Project Controls Analyst

Project Controls Analyst - Cobra Specialist

Job Locations US-AZ-Chandler | US-VA-McLean | US-VA-Reston | US-VA-Leesburg Job ID 2025-4632 Category Other Worker Category Regular Full-Time[F]

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a Project Controls Analyst and Deltek Cobra Application Specialist who thrives at the intersection of project scheduling and cost management. In this role, you aren't just running reports, you'll independently deliver high-quality work and drive project controls activities to completion, including supporting the integration of cost and schedule data across our earned value toolset. In this role, you will act as the "Super User", focusing primarily on supporting Deltek Cobra processes and serving as a key resource to help ensure cost and schedule data align seamlessly. You will succeed in this role if you are a proactive problem-solver who enjoys working directly with Schedulers and Control Account Managers (CAMs) to translate technical project progress into accurate earned value performance.

What You'll Do:

Serve as a key resource for Deltek Cobra, providing hands-on guidance to Schedulers and CAMs

• Work independently to support the monthly integration process (Integration Wizard) between Microsoft Project and Cobra; identify and help resolve mapping and data flow errors

• Help CAMs navigate the tool to pull data, analyze variances, and update Estimates to Complete (ETCs)

• Execute Budget Change Requests (BCRs) and baseline revisions in the tool following approved changes or ECPs (Engineering Change Proposals)

• Prepare and validate all IPMR (Integrated Program Management)/IPMDAR (Integrated Program Management Data and Analysis) reports for prime contractor and customer submission

• Conduct audits for data anomalies to ensure alignment with EIA-748 and DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) guidelines

• Support the EAC (Estimate at Completion)/VAC (Variance at Completion) process by providing CAMs with performance trends and tool-driven projections

• Partner with technical leads to ensure EVM (Earned Value Management) principles are applied correctly

• Assist CAMs with EVM activities including Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) development and alignment, time-phasing of tasks, developing and documenting earned value methodologies, performance measurement, estimate to complete analysis and updates, and variance analysis research and reporting

• Support actuals reconciliation and facilitating/dispositioning budget change requests

• Incorporate contractual changes into control system by staying aware of outstanding work against each contract to maintain realistic contract cost and schedule baselines

• Assist in the analysis of root causes of variance and abnormalities

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or other related discipline from an accredited college/university

• 5+ years of professional experience in business management or other related fields

• Working experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry, particularly with DoD (Department of Defense)

• Working knowledge and experience with Deltek Cobra

• Strong Program Controls skills and proficient knowledge with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel - pivot tables, VLookup, conditional formatting and other advanced functions)

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues

• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions or come up with solutions

• Be comfortable managing upward, including being a proactive communicator and asking for help when needed

• Have confidence and be able to establish valuable relationships with others

• Must be able to prioritize key tasks and have a strong sense of ownership over your work

• Be active in seeking out ways to continuously improve yourself and gain new knowledge

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, or other related discipline from an accredited college/university

• An active/current Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

We'll also need you to :

• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $80,000 - $110,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.