Demo

Cost Analyst/ Cost Estimator

Canvas
Huntsville, AL Full Time
POSTED ON 3/24/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/22/2026
Job Title: Cost Analyst/ Cost Estimator

Location: Redstone Arsenal - Huntsville, AL (On-site)

Canvas provides engineering services and technical solutions for customers in federal and commercial markets. We are recognized by our customers and industry partners for our ethical standards, world-class technical expertise, and dedication to accomplishing the mission in a responsive, efficient, and affordable manner.

Candidate will accomplish requirements in support of a Project Manager and/or Product Manager to include: performing programmatic support to Program, Planning, and Cost Team by preparing or reviewing Life Cycle Cost Estimates, Independent Government Cost Estimates, Proposal Evaluation inputs, tasker inputs, Spend Plans, and other related cost inputs. Ideal candidates have recent and relevant experience gained from military/civilian service and are adept at briefing mid and senior staff personnel.

Duties Include

  • Communicate effectively with technical, acquisition, resource management, and other functional leads within the directorate to ensure the requirement is fully understood prior to developing Independent Government Estimates (IGEs) to support complex / multifaceted mission requirements, and to assist contracting as required to determine reasonableness of cost and assist with contract negotiations
  • Execute DoD cost estimating and analytical models to provide input and recommendations for design to cost, analysis of alternatives, independent cost analysis, cost reduction opportunities, technical and cost risk evaluation, and budget preparation for products and programs
  • Provide advice and technical assistance to the functional elements in identifying and evaluating program cost factors and cost impact on program alternatives
  • Conduct analysis and provide recommendations to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and senior staff regarding prime contractor submitted cost and performance reports
  • Analyze mission requirements to determine cost parameters, specific cost factors and relationships to be utilized in constructing cost models
  • Refine and adjust cost models in response to changes in technical specifications, support requirements, design alternatives, engineering and operational trade-off proposals
  • Calculate risk of trade off analysis and other studies
  • Provide programmatic support for the formulation, development and assessment of program and project schedules
  • Demonstrate proficiency with DoD Directive 5000 series, Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and industry business best practices
  • Conduct and document broad base analyses and assessment Benefit Costs Analysis (BCA) / Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to support organizational planning and development
  • Provide cost analysis to support budget planning, formulation, execution, justification, impact assessment, and reporting
  • Develop and maintain detailed, automated cost models complete with excursions for multiple programs to assist with program analysis, planning, scheduling, and execution of funds
  • Develop Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements in various appropriation categories and their Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs) and methodologies
  • Assist with the development and review of Pre-Award Contract Requirement Package (CRP) documents to include: Market Research, Acquisition Plan/Strategy, Justification and Approval (J&A), Determination and Findings (D&F), Performance Work Statement (PWS), Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), IGE, Request for Information (RFI), Solicitation Draft
  • Evaluate the following cost elements: labor, travel, materials, other ODC, overhead, G&A and cost of money
  • Assist with the establishment of long range procurement objectives for requirements to be executed each fiscal year
  • Utilize independent judgment to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload in a high-optempo and detail-oriented environment
  • Participate in definition of assignments, including identification of work to be done and deadlines for completion
  • Interpret regulations

Desired Education Requirements

  • At minimum a Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Desired Skills

  • Headquarters Staff experience or similar DoD Program/Project Office experience
  • Knowledge of the DoD Acquisition process and procurement regulations
  • Collection and analysis of information to assess cost, schedule, and performance associated with risk identification and risk management activities
  • Experience using Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tool (ACEIT)
  • Experience using Microsoft EXCEL
  • Travel: Up to 5 %

Security Clearance: The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Other Essential Job Functions: Some travel may be required, but minimal 5%

About Us

Founded in 2007, Canvas connects a passion for going beyond the expected with the knowledge and expertise to deliver what our clients need now and in the future. Canvas has been recognized as a Great Place to Work Certified ™, Fortune Best Small Workplace ™, Fortune Best Workplace for Millennials ™ (2022), Best Place for Working Parents (2022 & 2023), HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Awardee (2021 & 2022), Best Places to Work Awardee, 2019 Government Contracting - Technology Business of the Year, and Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year (2018) by the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce.

Benefits Of Working With Canvas

To reflect our company culture, Canvas offers an exciting array of benefits that makes up our employees' total rewards package. Those benefits may include:

  • Competitive Wages*
  • Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Generous company-funded Basic Life Insurance
  • Company-funded Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
  • 11 Paid Federal Holidays
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Dependent Care and Medical Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match and 100% immediate vesting
  • Tuition Reimbursement for ongoing training, continuing education, or advanced degree programs
  • Robust Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Bonus Program
  • Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
  • Spot Awards for exemplary individual performance
  • Discretionary performance-based bonuses
  • And many more!
  • Final compensation for this position is determined by a variety of factors, such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.

Canvas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Canvas is an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA federal contractor who affords equal employment opportunity to protected veterans and people with disabilities.

Canvas has equal employment opportunities that are based upon a candidate's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job and are free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit our Careers page. U.S. citizenship is required for most positions.

Canvas is committed to expanding access to employment for people with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, and your disability prevents you from applying, please advise what reasonable accommodation Canvas can provide to assist you in applying for one of our open positions. You may contact us by sending an email to talent@canvas-inc.com.

Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation for applying for a specific posted position will be responded to. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis. Please be aware, scammers may try to impersonate our company by reaching out regarding job opportunities. We will never ask you for bank account information, checks, or other sensitive information as part of our hiring process. If you're unsure, please email talent@canvas-inc.com with questions.

For further information on Canvas including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website.

Salary.com Estimation for Cost Analyst/ Cost Estimator in Huntsville, AL
$72,673 to $93,946
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