Senior Project Controls Analyst – Cobra Specialist

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world.   For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed.  Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions.  Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world.  Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves.   We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

What We’re Looking For:

We are seeking a Senior Project Controls Analyst and Deltek Cobra Application Specialist who thrives at the intersection of project scheduling, cost management, and earned value management. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert for Deltek Cobra and take ownership of complex project controls activities, including the integration and analysis of cost and schedule data across our earned value toolset. You will independently identify and resolve complex issues, provide guidance to Schedulers and Control Account Managers (CAMs), and help ensure project controls processes and data meet program and customer requirements. You will succeed in this role if you are a proactive problem-solver who can translate technical project progress into meaningful earned value insights and influence effective project controls practices across the program.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and primary resource for Deltek Cobra, providing guidance, troubleshooting complex issues, and promoting consistent application of Cobra processes across the program
• Own and execute the monthly integration process (Integration Wizard) between Microsoft Project and Cobra, independently identifying and resolving complex mapping, configuration, and data-flow issues
• Provide advanced guidance to CAMs and Schedulers on the use of Cobra, including performance analysis, variance identification, Estimates to Complete (ETCs), and interpretation of earned value data
• Lead the implementation of approved Budget Change Requests (BCRs), baseline revisions, and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) within the project controls system, ensuring changes are accurately incorporated and traceable
• Prepare, validate, and analyze IPMR/IPMDAR reporting for prime contractor and customer submission, identifying issues and driving corrective actions prior to delivery
• Perform comprehensive audits and analyses of project controls data to identify anomalies, systemic issues, and compliance risks in accordance with EIA-748 and DCMA guidelines
• Lead project controls support for the EAC/VAC process by analyzing performance trends, developing tool-driven projections, identifying emerging risks, and providing recommendations to CAMs and program leadership
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CAMs, Schedulers, and technical leads regarding the appropriate application of EVM principles, processes, and methodologies
• Provide advanced support and guidance for EVM activities including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development and alignment, time-phasing, earned value methodology development, performance measurement, ETC analysis, and variance analysis and reporting
• Analyze actuals and budget data, resolve discrepancies, and oversee the accurate implementation and disposition of budget changes
• Evaluate contractual and programmatic changes for project controls impacts and ensure cost and schedule baselines remain realistic, integrated, and aligned with contractual requirements
• Lead root-cause analysis of significant cost and schedule variances, identify trends and abnormalities, and recommend corrective actions
• Identify opportunities to improve project controls processes, tools, reporting, and data integrity, and lead or support implementation of improvements
• Provide informal coaching and technical guidance to less experienced project controls professionals and program team members

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or other related discipline from an accredited college/university
• 8+ years of professional experience in program controls, business management, or other related fields
• Demonstrated experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry, particularly with DoD (Department of Defense)
• Advanced knowledge and experience with Deltek Cobra
• Strong Program Controls skills and proficient knowledge with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – pivot tables, VLookup, conditional formatting and other advanced functions)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues to groups outside of your team or those who are unfamiliar with the topic 
• Have confidence and be able to easily build relationships with leadership and colleagues outside of your team 
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions and come up with out-of-the-box solutions 
• Be proactive in providing feedback and be enthusiastic in sharing your knowledge with others 
• Capable of prioritizing your own tasks and potentially the tasks of others while making sure deadlines are met 

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Master’s degree in Business, Finance, or other related discipline from an accredited college/university
• An active/current Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

We’ll also need you to:

• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer. 

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $105,000 - $145,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.  

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.