Senior Cost & Affordability Analyst

Clearance Required: US Citizenship and an active TS/SCI or TS/SCI w/polygraph. If polygraph is not held, candidates must be willing to take a polygraph. Position Description: As a principal expert, this analyst provides strategic-level cost analysis and affordability assessments to guide the agency’s most complex and high-value investment decisions. This role focuses on the “cost” element of the cost-schedule-performance trade space, developing sophisticated financial models and data-driven analyses to ensure that programs and portfolios are affordable and fiscally sustainable over their entire lifecycle. Duties may include: Leading the development of complex, data-driven affordability analyses for entire portfolios to inform the agency’s annual budget build and long‑range strategic investment plans. Architecting and maintaining intricate cost models to conduct deep what‑if scenarios and sensitivity analysis related to new programs, changing requirements, and budget fluctuations. Serving as the lead author and analyst for the financial sections of formal business cases, Analysis of Alternatives (AoAs), and cost‑benefit analyses that are presented to senior leadership and governance boards. Serving as the agency’s top subject matter expert on cost estimating methodologies and financial modeling, providing guidance and quality assurance to program offices. Researching and proposing innovative, enterprise‑wide solutions to address systemic funding shortfalls and optimize resource allocation across competing priorities. Required Skills: A minimum of 12 years of experience in federal financial management, with a clear concentration in cost analysis, cost estimating, or affordability assessment. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant quantitative field such as Finance, Economics, or Mathematics. Advanced proficiency with relational databases and Microsoft Excel, including the ability to build complex, multi‑variable financial models from scratch. Demonstrated experience developing and presenting formal affordability analysis and cost‑benefit analysis to senior executive‑level leadership. Desired Skills: Master’s degree in a business or quantitative field. A professional cost‑estimating certification, such as the Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCEA), or a financial certification like CDFM or CGFM. Experience working with modern data visualization and statistical analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, R, Python, Crystal Ball). All employment decisions at RTI are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. RTI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. #J-18808-Ljbffr