Engineering Economics & Cost Analytics Lead Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) offers unparalleled expertise in systems engineering to the U.S. government and various public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced development and application of space systems. From systems CONOPs and architecture development to system design and analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED leverages a vast array of engineering and business disciplines across a diverse and dynamic portfolio of space programs and national challenges spanning the total space system lifecycle.

Aerospace’s Engineering Economic and Management Sciences (EEMS) Department is seeking an Engineering Economics & Cost Analytics Lead Engineer to join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team of cost, schedule, and operations research professionals. This growing, geographically distributed department supports a wide range of customers across the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. EEMS leverages expertise in cost, schedule, and economic engineering, along with operations research and management science techniques, to enhance cost- and schedule-related decision-making processes. The department also conducts integrated studies, technical deep dives, and comprehensive reviews that provide actionable insights and uncover risks and opportunities. These efforts enable decision-makers to balance trade-offs, optimize resource allocation, and develop robust solutions tailored to mission-critical challenges. By synthesizing lessons learned from a variety of programs, EEMS continually refines engineering management practices in cost, schedule, and risk analysis to deliver impactful and enduring results. 

Work Model: This position is full-time work at one of the following locations: El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA. We offer a hybrid work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing.

• Serve as the Capability Area Lead for the Cost Engineering section within EEMS, providing technical leadership, direction, and stewardship of the capability across the department.
• Lead cost engineering and economic analyses, including LCCEs, ICEs, IGCEs, affordability and cost-risk assessments, cost realism and should-cost analyses, source selections and proposal evaluations, and related acquisition, investment, and business-case studies.
• Provide independent, data-driven advice to government customers and program offices by translating complex analyses into clear insights that support acquisition, program, investment, pricing, and business decisions.
• Advance cost engineering methodologies, models, tools, data practices, standards, and peer-review processes for government and commercial applications.
• Lead and mentor staff, fostering technical excellence, analytical rigor, and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate across EEMS with Schedule Engineering, Operations Research and Management Sciences, and Acquisition Engineering Research sections to deliver integrated solutions to multidisciplinary challenges.
• Help grow EEMS work by identifying customer needs, developing technical approaches and scopes of work, strengthening relationships, and creating cross-capability opportunities across government and commercial markets.
• Support business development and capture through proposals, statements of work, technical volumes, pricing strategies, and customer engagements.
• Represent and advance the Cost Engineering profession through thought leadership, research, professional engagement, and collaboration with government, industry, and academia.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or a related technical field, with 12+ years of relevant cost engineering and economic analysis experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and major cost engineering efforts, including cost estimates, economic assessments, business cases, and analytical models.
• Experience applying cost engineering and economic analysis to space, ground, launch, or related systems in government and/or commercial environments.
• Experience supporting program planning, investment and affordability decisions, pricing, proposals, and business-case development.
• Experience with industry cost models and analytical tools, including SEER, TruePlanning, ACEIT, and Crystal Ball, and established cost-estimating methodologies.
• A collaborative technical leadership style that fosters technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 10%.
• Current DoD TS or TS/SCI clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, or a related technical field.
• Recognized subject-matter expertise in cost engineering or engineering economics, demonstrated through sustained technical leadership or significant contributions to the field.
• Experience advising senior government or industry leadership on major acquisition, affordability, or investment decisions.
• Commercial program experience with commercial space companies, aerospace and defense contractors, product organizations, or other industry clients.
• Experience developing or introducing innovative cost estimating methods, analytical approaches, or capabilities that have been adopted beyond an individual project.
• Experience teaching or developing technical practitioners in cost estimating, engineering economics, or related analytical disciplines.
• Professional certification in cost estimating or a related discipline, such as ICEAA or AACE.
• Certification in cost estimating or related disciplines through organizations such as ICEAA or AACE.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$155,900.00 - $233,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.