Cost Engineer

Clark Construction Group; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Clark Construction Group is seeking a Cost Engineer to join the Cost Engineering team. The role focuses on financial projections, cost planning, and analysis across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include reviewing contracts for budgets, maintaining performance reports, and collaborating with project teams on staffing, equipment, and expenses to ensure projections align with plans and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in cost engineering, budgeting, or financial planning.
• Strong quantitative and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with project cost management concepts and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Review project contract terms for budget development.
• Develop and maintain monthly/weekly productivity reports.
• Analyze staff, equipment, and expense charts with project teams.
• Compare monthly projections to project plans and identify variances.
• Identify projected cost overages and help develop recovery plans.
• Coordinate with project teams on cost control and projections.
• Perform project audits with external auditors as needed.
• Identify negative trends affecting profitability.

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Proficiency in Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Description

As a member of the Cost Engineering team, the person holding this position will perform various tasks pertaining to financial projections, cost planning and analysis, special projects, and process management. This is a position in a fast-paced department. As such, you will be expected to learn quickly and apply tasking across several functional areas including financial planning & analysis, management reporting and cost engineering.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Review each Project’s key contract terms in the development of Project budgets
• Development/Maintenance/Review of monthly / weekly productivity reports
• Develop/Review/Discussion with Project Team their Staff, Equipment and Expense Charts
• Develop/Review/Discuss with Project Team their monthly projections vs project Plan
• Identify any Projected cost overages and help in development of recovery plans
• Discussions/Review with Select Projects concerning controlling cost in projections as needed
• Manage Project Audits with Project Team with Outside Auditors as needed
• Identify Negative Trends (Project or Company Wide) prior to Effecting Profitability

Qualifications/Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
• 3 plus years of experience
• Highly motivated individual with strong work ethic and organizational skills and the ability to interact effectively with coworkers
• Strong quantitative, analytical and financial modeling skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Comprehension of job cost management , concepts and methodologies
• Careful attention to detail and reliability of output
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word is required
• Knowledge/coursework in project management, commercial real estate and/or construction is preferred, but not required
• Self Starter, ability to work independently to Achieve Common Objectives

The Physical Side of the Role:

This is an active, hands-on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently, navigating active job sites with uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion, including bending, kneeling, and reaching. You’ll need to be comfortable frequently lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, as well as visual acuity for reading plans and inspecting work. The role does include desk time in the office that may require prolonged periods of sitting for tasks like computer work, document review, and meetings.

Your Work Environment:

You’ll spend a significant amount of your time on active construction sites, which means being adaptable to all kinds of weather and moderate to loud noise levels, and comfortable in elevated or confined work areas with moving mechanical equipment and with the fast-paced nature of a project in progress. You will also spend time in a typical office setting with moderate noise levels. Your safety is our top priority, and you'll be expected to follow Clark Construction's safety policies and procedures, and all applicable laws, at all locations.

Our High-Performing Culture:

This is a demanding, high-performance environment. We are looking for candidates who are energized by challenge, thrive under pressure, and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve exceptional results. Success in this role requires significant commitment, including flexibility to work extended hours, especially during critical project phases or client deadlines. Beyond regular working hours, there will be occasions where business needs require your attention, particularly for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. You are expected to monitor and respond to communications (phone calls, emails, text messages) as required to address these situations effectively. Your ability to manage these expectations and be responsive when critical issues arise is key to your success in this role and our collective success as a team.

A Drug Free Workplace:

Clark promotes a drug free workplace. A pre-employment drug “fitness for duty” screening is required, and the company conducts random quarterly drug “fitness for duty” tests.