Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Cost Analyst jobs in California are actively in demand, with strong hiring concentration in aerospace and defense manufacturing, technology, healthcare systems, and state and local government contracting, covering openings from entry-level junior analyst through senior and principal-level roles. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area drive the highest volume of postings, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Permanente, and Salesforce maintain large, established cost analysis functions. The most sought-after specialties in California right now are manufacturing cost analysis, IT project costing, and government contract cost accounting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 55+ Cost Analyst jobs
Tecolote Research Inc. is seeking candidates for the role of Space Systems Cost Analyst to support planning and developing of cost estimates on a wide variety of United States Space Force (USSF) programs. Projects include satellite development, ground systems, and launch systems.
- Plan and develop cost estimates, perform risk analyses, and generate required estimate documentation
- Work with program managers, technical teams, senior leaders, contractors, team lead, and other teammates to develop program descriptions, strategies and acquisition documents
- Research technical designs, identify cost drivers, collaborate with cost research teams, determine estimating methodologies, and build dynamic estimates that credibly model system costs
- Be able to comfortably, confidently, and accurately present results to Government customers and their chain of command
- Provide data-driven insights and make recommendations to Government customers
- Analyze development and production contractor’s data, generate independent cost projections and assessments to our customers, and support Government source selection processes
- Support and participate in technical and program management reviews
- Advise the Program Managers, Chief Financial Officer, Portfolio Acquisition Executive, and other leaders with accurate, concise, and defendable cost positions
- 15-25 years of cost estimating and analysis experience supporting DoD/DoW, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Intelligence Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) customers
- Experience using MS Excel required; 4 years of experience using Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT), Unmanned Space Vehicle Cost Model (USCM), SEER Software, Aerospace Small Satellite Cost Model (SSCM), or NASA Instrument Cost Model (NICM) is desired
- Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills; position requires both independent work and collaborative work, in a fast-paced environment
- Extensive knowledge of the DoW acquisition process, experience developing hardware and software cost estimating relationships and cost methodologies, building cost models, applying inflation, exploring phasing approaches, collecting and normalizing data, performing detailed risk & uncertainty analysis and documenting all results
- Must be able to build and maintain a technical familiarity with program(s) they are supporting
- Familiarity with the DoW Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) budget process is a must
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in math, engineering, or the sciences.
Full-Time
Security Clearance
Senior-Level
On-site
We offer competitive salaries commensurate with education and experience. We have an excellent benefits package that includes:
Health & Welfare
Company Paid- Major Medical Insurance for employees and family members
- Dental Insurance for employees and family members
- Vision Insurance for employees (employee-paid for family members)
- Group Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- Short-Term Disability
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax deferrals for health care expenses)
Retirement
- Money Purchase Pension Plan - 100% Company funded defined contribution retirement plan. One-year entry waiting period and 5-year vesting. Core Funds available and a self-directed brokerage account option.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan - 100% Company funded discretionary contribution. 100% vested after one-year entry waiting period.
Time Off
Tecolote’s generous paid time off benefits give employees the flexibility they need to relax, recharge and take care of the unexpected.
- Annual Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Holidays
- Jury Duty/Witness Leave
- Military Leave
- Sick Leave
Los Angeles Operations
2120 East Grand Avenue, Suite 200
El Segundo, California 90245
(310) 640-4700
Tracking Number: 005-26-22
Tecolote Research Inc. is seeking candidates for the role of Space Systems Cost Analyst to support planning and developing of cost estimates on a wide variety of United States Space Force (USSF) programs. Projects include satellite development, ground systems, and launch systems.
- Plan and develop cost estimates, perform risk analyses, and generate required estimate documentation
- Work with program managers, technical teams, senior leaders, contractors, team lead, and other teammates to develop program descriptions, strategies and acquisition documents
- Research technical designs, identify cost drivers, collaborate with cost research teams, determine estimating methodologies, and build dynamic estimates that credibly model system costs
- Be able to comfortably, confidently, and accurately present results to Government customers and their chain of command
- Provide data-driven insights and make recommendations to Government customers
- Analyze development and production contractor’s data, generate independent cost projections and assessments to our customers, and support Government source selection processes
- Support and participate in technical and program management reviews
- Advise the Program Managers, Chief Financial Officer, Portfolio Acquisition Executive, and other leaders with accurate, concise, and defendable cost positions
- 15-25 years of cost estimating and analysis experience supporting DoD/DoW, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Intelligence Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) customers
- Experience using MS Excel required; 4 years of experience using Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT), Unmanned Space Vehicle Cost Model (USCM), SEER Software, Aerospace Small Satellite Cost Model (SSCM), or NASA Instrument Cost Model (NICM) is desired
- Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills; position requires both independent work and collaborative work, in a fast-paced environment
- Extensive knowledge of the DoW acquisition process, experience developing hardware and software cost estimating relationships and cost methodologies, building cost models, applying inflation, exploring phasing approaches, collecting and normalizing data, performing detailed risk & uncertainty analysis and documenting all results
- Must be able to build and maintain a technical familiarity with program(s) they are supporting
- Familiarity with the DoW Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) budget process is a must
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in math, engineering, or the sciences.
Full-Time
Security Clearance
Senior-Level
On-site
We offer competitive salaries commensurate with education and experience. We have an excellent benefits package that includes:
Health & Welfare
Company Paid- Major Medical Insurance for employees and family members
- Dental Insurance for employees and family members
- Vision Insurance for employees (employee-paid for family members)
- Group Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- Short-Term Disability
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax deferrals for health care expenses)
Retirement
- Money Purchase Pension Plan - 100% Company funded defined contribution retirement plan. One-year entry waiting period and 5-year vesting. Core Funds available and a self-directed brokerage account option.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan - 100% Company funded discretionary contribution. 100% vested after one-year entry waiting period.
Time Off
Tecolote’s generous paid time off benefits give employees the flexibility they need to relax, recharge and take care of the unexpected.
- Annual Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Holidays
- Jury Duty/Witness Leave
- Military Leave
- Sick Leave
Los Angeles Operations
2120 East Grand Avenue, Suite 200
El Segundo, California 90245
(310) 640-4700
Tracking Number: 005-26-22
See All 55 Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cost Analyst JobsCost Analyst Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cost Analyst Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman23
- Tecolote Research2
- Cordoba Corporation2
- AECOM1
- Tesla1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost analyst jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related quantitative field required
- Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Costpoint strongly preferred
- Experience with standard costing, variance analysis, and cost of goods sold reporting
- Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, financial modeling, and data validation
- Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation cost principles for government contract roles
- CPA, CMA, or CCEP credential preferred for senior and government contracting positions
Cost Analyst Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cost analyst in California?
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, engineering, or a related field is the standard starting point for cost analyst roles in California. California does not require a state-issued license specific to cost analysis, but employers in aerospace, defense contracting, and healthcare strongly favor candidates who have earned or are pursuing a Certified Management Accountant credential through the Institute of Management Accountants. Government contract employers commonly expect familiarity with FAR cost principles before hiring.
Which companies hire cost analysts in California?
Employers hiring cost analysts in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Tecolote Research, and Cordoba Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, large health systems, and enterprise technology companies means cost analyst demand is spread across several distinct industries rather than dominated by a single sector.
Which California cities have the most cost analyst jobs?
Redondo Beach, San Diego, and El Segundo have the most cost analyst openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through its aerospace, entertainment, and healthcare industries, San Diego through defense contractors and biotech, and the Bay Area through enterprise technology and financial services headquarters, which means openings in smaller or suburban metros typically cluster around satellite offices of those same large employers.
Are there remote cost analyst jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many finance roles, because cost analysis is primarily desk-based work with outputs delivered in spreadsheets and reports rather than requiring physical presence. About 33% of cost analyst openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a genuine shift in how finance teams in technology and professional services operate. Roles tied to manufacturing plants or government-secured facilities are the least likely to offer remote options.
How can I get hired as a cost analyst in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a staff accountant or financial analyst associate role at a California-based manufacturer, health system, or defense contractor, then transitioning internally once you have exposure to cost reporting. Employers like Kaiser Permanente and large aerospace primes in Southern California run finance rotational or new-grad associate programs that include cost accounting exposure. A CMA candidacy or a course in cost accounting through a California State University extension program significantly strengthens an entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to cost analyst jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cost analyst jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 55 Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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