Unlock Full Resume Report

This position is no longer accepting applications

Positions open for more than 30 days are automatically closed and marked as expired

Don't let one closed door slow you down, here's your next move:

Find similar roles

Actively hiring now

Polish your resume

Get more interviews

Recommended

Check resume score

Free & instant results

July 10, 2026

Cost Estimator

Mid • On-site

Dayton, OH

We are currently seeking a qualified Cost Estimator to support the acquisition of Defense Health Systems for the Department of Defense (DoD).

Responsibilities

The Cost Estimator will support cost estimation and financial analysis activities for DoD acquisition programs under close mentorship from senior cost estimation staff. This role is ideal for a junior-to-mid-level professional looking to grow expertise in defense cost estimating while contributing to budgeting, spend planning, and reporting efforts in collaboration with the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Team.

  • Assist in developing cost estimates in support of Defense Health Systems acquisition activities.
  • Apply statistical techniques such as regression analysis and basic Monte Carlo simulation to support cost risk analysis.
  • Analyze historical program data to refine cost models and estimate future program costs.
  • Support the development of spend plans using program office data in coordination with FP&A leadership.
  • Assist in organizing and participating in budget planning meetings.
  • Contribute to reports, dashboards, and briefing materials.
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses to support program objectives.
  • Support contract proposal evaluations and acquisition documentation.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Mathematics, Accounting, or related quantitative discipline.
  • 2–5 years of cost estimation, financial analysis, or budget analysis experience.
  • Minimum 1 year of federal government work experience; DoD experience preferred.
  • Exposure to ACEIT tools including ACE, POST, and Librarian.
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.
  • Understanding of DoD contracts, budgeting, and acquisition processes.
  • Familiarity with the PPBE process.
  • Working knowledge of DoD Instruction 5000.73.
  • Basic familiarity with MIL-STD-881F and Work Breakdown Structure concepts.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Certification or active pursuit of CCEA or PCEA.
  • Experience using GFEBS.
  • Exposure to Earned Value Management (EVM).
  • DoD Financial Management Certification Level I or II.
  • DAU coursework or certification in Business Financial Management or Business Cost Estimating.
  • Familiarity with Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) concepts.
  • Experience with agile or project management methodologies.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with both location and experience.

Employee Expectations

  • Produce high-quality deliverables aligned with contract outcomes.
  • Execute tasks independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain professional communication in meetings and written correspondence.
  • Remain responsive and consistently meet deadlines.

Benefits

  • 15 days of Paid Time Off plus 11 Paid Federal Holidays
  • 401K Program with up to 4% employer matching
  • Three Gold Healthcare Options with 75%-90% employer-paid premiums
  • Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Program
  • Employer-paid Short Term Disability Insurance
  • Employer-paid Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Employer-paid Life Insurance
  • Professional Training and Development
  • Corporate Team Building Events
  • Additional employee benefits

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, gender, religious or political beliefs, national origin or heritage, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Similar jobs you might like

Technology

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Systems Engineer (onsite or remote)

Senior

Colorado Springs, CO

120,000 - 152,000 USD/yr

🏢 Summary: Full-time Systems Engineer role supporting aerospace and defense system engineering activities, including requirements, architecture, system updates, issue resolution, and customer deliverables. The position is based in Colorado Springs, CO or remote and offers a salary range of $120,000–$152,000 plus comprehensive benefits. 🗂️ Requirements: 5+ years of engineering experience, Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, Defense or aerospace industry experience, Knowledge of space systems and satellite ground systems, Requirements development, validation, and verification experience, Ability to obtain a Secret clearance, Strong technical communication and collaboration skills 📃 Skills: Aerospace, Satellites, Requirements, Verification, Architecture, AWS, Kubernetes, CONOPS 🏢 Description: Job Description Readiness Delivered. Kratos provides leading-edge capabilities for communication with satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and airborne platforms. From factory test to flight, from ground data networking to RF Links – commercial, intelligence, and defense users trust Kratos to solve their most difficult RF problems. For a more complete overview of our capabilities see http://www.kratosdefense.com/. At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with fiscal and operational discipline. We work hard, we solve hard problems, and we look out for and take care of our customers, each other and our families. Protecting and enabling our nation and global customers through innovative aerospace solutions is what motivates us. We continually build trusted relationships with our peers, our partners and customers, and we take ownership for our actions—always striving to do the right thing. KRATOS is seeking a motivated System Engineer candidate who will support engineering activities to meet contractual requirements in Colorado Springs, CO (or remote). This full time position requires the ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment. The successful candidate should be capable of developing and modeling requirements, contributing to system design documentation, utilizing existing analytical models, and helping to develop new models as needed. Excellent communications and interpersonal relationship skills are required as the candidate will be working closely with system developers, test, and support personnel. Duties include, but are not limited to: Support the System Engineering team to ensure engineering contractual requirements and deliverables are met on schedule Work closely with system developers, test, and on-site user support personnel to support system updates, analyze and resolve system issues, and ensure project objectives are met. Perform requirements analysis and support system design and architecture Support program Configuration Control Boards (CCBs) Participate in CDRL/SDRL generation and deliveries based on customer prescribed schedule Provide technical advice to customers on architectures and potential solutions Develop and deliver effective customer presentations (support design reviews, status reports, kickoff meetings, test plans) demonstrating an ability to communicate comfortably at a system level Attend and actively support highly technical engineering team meetings Travel as necessary to attend conferences and customer meetings Experience And Skills 5+ Years engineering experience BS in SE, CS, EE, ME, or other engineering equivalent Experience working within the Defense and/or Aerospace industry to include a working knowledge of space systems and specifically satellite ground systems Familiarity with aerospace design and verification processes to include requirements development, validation and verification for conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design Sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to accomplish results Must either currently possess or have the ability to obtain a Secret clearance Preferred Skills And Experience Domain knowledge with sensor systems and associated ground software capabilities Experience developing system level models, requirements, and architecture in conjunction with discipline engineering teams Familiarity with cloud-based platforms (specifically AWS) and Kubernetes-enabled applications Experience with software application specification and CONOPS definition Experience with military space operations The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills. Competitive salary based on experience and education Salary Range: $120,000-$152,000 Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date. Job Benefits Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance 401(k) Savings Plan Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) Paid Time-Off (PTO) Holidays Education Reimbursement Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. EEO Is The Law Disability Accessibility Accommodation If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded. Pay Transparency The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Job Applicant Privacy Notice For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.