Demo

Principal Cost Accountant

Leonardo DRS
Melbourne, FL Full Time
POSTED ON 8/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/28/2026
Job ID: 114733

Location: Melbourne FL (Hybrid preferred, possibility for Remote work)

Schedule: 9/80

The Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business within DRS has locations in Dallas and Austin, TX, Melbourne, FL, and Cypress, CA. EOIS develops, manufactures, and supports infrared and electro-optical solutions for soldiers, ground vehicles and airborne platforms. We offer an exciting and challenging work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package, and a business culture that rewards performance.

Employing the world’s brightest. Supporting the world’s bravest.

Job Summary

The Principal Cost Accountant provides advanced business operations and cost accounting expertise, leading complex analyses, forecasts, and special projects that support strategic decision-making across the organization. This role interprets accounting data and manufacturing variances, ensures proper cost allocation, prepares and reviews cost and forecast reports, supports audits, and presents key findings and recommendations to senior management. The position also serves as a resource to leadership and less experienced staff and enhances the cost accounting systems and processes.

Job Responsibilities

  • Perform highly complex tasks for Business Operations
  • Demonstrate expert knowledge of accounting standards and practices
  • Conduct independent research and apply analytical and problem solving skills to lead and complete numerous and diverse special projects
  • Present findings of work to senior management
  • Prepare, consolidate and review company forecasts
  • Provide assistance to management, interpreting accounting reports and identifying and resolving problem areas
  • Analyze and explain manufacturing variances
  • Provide guidance to less experienced staff members
  • Assist in audits
  • Prepare and analyze cost reports
  • Conduct analysis comparing forecasts with actual expenses
  • Ensure that costs are allocated in accordance with established procedures
  • Gather cost data on labor, material and subcontract costs, etc.
  • May assist with gross margin analysis
  • May be involved with the administration and enhancement of the cost accounting system

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field with 8 years directly related experience (Manufacturing, etc.), preferably in a defense/government contracting environment (or equivalent combination of education/training and experience)
  • Experience with Manufacturing Operations Variance Analysis (excess and obsolete inventory analysis, Bill of Material (BOM), attrition rate analysis, scrap/yield analysis, etc.)
  • Working knowledge of ERP (Costpoint preferred) and MRP (supply chain)

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

  • Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary.com Estimation for Principal Cost Accountant in Melbourne, FL
$108,190 to $134,895
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Principal Cost Accountant?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Cost Accountant career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$63,829 - $79,985
Income Estimation: 
$76,183 - $95,442
Income Estimation: 
$111,271 - $144,173
Income Estimation: 
$102,134 - $138,385
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Leonardo DRS

  • Leonardo DRS Sidman, PA
  • Job ID: 114820 The Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business provides leading naval computing infrastructure, network and data distribution and middleware en... more
  • Just Posted

  • Leonardo DRS High Ridge, MO
  • Job description: Job ID: 115342 The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, contr... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job ID: 114693 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the de... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Bridgeton, MO
  • Job ID: 115022 The Leonardo DRS Land Systems business is a recognized leader in the design and integration of complex technologies into new and legacy syst... more
  • 3 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Cost Accountant jobs in the Melbourne, FL area that may be a better fit.

  • ClearanceJobs Melbourne, FL
  • Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 3At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact ... more
  • 30 Days Ago

  • BRPH Melbourne, FL
  • BRPH is a technically focused, creative architecture, engineering, and construction company with over six decades of expertise in helping mission-driven cl... more
  • 4 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!