Cost Volume Lead

Quantum Space

$90K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Economics, Accounting, or a related field
  • 10+ years of experience in federal government proposal pricing and cost volume development
  • Expertise in pricing strategies for various contract types like cost-reimbursable and fixed-price
  • Strong knowledge of government cost realism and price reasonableness processes
  • Demonstrated experience creating comprehensive Basis of Estimates (BOEs) and pricing narratives
  • Proficient in financial modeling, cost estimating, and analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of proposal pricing strategies across various sectors
  • Create and document Basis of Estimate (BOE) and cost rationale
  • Coordinate subcontractor pricing and ensure alignment with overall strategy
  • Draft compliant and persuasive cost volumes and narratives
  • Conduct competitive pricing assessments and affordability analyses
  • Maintain pricing models and estimation methodologies
  • Support collaborative efforts with multiple teams to align strategies

Benefits

  • Ownership of critical pricing strategy impacting company growth
  • Opportunities to support transformative aerospace and defense programs
  • Ability to shape proposals that deliver vital capabilities
  • Collaborative work environment at the intersection of multiple disciplines
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and 401(k) matching
Full Job Description
Cost Volume Lead
Rockville, MD

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Cost Volume Lead to drive proposal pricing strategy and cost volume development across national security, civil, and commercial space pursuits. In this role, you will lead all aspects of proposal pricing, cost strategy development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) creation, subcontractor pricing coordination, and cost volume preparation while collaborating closely with capture, finance, contracts, engineering, and executive leadership teams.
You will play a critical role in helping Quantum Space win complex and highly competitive opportunities by developing compliant, compelling, and competitive pricing solutions that align customer requirements, business objectives, and mission success. This position is ideal for a pricing professional who combines deep federal acquisition expertise with strong analytical, financial, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Where You'll Make an Impact
• Lead proposal pricing strategy development and cost volume execution across federal, defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial pursuits
• Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation and supporting cost rationale for labor, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost elements
• Coordinate subcontractor pricing activities, evaluate cost proposals, and ensure integration into overall pricing strategies
• Create compliant, compelling, and defensible cost volumes and pricing narratives aligned with solicitation requirements
• Perform competitive pricing assessments, affordability analyses, and market research to inform bid strategies
• Develop and maintain pricing models, cost tools, templates, and estimation methodologies
• Collaborate with capture managers, proposal managers, engineers, program managers, contracts professionals, and finance teams to align pricing with overall pursuit strategy
• Support proposal reviews, customer discussions, negotiations, audits, fact-finding activities, and pricing inquiries
• Ensure compliance with solicitation instructions, FAR/DFARS requirements, and applicable government pricing regulations
• Evaluate cost realism, execution risk, profitability objectives, and pricing competitiveness throughout the proposal lifecycle
• Support multiple concurrent proposal efforts in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen pricing processes, tools, and organizational capabilities

What It Takes
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Economics, Accounting, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience supporting federal government proposal pricing and cost volume development
• Experience developing pricing strategies for cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, Time & Materials (T&M), OTA, and subcontracting environments
• Strong understanding of government cost realism, price reasonableness, affordability, and source selection evaluation processes
• Demonstrated experience developing Basis of Estimates (BOEs), pricing narratives, and proposal cost volumes
• Experience coordinating subcontractor pricing inputs and supporting negotiations, audits, and fact-finding activities
• Strong financial modeling, cost estimating, analytical, and business case development skills
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical, business, and executive teams
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven proposal environment

Nice-to-Have Experience
• Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), AFRL, NASA, NRO, OSD, or other federal space and defense customers
• Experience pricing aerospace, defense, intelligence, or space-related programs
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), program finance, and cost analysis methodologies
• Experience supporting strategic captures, competitive assessments, and bid/no-bid decisions
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and government contracting regulations
• Experience supporting proposal efforts involving advanced technology development, spacecraft, launch, or defense systems
• Experience developing and implementing pricing tools, templates, and process improvements
• MBA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant professional certifications

What You'll Get
Ownership - Lead pricing strategy and cost volume development for mission-critical opportunities that directly impact company growth
Innovation - Support transformative aerospace and defense programs enabling next-generation space mobility and operations
Impact - Help shape winning proposals that deliver critical capabilities to national security, civil, and commercial customers
Growth - Join a collaborative team operating at the intersection of strategy, business development, finance, and space technology
Compensation - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in helping secure the future of space through competitive strategies, winning proposals, and mission-focused execution.

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