-FY26-6F-NH-1515-3-SPLSH
Control number
871411800

Videos

Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO is searching for a Cost Analysis Branch Chief to support CFC/SSDP (NH-1515-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:
Are you ready to shape the future of the nation's defense in the space domain? The U.S. Space Force is seeking a visionary Cost Analysis Branch Chief to lead critical cost-informed force design guidance at the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) located in Colorado Springs, CO. In this vital role, you will spearhead a broad range of analyses, developing advanced methodologies and mathematical models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of next-generation systems and technologies. Your conclusions will have a major impact on top-level decisions regarding the acquisition of new capabilities that are essential for our national security. We are looking for an expert in operations research with a talent for leading teams, developing innovative analytical techniques, and providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership. This position requires a relevant college degree and MUST HAVE a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. If you are a U.S. citizen ready for a challenging and rewarding career, apply today to become a pivotal part of our mission.

Ideal Candidate:
This position requires a highly cleared, quantitatively skilled professional capable of leading cost estimation and modeling efforts under strict national security guidelines. To qualify for this role, candidates must have a Top Secret/SCI clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility, passing a Counterintelligence Polygraph, and adhering to the Air Force drug testing policy. Academically, the position demands a college degree with at least 24 semester hours in operations research, mathematics, statistics, or related quantitative sciences, alongside compliance with DAWIA requirements. Professionally, the candidate must possess capabilities in strategic planning, cost analysis, and operations research, specifically for defense weapon systems. They must be skilled in building predictive models, running simulations, and utilizing advanced data collection techniques to guide acquisitions under constrained budgets. Finally, the role requires strong strategic leadership and coalition-building skills, with the flexibility to travel for temporary duty assignments.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of processes related to strategic planning and cost estimating activities in order to budget for future systems with a constrained budget.
2. Knowledge of a wide range of methods and techniques used in cost, economic and operations research analysis and possession of analytical abilities; quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions; especially for weapon systems.
3. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques and design, build, and use models and simulation techniques.
4. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations; manage human, financial and information resources strategically and build coalitions to achieve common goals.
5. Ability to identify problems.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret /SCI security clearance.
  • Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
  • Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
  • PCS / relocation funding is authorized.
  • This position is designated as APDP (Acquisition Professional Development Program).
  • 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): 20 days a year.
  • College degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following is required: operations research, mathematics, statistics, mathematical logic, ir science.
  • Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment.

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.

United States Space Force Forces

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

Agency contact information

US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management
Email
HQ.USSF.TalentAcquisition@spaceforce.mil
Address
USSF - United States Space Force Forces
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

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