Cost Estimator

Jacobs; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) plan

Stock purchase

PPTO

Holidays

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to support the LAWA Terminal 5 program in Los Angeles. You will develop and maintain cost estimates through design and construction, perform independent cost estimates, and assist with budget development across multiple phases.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in cost estimating for large capital projects, with proficiency in On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, and Excel, and strong communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• 10+ years of cost estimating and/or project management experience supporting large capital projects.
• Experience preparing detailed estimates for commercial, institutional, transportation, aviation, or infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of CSI divisions, construction means and methods, and current market pricing.
• Proficiency in industry estimating software such as On-Screen Takeoff and Bluebeam.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and cost analysis.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and project schedules.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document cost estimates for aviation and vertical construction projects.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses from plans, specifications, and technical documents.
• Review consultant and contractor estimates for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to industry standards.
• Perform independent cost estimates (ICE) and estimate reconciliation exercises.
• Support budget development, cost planning, and program-wide forecasting activities.
• Analyze labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, escalation, and market conditions affecting project costs.
• Assist project controls teams with cost trending, change management, contingency analysis, and risk assessments.
• Participate in value engineering workshops and constructability reviews.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking tools.
• Coordinate closely with LAWA stakeholders, designers, contractors, and program management teams.
• Prepare executive-level cost reports, presentations, and estimate documentation.

Skills

Cost estimation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related field

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical infrastructure challenges. As a Cost Estimator supporting the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Terminal 5 Program, you'll play a key role in delivering one of the nation's most high-profile aviation modernization initiatives. Working alongside program management, design, construction, and client teams, you'll provide comprehensive cost estimating services that support project planning, budgeting, procurement, and execution.

As a Cost Estimator, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining project cost estimates throughout all phases of design and construction for Terminal 5 capital improvement projects. You will provide detailed analyses, cost forecasting, benchmarking, and reporting to support informed project decision-making and successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document cost estimates for aviation and vertical construction projects.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses from plans, specifications, and technical documents.
• Review consultant and contractor estimates for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to industry standards.
• Perform independent cost estimates (ICE) and estimate reconciliation exercises.
• Support budget development, cost planning, and program-wide forecasting activities.
• Analyze labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, escalation, and market conditions affecting project costs.
• Assist project controls teams with cost trending, change management, contingency analysis, and risk assessments.
• Participate in value engineering workshops and constructability reviews.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking tools.
• Coordinate closely with LAWA stakeholders, designers, contractors, and program management teams.
• Prepare executive-level cost reports, presentations, and estimate documentation.
• This role aligns to our Transportation team in California.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• 10+ years of cost estimating and/or project management experience supporting large capital projects.
• Experience preparing detailed estimates for commercial, institutional, transportation, aviation, or infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of CSI divisions, construction means and methods, and current market pricing.
• Proficiency in industry estimating software such as
• On-Screen Takeoff
• Bluebeam
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and cost analysis.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and project schedules.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience supporting airport, aviation, transportation, or large public-sector infrastructure programs.
• Experience working with LAWA, aviation authorities, or major airport modernization projects.
• Professional certifications such as
• AACE International Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
• Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
• PMP
• Familiarity with project controls, earned value management, and risk-based estimating methodologies.
• Experience on projects exceeding $1Billion in construction value.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $126,300.00 to $193,200.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on October 15, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.