Senior Operations Research/Cost Analyst

Johns Hopkins - Laurel, MD

Full-time - Mid Level

Laurel, MD

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Operations Research/Cost Analyst position at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) offers a unique opportunity to integrate affordability into the identification, design, and comparison of alternative technologies and systems. This role is pivotal in leading efforts to enhance the efficiency of government programs through the development and application of advanced cost estimating and technology techniques, enabling robust affordability assessments. As a member of a dedicated team of analysts, you will play a crucial role in tying affordability and cost considerations to the critical challenges faced by our nation, particularly in support of Department of Defense (DOD) and US Government sponsors. In this position, you will be responsible for conducting trade space studies, including Analysis of Alternatives and Business Case Analyses, as well as performing Cost and Schedule Risk Assessments and affordability studies such as Life Cycle Cost Estimates and Total Ownership Costs. Your significant tasks will encompass cost research, parametric cost estimation, probabilistic cost forecasting, integration of cost data and models, normalization of data, and execution of model credibility assessments. You will lead or facilitate the development of defensible, time-phased, risk-adjusted, documented life cycle cost estimates, providing thought leadership on project teams to ensure sound analysis and the development of team members. Additionally, you will perform a wide variety of cost and economic analyses, directly interfacing with government sponsors and assisting in the development and presentation of management-level briefings as needed. Your contributions will also include quantifying best value assessments through affordability analysis, which may involve parametric cost estimating, life cycle cost analysis, cost estimating relationships, model development, and cost uncertainty and sensitivity analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead or facilitate the leadership of a team to develop defensible time phased, risk adjusted, documented life cycle cost estimates.
• Provide thought leadership on project teams to facilitate sound analysis and development of team members.
• Perform a wide variety of cost and economic analyses directly interfacing with government sponsors.
• Assist in the development and presentation of management level briefings as needed.
• Contribute to studies that quantify best value assessments through affordability analysis.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business, Data Science, Economics, Engineering, Management Science, Mathematics, Operations Research or another related field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in preparing cost estimates and analyses for DoD programs.
• Experience with DoD or Government agency acquisition programs, including milestone reviews, reporting, and budget development.
• Knowledge or training in the use of DoD cost estimating software, models, and databases (e.g. ACEIT, @Risk, Crystal Ball, Price TruePlanning, VAMOSC).
• Demonstrated study leadership, communication, interpersonal, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment.
• The ability to obtain a final Secret level security clearance by your start date.

Nice-to-haves

• A Master's degree or higher in Business, Cost Estimating, Data Science, Economics, Engineering, Management Science, Mathematics, or Operations Research.
• A current certification related to cost estimation/analysis (e.g., DAWIA Level III certification, Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCEA).
• In-depth knowledge and experience in Life Cycle Cost Estimating, Cost Uncertainty & Risk Analysis, Parametric Estimating Techniques, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, Government and Commercial Pricing Requirements, Forecasting, Data Mining, Simulation & Optimization Techniques.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in the use of DoD cost estimating software, models, and databases (e.g. ACEIT, @Risk, Crystal Ball, Price TruePlanning, VAMOSC).
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the DoD 5000 series of systems acquisition policies.
• Past leadership of DoD Affordability Studies or cost-benefit analysis of MDAP ACAT programs.

Benefits

• Generous benefits including a robust education assistance program.
• Unparalleled retirement contributions.
• Healthy work/life balance.