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Space Systems Command

Cost Lead, Syd 85/S8

Location: California, Los Angeles County
Requires Relocation: Yes
Start Date: 27/01/2026
End Date: 03/02/2026
Offering Type: Permanent
Hiring Paths: The public
Service Type: Competitive
Travel Percentage: 25% or less
Full Time On-site

Space Systems Command

About Space Systems Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win…Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values — integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide: AF DCIPS Interchange AF Internal Employee Cyber Interagency Transfer Authority (CITA) DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Non-AF DCIPS Interchange PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement

Summary

Job summary

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.

Major duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) at LAAFB, El Segundo, CA is searching for a Cost Lead for SYD 85/S8 (NH-1515-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Serve as a Cost Lead responsible for planning, leading, and performing complex cost estimating and financial analysis for assigned programs or projects. Provide expert cost and financial analysis support to program managers and senior leadership to inform program decisions and resource planning. Ideal Candidate: 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, and 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.

Qualification

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.

Evaluations

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.