Cost Analyst (w/Risk Focus)

Luster National; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited flexible time off

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with guaranteed employer</

Job summary

Luster National is seeking a Cost Analyst (w/Risk Focus) to support project controls and program finance on a large rail transit program. The role sits in the owner’s risk and cost management function in Sacramento, CA, doing data collection from contractors, building cost models, and turning results into risk and contingency insights for program leadership.

The candidate will develop preliminary cost models, analyze drivers, and track risk mitigation actions, ensuring auditable documentation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field as stated.
• 3+ years in risk, cost, or project support on large infrastructure projects.
• Experience with cost modeling, scenario analysis, and risk management concepts.
• Proficiency with MS Office; familiarity with dashboard/reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Collect and validate cost and risk data from contractors and teams.
• Develop cost models, scenario analyses, and probabilistic risk outputs.
• Integrate risk results into estimates, forecasts, and contingencies.
• Prepare risk and cost reports, dashboards, and briefing materials.

Skills

Cost analysis

Risk analysis

Project controls

Data collection

Forecasting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, finance, business

Tools

@Risk

Primavera Risk Analysis

Deltek Acumen

Safran Risk

Excel

Job description

We’re seeking aCost Analyst (w/Risk Focus)to support the project controls and program finance office on a large-scale rail transit program. You’ll sit inside the owner’s risk and cost management function, pulling data from contractors and consultants, building cost and scenario models, and turning that work into the risk and contingency picture program leadership relies on.

This is a long-term, full-time, on-site position located in Sacramento, CA.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collect and validate cost and risk data from contractors, designers, and program teams to support qualitative and quantitative risk analysis.
• Analyze cost drivers, escalation trends, and market conditions that affect program budgets and risk exposure, and flag emerging issues to senior risk and cost staff.
• Develop preliminary cost models, scenario analyses, and probabilistic risk outputs using established program methodologies.
• Integrate risk analysis results into cost estimates, forecasts, and contingency positions.
• Track risk mitigation actions to closure, coordinating with project controls, estimating, and scheduling teams to keep owners, dates, and cost impacts current.
• Maintain the program risk register and supporting cost documentation, so every analysis stays auditable and traceable.
• Evaluate contractor and consultant risk submittals for completeness, methodology, and consistency with program requirements.
• Prepare risk and cost reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for review by senior analysts and program leadership.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, finance, business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in risk, cost, or project support roles on large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects in passenger transit (bus or rail) or transportation (highways, roads, or bridges) sectors.
• Familiarity with risk management and cost analysis concepts, including performing analyses using established qualitative and quantitative methods, such as cost modeling and scenario analysis.
• Familiarity with the support of risk mitigation strategy development and maintenance in collaboration with project controls, estimating, and scheduling teams.
• Demonstrated success maintaining risk registers and cost forecasts.
• Familiarity with risk and cost management tools (e.g. @Risk, Primavera Risk Analysis, Deltek Acumen, Safran Risk, Excel, etc.).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Active professional certifications such as Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) through AACE, Project Management Professional through PMI, or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) through CMAA.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Expected Salary: $90k-$125k/year ($43-$60/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level and years of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
• Long‑term disability insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
• Formal career planning and development program
• $2,500 annually toward professional development
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
• Free personal financial planning services
• Employee assistance program
• Employee referral bonus

Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer. #IN‑LNJS

If you wish to be considered for a position where there is not an active job posted, please search for our ‘General Application’ and apply.

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes from any third-party. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email [e-mail] for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.