This role involves leading the development and maintenance of program cost baselines and owning Earned Value Management (EVM) processes, primarily using Deltek Cobra. The analyst will also be responsible for developing, analyzing, and defending Estimates at Completion (EAC) while providing clear financial insights to leadership.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior Program Controls Analyst to lead cost and earned value management efforts on complex, mission-critical programs within aerospace and defense environments.
This role is responsible for driving program financial integrity, ensuring forecasts reflect execution reality, and providing leadership with clear, decision-quality insight. You will operate as a trusted partner to Program Managers and Control Account Managers (CAMs), owning the financial narrative of the program.
What you'll do
Lead development and maintenance of program cost baselines, including time-phased budgets and control account structures
Own Earned Value Management (EVM) processes within Deltek Cobra, ensuring data integrity and compliance with EVMS guidelines
Develop, analyze, and defend Estimates at Completion (EAC) and Estimates to Complete (ETC)
Perform deep-dive variance analysis and clearly articulate root causes, impacts, and forward-looking risks
Partner directly with CAMs and program leadership to validate performance, challenge assumptions, and improve forecast accuracy
Lead monthly program financial reviews, including internal leadership briefings and customer-facing deliverables
Reconcile cost, schedule, and accounting data across systems (Cobra, ERP, timekeeping) to ensure consistency and audit readiness
Support baseline change control processes, including BCR development, impact analysis, and implementation
Ensure compliance with ANSI/EIA-748 EVMS guidelines and support DCMA/DCAA audits and surveillance activities
Identify cost risks and opportunities and proactively drive mitigation strategies
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in program controls, cost management, or earned value management
Advanced, hands-on experience with Deltek Cobra (required)
Strong expertise in EVMS principles and ANSI/EIA-748 compliance
Proven experience developing and defending EACs/ETCs at the program or control account level
Experience working directly with CAMs and program leadership in a client-facing environment
High proficiency in Excel and large dataset analysis
Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights
Experience in aerospace and defense required
Experience with Deltek Costpoint or equivalent ERP systems
Background supporting DCMA or DCAA audits, IBRs, or surveillance reviews
Familiarity with integrated cost/schedule environments and cross-functional program controls
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