Senior Program Controls Analyst

Job description

About the role We are seeking a Senior Program Controls Analyst to lead cost and earned value management efforts on complex, mission-critical programs within aerospace and defense environments. This role is responsible for driving program financial integrity, ensuring forecasts reflect execution reality, and providing leadership with clear, decision-quality insight. You will operate as a trusted partner to Program Managers and Control Account Managers (CAMs), owning the financial narrative of the program. What you'll do Lead development and maintenance of program cost baselines, including time-phased budgets and control account structures Own Earned Value Management (EVM) processes within Deltek Cobra, ensuring data integrity and compliance with EVMS guidelines Develop, analyze, and defend Estimates at Completion (EAC) and Estimates to Complete (ETC) Perform deep-dive variance analysis and clearly articulate root causes, impacts, and forward-looking risks Partner directly with CAMs and program leadership to validate performance, challenge assumptions, and improve forecast accuracy Lead monthly program financial reviews, including internal leadership briefings and customer-facing deliverables Reconcile cost, schedule, and accounting data across systems (Cobra, ERP, timekeeping) to ensure consistency and audit readiness Support baseline change control processes, including BCR development, impact analysis, and implementation Ensure compliance with ANSI/EIA-748 EVMS guidelines and support DCMA/DCAA audits and surveillance activities Identify cost risks and opportunities and proactively drive mitigation strategies Qualifications 7+ years of experience in program controls, cost management, or earned value management Advanced, hands-on experience with Deltek Cobra (required) Strong expertise in EVMS principles and ANSI/EIA-748 compliance Proven experience developing and defending EACs/ETCs at the program or control account level Experience working directly with CAMs and program leadership in a client-facing environment High proficiency in Excel and large dataset analysis Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights Experience in aerospace and defense required Experience with Deltek Costpoint or equivalent ERP systems Background supporting DCMA or DCAA audits, IBRs, or surveillance reviews Familiarity with integrated cost/schedule environments and cross-functional program controls Experience leading or mentoring junior analysts Active or eligible for a U.S. security clearance About Meridian Meridian is a specialized consulting firm focused on program scheduling, program planning, and project controls for complex, high-stakes environments. We support aerospace, defense, and other technical industries by delivering high-quality scheduling, cost management, earned value management, risk analysis, and performance management solutions aligned with industry standards such as EVMS and DCAA compliance. As a trusted subcontractor to government and prime contractors, our team provides expert-level support across both schedule and cost disciplines. This includes schedule development, maintenance, and analysis, as well as cost baseline management, EAC/ETC forecasting, variance analysis, and EVMS implementation when required. Our work helps clients improve execution, reduce risk, and maintain compliance across their programs. We place a strong emphasis on technical excellence, responsiveness, and integrity. Our consultants bring deep domain expertise and leverage custom-built tools and automation to deliver efficient, data-driven insights across integrated cost and schedule environments. Meridian is a growing firm with a collaborative, high-performance culture, offering the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, mission-critical programs.