Cost Engineer

Arora Engineers, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Arora Engineers, Inc. is seeking a Cost Engineer to develop, monitor, and forecast costs across infrastructure, aviation, and transportation projects.

This role leads cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, risk analysis, and performance measurement to keep projects financially healthy and aligned with cost objectives. Collaboration with PMs, designers, and contractors is essential for accurate cost management and informed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control principles.
• Experience with infrastructure, aviation, utilities, or transportation projects.
• Familiarity with multiple delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, GC/CM).
• Ability to interpret drawings and contractual documents; proficient in cost software.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, design-phase, and construction cost estimates.
• Prepare quantity takeoffs, estimate analyses and cost evaluations.
• Establish project cost baselines and forecasting methodologies.
• Monitor expenditures, prepare monthly cost reports, and support change management.
• Coordinate with PMs, construction managers, and contract teams on cost decisions.
• Support earned value management and performance reporting.

Skills

Cost estimating

Budgeting

Forecasting

Project controls

Risk management

Financial analysis

Contract management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Economics, Project Management

Master's degree preferred

Professional certifications ( CCP, PSP, PMP, CEP, CCM, PE ) preferred

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Excel

Power BI

Deltek

EcoSys

Timberline

CostX

Job description

Description

General Summary The Cost Engineer is responsible for developing, monitoring, analyzing, and forecasting project costs throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure, aviation, transportation, facilities, and capital improvement projects. This role provides leadership in cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, change management, risk analysis, and project performance measurement to support successful project delivery. The Cost Engineer works closely with project managers, construction managers, contract managers, designers, contractors, consultants, and client stakeholders to ensure projects are properly budgeted, financially managed, and aligned with established cost objectives. The position plays a critical role in maintaining project financial health, identifying cost risks, evaluating trends, and supporting informed decision-making throughout project execution. All duties shall be carried out in compliance with client policies and procedures, applicable regulations, and company standards.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Budget Development

• ¦ Develop conceptual, preliminary, design-phase, and construction cost estimates for infrastructure and capital projects.
• ¦ Prepare quantity takeoffs, estimate analyses, and cost evaluations using industry-standard estimating practices.
• ¦ Support development of project budgets, funding requirements, and capital improvement plans.
• ¦ Review estimates prepared by consultants, designers, contractors, and third-party estimators.
• ¦ Evaluate estimate assumptions, contingencies, escalation factors, and risk allowances.
• ¦ Develop independent cost estimates to support procurement and contract negotiations.

Cost Planning & Forecasting

• ¦ Establish project cost baselines and budget structures.
• ¦ Develop cost management plans and forecasting methodologies.
• ¦ Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and funding allocations.
• ¦ Prepare monthly cost forecasts and estimate-at-completion projections.
• ¦ Identify potential budget variances and recommend corrective actions.
• ¦ Support long-range financial planning and funding strategies.

Cost Control

• ¦ Track project commitments, expenditures, accruals, and obligations.
• ¦ Analyze cost performance and identify emerging financial risks and opportunities.
• ¦ Monitor budget utilization and project cash flow.
• ¦ Develop and maintain cost tracking systems and reporting tools.
• ¦ Evaluate contractor cost proposals and financial impacts associated with project decisions.
• ¦ Support implementation of corrective measures to maintain budget compliance.

Project Controls Integration

• ¦ Coordinate cost management activities with project schedules, risk management, and performance reporting processes.
• ¦ Support development and maintenance of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), cost codes, and control accounts.
• ¦ Perform cost and schedule integration analyses.
• ¦ Monitor project performance metrics and key performance indicators.
• ¦ Support earned value management and trend analysis where applicable.
• ¦ Participate in project controls reviews and reporting activities.

Change Management

• ¦ Analyze cost impacts associated with scope changes, design revisions, and unforeseen conditions.
• ¦ Review and evaluate change orders, contract modifications, and potential project impacts.
• ¦ Develop independent cost assessments for proposed changes.
• ¦ Collaborate with project and contract management teams to support change negotiations.
• ¦ Monitor cumulative change impacts and cost exposure throughout the project lifecycle.
• ¦ Maintain change logs and associated financial documentation.

Risk Analysis & Contingency Management

• ¦ Support development and maintenance of project risk registers.
• ¦ Evaluate potential financial impacts associated with project risks and uncertainties.
• ¦ Develop contingency recommendations based on project complexity and risk exposure.
• ¦ Conduct quantitative and qualitative cost risk analyses.
• ¦ Monitor risk trends and recommend mitigation strategies.
• ¦ Provide financial analysis to support project decision-making and risk management efforts.

Procurement & Contract Support

• ¦ Support procurement planning and cost evaluations during solicitation and contractor selection processes.
• ¦ Review bids, proposals, and pricing submissions for competitiveness and reasonableness.
• ¦ Assist with cost analyses associated with procurement decisions.
• ¦ Support contract negotiations through preparation of independent estimates and cost evaluations.
• ¦ Coordinate with contract management teams regarding commercial and financial matters.
• ¦ Analyze contractor payment applications and earned progress against contract values.

Reporting & Performance Analysis

• ¦ Prepare monthly cost reports, forecasts, dashboards, and executive summaries.
• ¦ Develop presentations and financial analyses for project leadership and clients.
• ¦ Monitor cost trends and identify performance issues requiring management attention.
• ¦ Communicate budget status, financial risks, and forecast changes to stakeholders.
• ¦ Support audits, project reviews, and compliance assessments.
• ¦ Maintain project cost records and supporting documentation.

Stakeholder Coordination

• ¦ Collaborate with project managers, construction managers, contract managers, finance teams, designers, and contractors.
• ¦ Participate in project meetings and provide cost-related guidance and recommendations.
• ¦ Support client reporting requirements and financial reviews.
• ¦ Facilitate communication regarding cost performance, funding needs, and financial risks.
• ¦ Assist project teams in evaluating alternatives and value engineering opportunities.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• ¦ Promote best practices in estimating, cost control, forecasting, and project controls.
• ¦ Support development of standard estimating procedures, templates, and cost databases.
• ¦ Mentor junior project controls and cost engineering personnel.
• ¦ Contribute to organizational initiatives focused on efficiency, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• ¦ Foster a culture of accountability, financial discipline, and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• ¦ Strong knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control principles.
• ¦ Comprehensive understanding of project controls methodologies and industry best practices.
• ¦ Experience with infrastructure, aviation, transportation, utility, facility, or public-sector capital projects.
• ¦ Knowledge of construction methods, procurement processes, contract administration, and project delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, and GC/CM.
• ¦ Understanding of risk management, change management, and performance measurement techniques.
• ¦ Strong analytical, mathematical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• ¦ Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and contractual documents.
• ¦ Proficiency with project controls and estimating software, including Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Excel, Power BI, Deltek, EcoSys, Timberline, CostX, or similar tools.

Requirements

Experience Requirements

• ¦ Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in cost engineering, estimating, project controls, construction management, or related disciplines.
• ¦ Demonstrated success supporting large-scale transportation, aviation, utility, facility, or infrastructure programs.
• ¦ Experience developing cost estimates at multiple design stages and throughout project execution.
• ¦ Experience with forecasting, earned value management, cost reporting, and financial performance analysis preferred.
• ¦ Experience supporting public-sector capital programs and alternative delivery methods preferred.

Education Requirements

• ¦ Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Economics, Project Management, or a related field.
• ¦ Master's degree in a related discipline is preferred.
• ¦ Professional certifications such as CCP (Certified Cost Professional), PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional), PMP, CEP, CCM, PE, or equivalent are preferred.