Cost Estimating Analyst

Title :  Cost Estimating Analyst

Company :  Privately Held Technology Solutions Company

Compensation :  $80,000 to $95,000 base + discretionary bonus + strong benefits package

As a Cost Estimating Analyst, you’ll transform complex technical, financial, and operational inputs into clear models that guide business decisions. This is a highly collaborative, front-facing position where you’ll work closely with engineering, supply chain, and program teams to validate assumptions, identify risk, and build estimates that leadership can trust.

You’ll begin with smaller change orders, but with mentorship from a senior program-finance leader, you’ll rapidly grow toward owning full proposals from start to finish. If you’re analytical, curious, and eager to develop deep expertise in cost estimating, this role offers a strong growth track.

What You’ll Do

Build, validate, and document cost models aligned to WBS structures and proposal requirements.

Challenge assumptions, pressure-test inputs, and ensure timing, scope, and cashflow estimates are realistic.

Translate RFPs, milestones, and risk data into financial outputs, including cashflow forecasts, P&Ls, and review packages.

Collaborate with engineering, program management, supply chain, and contracts to gather accurate data.

Participate in estimate reviews alongside senior leadership; grow into presenting your own estimates.

Contribute to continuous improvement of cost-estimating tools, templates, and processes.

What You Bring

3–5+ years in cost estimating, pricing, financial analysis, or related experience (government or complex RFP experience strongly preferred).

Advanced Excel skills — you can build, audit, and troubleshoot models confidently.

A critical, curious mindset — you verify numbers rather than accepting them at face value.

Strong communication skills with the ability to explain assumptions and methodology.

Degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field preferred, though relevant experience is equally valued.

Comfort working under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.

Bonus : experience with ERP / CRM systems (e.g., NetSuite, Salesforce) or working with international RFPs.

Location

Fully remote. San Diego based with occasional domestic travel for training or proposal work.

Eligible states include : AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SC, TX, VA, WA .

Compensation

Compensation varies based on experience, skills, and location.

Incentive plan, health benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with match, and PTO included.

About the Company (Generalized)

This organization is a global technology company specializing in advanced mobility and infrastructure solutions, including automated vehicle identification, digital payment systems, and data-driven platforms used worldwide. With operations spanning multiple regions, the company focuses on improving mobility, sustainability, safety, and revenue generation for communities through innovative, tech-enabled systems.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco / Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco / Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer : Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco / Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco / Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco / Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco / Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and / or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .

• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here .
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here .
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here .
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here .

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to :

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.