Cost Strategist

Basic Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree preferably in applied mathematics, statistics, data science, data analytics or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in a related technical discipline plus a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.

Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Join a dynamic team strategy and business development team that supports strategic captures for the Space, Cyber & Intelligence (SC&I) line of business that is harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to super charge our teams’ performance.

The SC&I SBD team develops and executes winning capture strategies that support our capture process for six business areas across diverse markets including DoD, national security space and intelligence community.

Desired candidate should possess a strong business acumen, advanced AI skills, strong cost analysis experience, lifecycle cost analytics, pricing strategies, and data modeling. Desired candidate will have experience developing cost strategies for large complex government proposals with forward leaning AI skills. Experience with cost volume development and review is desired. Candidate must be adept at working with large complex teams across all business functions. Cost Strategist will lead cost and pricing elements across strategic proposals for SC&I. Ideal candidate will utilize critical thinking and assessment techniques to create cost strategies that meet business goals and proposal requirements. This position will stretch existing cost strategies for creative approaches that integrate industry knowledge to enhance organizational financial positions on bids.

• Craft new approaches and plans for creative pricing solutions where there is a requirement utilizing AI driven data analysis and predictive models.
• Serve as cost strategist for cost and pricing activities through end-to-end lifecyle of highly complex cost proposals.
• Lead advanced budget exercises that are AI supported, utilizing Excel analysis tools.
• Fulfills obligations and meet multiple simultaneous proposal calendar deadlines.
• Ensure the timely generation of pricing submissions and compliance with solicitation requiremen7s and established review/approval processes.
• Interface with proposal teams to accurately drive cost strategies that can be accruately estimated.
• Analyze, evaluate and make recommendations, with AI informed frameworks, of cost strategies, proposal requirements and how cost strategies will improve pWin.

This position will report to the Director of Capture & Proposals and work with capture managers, business development manager, program managers, pricing leads and proposal support team members. The position requires clear communications with internal team members at all levels of our organization. This position will support strategic proposal cost development and proposal development and operations business analytics.

Position can be remote with a flex from site plan. Preference is that the candidate work out of either the Chantilly, VA or Scottsdale, AZ locations. 

The Cost Strategist is responsible for supporting the development of cost proposals, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), coordinating cost analysis, and maintaining proposal documentation. This role requires analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to produce compliant and competitive proposals. Key Responsibilities:

• Employ statistical and analytical methodologies to normalize, analyze, and synthesize cost and technical data in support of strategic cost solution development.
• Review and analyze RFP/Solicitation documents for cost implications.
• Integrate and align cross-functional cost inputs to produce a cohesive, compliant, and compelling cost proposal. Ensure consistent application of ground rules and assumptions (GRA).
• Contribute to Capture Team efforts in developing comprehensive cost/ pricing strategies and solutions for specific opportunities.
• Facilitate team communications and coordinate plans and schedules for cost volume.
• Ensure full compliance with FAR and Cost & Pricing regulations by independently validating requirements, building and overseeing compliance matrices, and ensuring 100% compliant submission of all cost bids and proposals (volumes, ROMs, white papers, RFQs, etc.).
• Create, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and manipulate complex opportunity unique cost/price models.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external cost professionals to cultivate and expand the organization's institutional cost knowledge and analytical capabilities.
• Conduct cost trade analyses to evaluate bid opportunities, delivering best value and cost savings recommendations.
• Use external market resources, such as industry consultants, open-source information, AI tools, and defense publications, to conduct independent pricing analysis, competitive analysis, and bid evaluation.
• Participate in the evaluation of cost/price solutions and internal reviews.
• Coach and advise the Capture Team in building robust internal price-to-win (PTW) strategies and critically assessing external PTW inputs to strengthen competitive positioning.
• Lead cost proposal/bid efforts, developing and reviewing solicitation response templates, and coordinating cost analysis and negotiation strategies.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of cost estimation tools, leveraging data analytics methodologies to enhance modeling accuracy and decision-making capabilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Strong knowledge of FAR and Cost & Pricing regulations.
• Analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Strong proficiency in Excel and other cost modeling tools.
• Strong effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Understanding of government contracting processes.
• Strong judgment in proposal development, business strategies, technical issues related to business growth.

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Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $126,862.00 - USD $137,269.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans