Cost Analyst

Job Description

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Cost Analyst serves as the enterprise financial control representative for Technical Directions Inc., responsible for end-to-end financial oversight across all functions including Programs, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. This role functions as the de facto Financial Controller for TDI, ensuring cost, margin, cash, and financial risk are visible, controlled, and actively managed in alignment with business objectives.

Reporting directly to the GM / SVP, the Cost Analyst provides independent financial insight and governance while maintaining a strong dotted-line partnership with the Lead Program Manager to embed financial discipline into daily program execution. The role translates operational and engineering activity into clear financial performance, enabling informed decision-making, predictable execution, and strong business outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Enterprise Financial Control & Oversight

• Serve as the primary financial control owner for TDI across all functions and programs
• Maintain end-to-end visibility of labor, material, overhead, scrap, rework, and margin performance
• Ensure financial discipline is applied consistently across Engineering, Programs, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain
• Identify, assess, and communicate financial risks and opportunities to leadership

Program Financial Control & Integration

• Embed financial control into program execution through close partnership with the Lead Program Manager
• Track and analyze program cost performance, margin, and Estimate-at-Completion (EAC)
• Assess financial impacts of scope, schedule, and engineering changes (ECRs/ECOs)
• Support program recovery planning, trade studies, and risk mitigation from a financial perspective

Operations, Engineering & Supply Chain Cost Control

• Partner with Operations to analyze labor efficiency, throughput, OEE, scrap, and rework
• Support Engineering with cost impact analysis related to design decisions, changes, and maturity
• Partner with Supply Chain on material cost, supplier performance, make/buy decisions, and lead-time risk
• Ensure production and engineering execution are accurately reflected in financial results

Budgeting, Forecasting & AOP Governance

• Support development and maintenance of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
• Own rolling forecasts, reforecasts, and variance analysis
• Identify early warning indicators relative to cost, margin, and cash performance
• Support capital expenditure analysis and return-on-investment tracking

Financial Data Integrity & Systems

• Ensure accuracy and consistency of financial data across ERP, dashboards, and reports
• Validate standard costs, labor rates, overhead application, BOM cost rollups, and routings
• Ensure financial data integrity across ERP, PLM, MES, QMS, and Program Control systems
• Maintain audit-ready financial records and reporting

Reporting & Executive Visibility

• Provide clear, concise financial reporting to GM / SVP and leadership
• Support Monthly Operating Reviews (MORs), program reviews, and executive briefings
• Translate complex financial data into actionable insights for technical and operational leaders
• Support customer-facing financial discussions as appropriate

Compliance, Governance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with corporate finance policies, GAAP, and internal control requirements
• Support internal and external audits as required
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, export controls, and data-handling requirements
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of sensitive financial and program data

Process Improvement & Financial Operating System

• Strengthen financial integration across Programs, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain
• Drive continuous improvement in cost visibility, forecasting accuracy, and financial controls
• Support maturation of TDI's financial operating system aligned to execution cadence
• Establish standard cost models, templates, and reporting practices

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct people management responsibility
• Exercises authority through financial governance, data integrity, and enterprise visibility
• Influences outcomes through independent analysis and leadership engagement

Experience and Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Strong expertise in cost accounting, financial analysis, and variance management
• Ability to operate independently as an enterprise financial authority
• Strong understanding of manufacturing, engineering, and program cost drivers
• Proficiency with ERP financial systems (Costpoint preferred) and Excel
• Ability to communicate financial insights clearly to executive, technical, and operational leaders
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and integrity
• Ability to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR)

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with program cost control, EAC forecasting, and EVMS concepts
• Experience with Power BI, Incorta, or similar analytics platforms

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Engineering, or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in cost analysis, operational finance, or program finance
• Demonstrated experience supporting cross-functional financial decision-making

Preferred

• Experience operating in AS9100-regulated or government-contract environments
• Experience supporting engineering- and manufacturing-intensive organizations

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and manufacturing environments
• May require extended hours during close, forecasting, or major program milestones
• Occasional domestic travel may be required

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 0-20% as required to support programs, audits, or cross-functional initiatives

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

#LI-Onsite

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement