Construction Cost Engineer / Estimator

Lrs-Federal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LRS Federal is seeking a highly skilled Construction Cost Engineer to support multiple programs across public and private sectors. You will provide estimating, cost engineering, takeoffs, constructability input, pricing, and cost analysis throughout the project lifecycle.

The role supports active projects and future proposals while collaborating with Project Managers, QA, and executive leadership. This is a fully remote position with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Experience estimating across one or more project delivery methods such as Design-Build, DBB, CMAR, IPD, EPC.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong knowledge of CSI MasterFormat and construction assemblies.
• Experience preparing estimates from conceptual through construction document level.
• Excellent analytical and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, budgetary, detailed, and definitive construction cost estimates.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications.
• Review contractor estimates for completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness.
• Develop independent cost opinions throughout design and construction.
• Support value engineering evaluations from a cost perspective.
• Prepare cost comparisons and life-cycle cost analyses.
• Assist with change order evaluations and cost negotiations.
• Analyze cost impacts from RFIs, design revisions, substitutions, and scope changes.
• Maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking information.

Skills

Estimating

Cost engineering

Quantity takeoffs

Constructability review

Cost analysis

Proposal pricing

Cost risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Engineering/Related field

Job description

Position Summary LRS Federal is seeking an experienced Construction Cost Engineer to support multiple construction programs across both public and private sectors. The successful candidate will provide estimating, cost engineering, quantity takeoffs, constructability support, proposal pricing, and cost analysis throughout the project lifecycle.

This position will support active construction projects, business development efforts, and future proposal opportunities while working closely with Project Managers, Design Managers, QA personnel, and executive leadership.

The ideal candidate possesses strong estimating experience across multiple project types and delivery methods and is capable of developing accurate conceptual through definitive estimates while providing practical construction insight during project execution.

This is a fully remote position with occasional travel as required.

Primary Responsibilities

Construction Cost Engineering

• Prepare conceptual, budgetary, detailed, and definitive construction cost estimates.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs from construction drawings and specifications.
• Review contractor estimates for completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness.
• Develop independent cost opinions throughout design and construction.
• Support value engineering evaluations from a cost perspective.
• Prepare cost comparisons and life-cycle cost analyses.
• Assist with change order evaluations and cost negotiations.
• Analyze cost impacts associated with RFIs, design revisions, substitutions, and scope changes.
• Maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking information.

Project Support

• Participate in multidisciplinary design reviews.
• Review drawings for constructability from a cost and execution perspective.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities early in design.
• Support schedule and sequencing discussions where they impact project cost.
• Assist Project Managers with forecasting, budgeting, and cost tracking.
• Provide independent cost opinions to support owner decision-making.

Proposal Support

• Develop pricing for competitive proposals and negotiated procurements.
• Prepare labor, equipment, subcontractor, and material estimates.
• Coordinate vendor and subcontractor quotations.
• Support proposal narratives and pricing strategies.
• Assist with capture planning and proposal reviews.

Required Experience

Candidates should possess estimating experience supporting one or more of the following project delivery methods:

• Design-Build (DB)
• Design-Bid-Build (DBB)
• Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
• Construction Management Agency (CMa)
• Progressive Design-Build (PDB)
• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)
• EPC / Engineer-Procure-Construct
• Job Order Contracting (JOC)

IDIQ Task Order Contracting Experience estimating projects within one or more of the following markets is preferred: Healthcare, Industrial Manufacturing, Mission Critical / Data Centers, Heavy Civil Infrastructure, Commercial, Government Facilities, Municipal, Water / Wastewater, others

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum five years of construction estimating and cost engineering experience.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong knowledge of CSI Master Format and construction assemblies.
• Experience preparing estimates from conceptual through construction document level.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Not required but nice to have:

• Ten or more years of estimating or cost engineering experience.
• Experience supporting large commercial, industrial, healthcare, infrastructure, or institutional projects.
• Experience working collaboratively with Owners, Designers, Contractors, and Construction Managers.
• Professional certifications such as: Certified Cost Professional (CCP) Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) Professional Engineer (PE) Certified Construction Manager (CCM) Project Management Professional (PMP)