Lead Pricing and Costing Analyst

Accountabilities:

Lead costing and pricing activities for complex development and production proposals, managing the process from RFP receipt through contract award, including customer negotiations and responses to cost and pricing requests for information.
Develop, validate, and document comprehensive proposal cost bases, incorporating engineering Basis of Estimates (BOEs), labor, materials, product costs, overhead, third-party expenses, and other relevant cost components.
Design and recommend pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, profitability, contractual requirements, risk exposure, and long-term business objectives.
Analyze complex financial data, cost assumptions, and pricing models to identify cost drivers, gaps, risks, and opportunities, providing clear recommendations to business unit leaders and senior management.
Provide technical leadership and guidance to Proposal Analysts and cross-functional teams on costing methodologies, pricing strategies, proposal requirements, and financial best practices.
Prepare and review cost volumes, pricing packages, sweep packages, and supporting financial analyses, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Lead pricing reviews and present pricing strategies, assumptions, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership to support informed decision-making and obtain required approvals.
Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Product Management, Program Management, and other stakeholders to validate cost estimates, establish assumptions, and maintain accurate consolidated Bills of Materials (BOMs).
Oversee pricing for third-party products and services, ensuring that supplier quotations, cost assumptions, and associated risks are appropriately reflected in proposals.
Maintain and update direct and indirect cost rates in ProPricer, ensuring pricing models, financial tools, and supporting systems facilitate consistent and reliable proposal development.
Conduct targeted costing reviews and post-award analyses by comparing actual costs with original bid assumptions, identifying trends, capturing lessons learned, and improving future estimates.
Develop and implement standardized costing models, pricing methodologies, and analytical tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and the quality of business decisions.
Advise senior leaders, proposal managers, product managers, finance teams, and other stakeholders on complex pricing matters, government contracting requirements, and cost-related decisions.
Support customer negotiations and internal reviews by presenting, analyzing, and defending cost assumptions, pricing positions, and financial recommendations.
Manage multiple high-priority proposals and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and compliance with internal procedures and applicable regulations.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen proposal development processes, improve financial analysis, and promote consistent pricing practices across the organization.
Requirements:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
Professional experience: At least six years of relevant experience in proposal cost development, pricing, financial analysis, or a comparable role. Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or high-technology environments is preferred.
Pricing and costing expertise: Extensive experience developing cost estimates and pricing strategies for complex government and commercial proposals, including competitive and sole-source bids.
Government contracting knowledge: Strong practical understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), particularly Parts 14, 15, 16, and 31, and the ability to apply relevant requirements to proposal pricing and cost development.
Contract types: Demonstrated experience pricing different contract structures, including Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), and Time and Materials (T&M) agreements.
Technical proficiency: ProPricer experience is required, alongside advanced knowledge of cost development, financial modeling, pricing methodologies, cost structures, and risk analysis.
Financial and analytical skills: Strong ability to interpret complex financial information, assess assumptions, identify trends and risks, develop accurate cost estimates, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
Software and systems: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, including the preparation of sophisticated financial analyses and executive-level presentations. Experience with integrated ERP systems, preferably SAP, is highly desirable.
Cost documentation: Experience preparing and validating consolidated Bills of Materials, analyzing cost and revenue, supporting audits, and conducting post-award cost reviews is preferred.
Leadership and influence: Demonstrated ability to lead complex proposal activities, guide colleagues, and influence cross-functional teams without relying on direct reporting authority.
Communication and presentation: Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the confidence to explain and defend pricing recommendations to senior leadership and support customer negotiations.
Organization and time management: Ability to manage multiple complex proposals simultaneously, prioritize competing demands, maintain attention to detail, and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.
Independent judgment: Self-motivated and comfortable working with limited supervision, navigating ambiguity, resolving complex problems, and exercising sound commercial and financial judgment.
Collaboration: Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with Engineering, Finance, Procurement, Program Management, Product Management, and business leadership.
Continuous improvement: A proactive approach to identifying process inefficiencies, developing practical solutions, and implementing improvements to costing and pricing practices.
Industry knowledge: Familiarity with aerospace and defense markets, U.S. government customers, and government contracting practices is highly desirable.
Benefits:
Competitive salary: Annual base salary ranging from $108,900 to $145,200, plus eligibility for a bonus. Compensation depends on qualifications, relevant experience, role scope, and market and business considerations. The published range reflects a position based in California.
Remote flexibility: Fully remote position based in the United States.
Paid time off: Paid leave to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Retirement benefits: 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and profit-sharing opportunities.
Health and wellness: Health and wellness benefits to support employees' overall well-being.
Employee stock purchase plan: Opportunity to participate in an employee stock purchase program, subject to applicable plan terms.
Learning and development: Opportunities to expand professional expertise, develop new skills, and pursue career growth through learning initiatives and challenging assignments.
Recognition and referral programs: Employee recognition initiatives and referral program opportunities.
Collaborative culture: An inclusive and supportive work environment that values teamwork, integrity, innovation, and respect.
Meaningful technical work: Opportunities to contribute to advanced technology programs and complex projects supporting critical aerospace and defense applications.
Professional growth: The opportunity to influence pricing strategy, advise senior leadership, mentor colleagues, and drive improvements across complex proposal operations.