Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Cost Chief, SYD 89

Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
United States Space Force / Space Systems Command / Systems Delta 89

Summary

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.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/02/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 2, 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
$146,632 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 4
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
Yes
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
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SF-FY26-6S-NH-1515-4-SPLSH
Control number
874452500

Videos

Duties

Help

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, CA is searching for a Cost Chief, SYD 89 (NH-1515-04, GS-14/15 equivalent).

Description:
Are you interested in supporting one of the most exciting and high priority mission areas in the United States Space Force? Come join our team in Space Systems Command! This is a dynamic work environment where programs are evolving to respond to emerging space adversary threats. As the Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Projection Cost Chief, you will lead a team of military and contractor personnel providing cost estimating, earned value management, and schedulers. You and your team will provide essential analytical support to a variety of Space Force Leaders across a portfolio of national interest, classified programs. You will provide program managers with critical analysis, data and cost products required to assess the health of not only the current programs, but also future financial investments, technologies and Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Project programs of the future!


Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics: self-starter, positive attitude, able to work under dynamic environments, and a team player.

Experienced Cost Estimator- years of cost estimating experience; ideally with direct experience in: building space and ground systems; space control mission experience which includes offensive/defensive counterspace and space domain awareness

Strong Leadership - possess experience leading teams and ability to take calculated risks

Creativity - bring new solutions to old problems and look outside the system

Innovative - ability to push the financial management envelop and shift paradigms

Effective Communicator - skills to listen and communicate with a wide range of people across roles, geographies and social identities.


Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Professional knowledge of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific concepts, principles, standards, methods, techniques, practices, and procedures.
2. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of agency, AF, Department of Defense (DoD), and national-level doctrine, regulations, policies, guidelines, requirements, and initiatives related to weapon systems cost analyses; and of security procedures to maintain control of classified material.
3. Knowledge of and skill in applying quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify, and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.
4. Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, and resolve complex issues or problems, and modify standard practices and techniques to solve complex interrelated problems; and using automated financial management systems to accomplish financial management assignments.
5. Skill, judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology; ability to participate in study teams; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints; develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques; and develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques.
6. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, in order to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.


Requirements

Help

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 is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP).
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
  • Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
  • Must have a bachelor's degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in quantitative analysis courses.
  • This is a Financial Management Level (1, 2, or 3) Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Management, Section 1599d.
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.

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.

Space Systems Command

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 - Space Systems Command
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Space Systems Command, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://spaceforce.com

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.