Cost Engineer

China Harbour (Singapore) Engineering Company Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

China Harbour (Singapore) Engineering Company Pte Ltd seeks an experienced Costing Engineer (Tendering & Pricing) to join its Commercial Centre in Singapore. You will lead tender cost estimation, develop pricing strategies, and manage cost control across construction and international EPC projects.

You will coordinate with engineering, procurement and project teams, review BOQ and quotations, and drive competitive pricing while mitigating commercial risks. Travel overseas may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (Civil/Construction cost engineering).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in construction costing, tendering, pricing or commercial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead tender cost estimation, pricing analysis and commercial bid preparation for construction and EPC projects.
• Prepare and review BOQ, take-offs, unit rate analysis and detailed cost breakdowns.
• Develop tender pricing strategies with cost comparisons and risk assessments.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement and project teams to ensure timely tender submissions.
• Review subcontractor prices and negotiate competitive pricing.
• Develop project cost estimates, budgets and cost control plans for awarded projects.
• Monitor costs, cash flow, variances and profitability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support contract administration, variation orders and commercial negotiations.

Skills

Tendering & Pricing

Cost estimation

BOQ review

Cost control

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering / Quantity Surveying / Construction Management / Cost Engineering

Tools

Excel

Glodon

CostX

Candy CCS

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Costing Engineer (Tendering & Pricing) to join our Commercial Centre in Singapore. The successful candidate will be responsible for tender cost estimation, pricing strategy, commercial bid preparation, cost control and contract management for construction and engineering projects, including international EPC projects.

The role involves coordinating with internal departments, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure competitive tender pricing, accurate cost assessments and effective commercial risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Tendering & Pricing

• Lead and coordinate tender cost estimation, pricing analysis and commercial bid preparation for construction and EPC projects.
• Prepare and review Bills of Quantities (BOQ), quantity take-offs, unit rate analysis and detailed cost breakdowns.
• Develop competitive tender pricing strategies through cost comparisons, profitability assessments and risk evaluations.
• Conduct pre-tender cost assessments, identify commercial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Coordinate with engineering, technical, procurement and project teams to ensure accurate and timely tender submissions.
• Review subcontractor and supplier quotations, conduct comparative cost analyses and negotiate competitive pricing.
• Prepare and review financial and commercial tender documents in accordance with project requirements.

Cost Management & Commercial Control

• Develop project cost estimates, execution budgets and cost control plans for awarded projects.
• Monitor project costs, cash flow, cost variances and profitability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct cost benchmarking, market price assessments and value engineering evaluations.
• Review subcontractor quotations, payment claims, variations and final accounts.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend improvements to project commercial performance.
• Maintain accurate cost records and prepare regular commercial and financial reports for management.

Contract Administration & Risk Management

• Manage commercial and contractual matters involving clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Review contract terms, commercial obligations and potential contractual risks.
• Support variation orders, extension of time claims, contractual claims and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable contract conditions, project specifications and internal commercial procedures.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve commercial and contractual issues.

Tendering Systems & Team Coordination

• Establish and maintain cost databases covering materials, labour, equipment, subcontractor rates and market pricing.
• Develop and improve standardised tender estimation templates, pricing procedures and cost reporting systems.
• Supervise and coordinate tendering and quantity surveying activities to ensure accuracy and timely completion.
• Provide technical guidance and support to team members on costing, tender preparation and commercial matters.
• Collaborate with regional project teams on tendering, cost estimation and commercial activities.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Cost Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in construction costing, tendering, pricing or commercial management.
• Experience in large-scale construction, infrastructure or EPC projects is preferred.
• Experience in international construction projects, including tender preparation, cost estimation and contract administration, would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of BOQ preparation, quantity take-off, unit rate analysis and construction cost estimation.
• Familiarity with FIDIC, PSSCOC or other relevant construction contract conditions would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of international measurement standards, such as SMM or CESMM, is preferred.
• Experience in subcontractor procurement, quotation evaluation, commercial negotiations and variation claims.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and relevant costing or quantity surveying software, such as Glodon, CostX, Candy CCS or equivalent.
• Strong analytical, numerical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to work independently and manage multiple tender submissions within project deadlines.
• Willing to travel overseas for project or tender-related assignments when required.

Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent