Federal

Cost Lead, SYD 85/S8

Space Systems Command ยท Department of the Air Force
๐Ÿ“ Los Angeles County, California NH-3 $104,349 - $161,313/yr
Posted: Jan 27, 2026 Deadline: Feb 16, 2026 (Closes tomorrow days left)

About This Position

To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Qualifications

The 1515 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Major Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) at LAAFB, El Segundo, CA is searching for a Cost Lead for SYD 85/S8 (NH-1515-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Serve as a Cost Lead responsible for planning, leading, and performing complex cost estimating and financial analysis for assigned programs or projects. Provide expert cost and financial analysis support to program managers and senior leadership to inform program decisions and resource planning. Ideal Candidate: Developing and presenting cost estimates, financial metrics, and budget analyses for large or complex acquisition programs. Working closely with program managers, integrated product teams, engineers, logisticians, and other functional experts to translate technical requirements into defensible cost estimates. Applying DoW, OMB, and service-specific cost policies, methodologies, and tools to support decision-making and program planning. Degree in operation research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operation research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter course requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus. Key Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of a broad range of operations research analysis techniques and possession of analytical abilities. 2. Knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions. 3. Skill to negotiate and/or defend findings and program support concepts. 4. Ability to lead study teams and originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints. 5. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques, and design, build, and use models and simulation techniques. 6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relations.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Additional Information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

How to Apply

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Required Documents

Resume: You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide: Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information: Job title Detailed duties and accomplishments Employer's name and address Supervisor's name and phone number Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.) Hours per week Salary, if applicable Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Cost Lead, SYD 85/S8 position at Space Systems Command?
The salary range for this position is $104,349 - $161,313/yr. This is a NH-3 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Cost Lead, SYD 85/S8 job located?
This position is located in Los Angeles County, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
The 1515 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 16, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does NH-3 mean?
NH-3 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.