Senior Cost/Pricing Analyst

Employment Type: Direct Hire
Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Irvine, California
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Target Salary Range: $115,000–$120,000 annually
Bonus: 10% annual cash incentive opportunity
Schedule: 1st Shift
Experience Required: Typically 6+ years of related experience
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost/Pricing Analyst to develop competitive cost proposals, analyze manufacturing costs, and support pricing decisions and contract negotiations.

The selected candidate will apply cost accounting principles to complex historical and estimated data, evaluate profitability and risk, and prepare supporting documentation for new and continuing business opportunities.

This position requires experience with government proposals, applicable cost and pricing requirements, and audit support. The analyst will collaborate with business teams and management to maintain profitability, improve estimating processes, and support informed commercial decisions.

The ideal candidate will bring advanced analytical skills, strong manufacturing cost knowledge, and the ability to clearly explain complex financial information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cost Analysis and Proposal Development

• Determine the costs of complex products and services by collecting historical and estimated operational data.
• Develop cost proposal rationale, cost breakdowns, and supporting documentation based on company and customer requirements.
• Prepare quotes and proposals for new and continuing business opportunities.
• Analyze cost data and recommend pricing approaches to management.
• Evaluate projected profits, potential losses, and proposal risks.
• Provide make-or-buy analyses for major components.
• Analyze proposed changes in manufacturing methods and materials.
• Compare standard costs with actual production costs and prepare periodic variance reports.
• Identify and report factors affecting product and service pricing and profitability.

Negotiations, Compliance, and Audit Support

• Support contract negotiations by presenting cost and pricing information.
• Help maintain profitability targets during proposal development and negotiations.
• Ensure cost and pricing activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Prepare and support Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) proposals.
• Support government audits involving the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and direct military customers when required.
• Represent the pricing function during audits, interdivisional projects, and policy or procedure reviews.
• Protect confidential financial, customer, and business information.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare reports summarizing complex cost information, financial trends, and forecasts.
• Explain cost analysis methods, processes, and findings to management and business teams.
• Recommend actions based on data interpretation and comparative analysis.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives involving estimating, pricing, accounting systems, and business processes.
• Coordinate improvements with division, corporate, and customer teams as applicable.

Technical Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a primary contact on significant cost and pricing projects.
• Establish project goals and objectives and coordinate activities needed for completion.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentoring to less experienced employees.
• Share specialized knowledge across business and project teams.
• Maintain professional knowledge through training, publications, professional networks, and associations.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and business improvement activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the position’s responsibilities, typically acquired through 6 or more years of related experience.
• Experience quoting new and continuing business opportunities, including TINA proposals.
• Experience supporting government audits involving DCMA, DCAA, or direct military customers.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations, including Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and/or Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, and assembly methods and associated processes.
• Ability to assess, lead, and implement continuous improvement in critical or high-impact areas.
• Proficiency with automated estimating, pricing, and accounting systems.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet, database, and standard business software applications.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex estimates, pricing proposals, and financial reports.
• Ability to prepare clear reports and business correspondence.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with team members, team leaders, and senior management.
• Ability to respond professionally to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, and business representatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and participate in goal-setting, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Ability to work onsite in Irvine, California.

Work Environment

• Onsite cost analysis, pricing, and manufacturing business support environment in Irvine, California.
• Regular collaboration with management, business teams, customers, and audit representatives.
• Work involves complex cost databases, historical information, estimates, proposals, and financial reporting.
• Participation in contract negotiations, government audit support, and cross-functional projects.
• Strong emphasis on analytical accuracy, confidentiality, compliance, and profitability.
• First-shift schedule.

Key Competencies

• Cost accounting and manufacturing cost analysis
• Cost proposal development
• Government pricing and TINA proposals
• CAS and FAR knowledge
• Government audit support
• Contract negotiation support
• Profitability and risk analysis
• Standard-to-actual cost comparisons
• Make-or-buy analysis
• Financial reporting and forecasting
• Estimating and pricing systems
• Spreadsheet and database analysis
• Continuous improvement
• Technical communication and presentations
• Mentoring and cross-functional collaboration
• Confidentiality and attention to detail