Costing Specialist

Role Summary:

Head of Costing

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Cost Management

• Lead the development and implementation of robust costing frameworks for defense and aerospace projects.
  
• Drive accurate cost estimation for new products, components, systems, and complex assemblies.
  
• Collaborate with design, engineering, supply chain, and production teams to gather and validate cost inputs.
  

Pricing & Bid Support

• Work closely with business development and proposal teams to prepare cost proposals for RFPs/RFQs.
  
• Develop competitive pricing strategies in alignment with project objectives and profitability goals.
  
• Ensure costing submissions comply with defense procurement norms (DPP/DAP, MoD pricing policies, offset frameworks, etc.).
  

Cost Analysis & Control

• Conduct variance analysis between estimated and actual costs; recommend corrective actions.
  
• Monitor material costs, labor rates, overheads, and subcontractor pricing.
  
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through design-to-cost, value engineering, and lean initiatives.
  

Reporting & Compliance

• Present cost models, reports, and dashboards to executive leadership for strategic decision-making.
  
• Ensure compliance with internal financial controls and external audit standards.
  
• Support statutory audits, government audits, and contract reviews with accurate costing documentation.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, or Cost Accounting; ICWA/CMA or MBA (Finance) preferred.
  
• 1220 years of experience in costing roles within defense, aerospace, automotive, or heavy engineering sectors.
  
• Strong understanding of defense procurement, cost-plus models, fixed-price bidding, and offset requirements.
  
• Proven experience in cost modeling for complex engineered products and assemblies.
  
• Expertise in cost estimation tools, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), and Excel-based models.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with defense agencies (MoD, DRDO, DPSUs) or aerospace OEMs.
  
• Knowledge of AS9100, MIL-STD, and other defense/aerospace compliance standards.
  
• Exposure to Design-to-Cost (DTC), Target Costing, and Life Cycle Costing (LCC).