Cost Estimator

Cost Estimator

At Herren Associates, our goals are to drive efficiency and maximize the value of every dollar our clients spend. We push down costs, manage change, and challenge the status quo, improving the way organizations do business. Specializing in Cost Estimating and Analysis, Cyber Security, Engineering and Management Consulting, our firm has a passion for fostering career progression and seeks to align motivated professionals with rewarding homes for their careers. With over thirty years of experience supporting an array of clients throughout the Public Sector, we welcome you to learn more about our dynamic organization and the role that you can play as we chart out a course for continued impact in the years to come.

We have multiple opportunities available for all levels of cost estimators (junior to senior) on our dynamic, hard-working Program Analytics and Cost Engineering Team. We work together across clients and projects to provide repeatable solutions, using the latest cost estimation, data analytics, and data visualization tools. We provide multiple avenues for training, networking, and career advancement including in house seminars and trainings, external conferences and exhibitions, professional certification/membership reimbursements, and fun team-building events!

Role and Responsibilities

• The role and responsibility of each person will depend on the specific client project as well as the experience level of the individual. Generally, the tasks required are below:
• Work as a part of an integrated team, interfacing with program offices and leadership.
• Understand phases of a program – Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Production, Operations and Sustainment, and Disposal – and be able to apply different cost estimating techniques and data sources dependent on the program phase.
• Work in coordination with subject matter experts and be able to elicit requirements that translate into costs for a program
• Analyze and make effective use of cost, schedule, technical, and programmatic data.
• Develop, analyze, and validate cost and schedule risk-adjusted Life Cycle Cost Estimations (LCCEs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), Business Case Analyses (BCAs), Analysis of Alternatives (AoAs), program office estimates, and other standard cost analyses.
• Move beyond just putting together the estimate, employ dynamic modeling techniques and provide dashboards to quickly manipulate data.
• Use data visualization tools to present data dynamically and support client evaluation and decision-making in real time.
• Develop presentations and draft, edit, and manage routing of executive level briefings, papers, and/or reports on program cost positions, impact of budget changes on supported programs, and other cost issues.
• Use an analytical process – setting up the problem, conducting background research, collecting and reducing data, displaying data for analysis, formulating mathematical expressions, and drawing conclusions – in conjunction with the cost estimating process to provide data-driven solutions.
• Understand the DoD's financial management and budget process to identify funding issues, prepare for budget or other reviews, resolve issues, and make sound and timely recommendations.
• Analyze cost and financial data using EVM best practices to assess program performance as it relates to cost and schedule estimates to complete.
• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of cost analysts in support of above tasks (senior-level requirement)

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering-related field
• An active Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain w/in 6 months)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work independently, and as a team member; ability to establish a network of contacts; ability to mentor and guide activities of other team members (senior-level requirement)
• CCEA certification (or ability to obtain w/in 6 months) if over 5 years' experience
• Proficient with MS Office suite
• Experience with ACEIT, advanced Excel knowledge is a plus
• Experience with PowerBI or other data visualization and analytics tools is a plus
• Experience with Crystal Ball, @Risk, or other simulation software is a plus
• Experience with MS Project is a plus

Herren Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.