Project Analyst

Saalex is seeking a Project Analyst in Ridgecrest, CA to support project planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting by collecting and analyzing project data, maintaining accurate documentation, tracking milestones, and helping identify risks, issues, and opportunities for improvement. This role works closely with project managers, team members, and stakeholders to ensure projects remain aligned with organizational goals, schedules, budgets, and performance expectations.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $80k-$150k annually (depending upon experience)

Work Location: Onsite.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with development and maintenance of project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and action item trackers.
• Collect, organize, and analyze project data to support decision-making, performance reporting, and trend identification.
• Prepare project status reports, dashboards, briefings, and other stakeholder communications.
• Monitor project progress against scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives; identify variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, meeting notes, risk registers, issue logs, and change records.
• Support budget tracking, cost analysis, invoice review, funding status updates, and related financial reporting as needed.
• Coordinate with project managers, functional leads, customers, subcontractors, and internal teams to gather inputs and resolve open items.
• Identify project risks, dependencies, bottlenecks, and process gaps; recommend mitigation strategies or process improvements.
• Support preparation for project reviews, audits, customer meetings, and internal leadership briefings.
• Ensure project activities and documentation comply with company policies, contract requirements, and applicable procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• This position typically operates in a professional office or hybrid work environment. The role requires regular use of a computer, participation in meetings, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. Occasional travel may be required based on project needs.

Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, finance, data analytics, operations, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Two or more years of experience supporting project management, operations, business analysis, finance, contract administration, or a related function.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to develop accurate reports, track action items, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex information clearly.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Desired:

• Experience supporting government contracts, technical programs, operations teams, or regulated project environments.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies, project controls, risk management, earned value concepts, or continuous improvement practices.
• Experience with project management or business tools such as Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Power BI, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar systems.
• Project Management Professional, Certified Associate in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, or related certification.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, finance, data analytics, operations, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.

Security Clearance:

• Active Secret clearance required. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.

Benefits

• Employer Paid Health Care Plans for Employees & Family
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Stock Option Benefit