Cost Estimator - Education Facilities

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Stock Purchase Plan

Paid Time Off (PPTO) and holidays

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. in Manhattan, NY is seeking a skilled Cost Estimator to join a collaborative project team.

You will develop and maintain project cost controls, budgets, review contractor prices, and prepare new estimates to support timely completion of K-12 educational facilities. The role requires 5+ years in cost engineering/estimation on building MEP or civil projects, reading complex plans, and interpreting contracts.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Engineering or construction field with 5+ years cost engineering/estimation experience.
• Ability to read contract docs and construction plans to prepare estimates.
• Ability to perform quantity take offs and understand scope and specs.
• Strong communication and analytical skills for cost control and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost/change controls and project budgets.
• Review contractor unit prices and prepare new cost estimates.
• Assist in reviews with contractors and perform cost analysis.
• Prepare change order estimates/negotiations and maintain records.
• Support scheduling, document control, and RFIs to keep projects moving.

Skills

Cost Estimating

Project Coordination

Reading Plans

Communication Skills

Analytical Thinking

Education

Associate Degree in Engineering or Construction

Bachelor Degree preferred

Tools

Gordian Catalog

Job Order Contracting

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, what we do is more than construction; we play a part in moving a vision from concept to reality. If you’re interested in a rewarding career working on ENR's #1 Construction Management-for-Fee firm, then Jacobs is where you belong.

We are looking for a Cost Estimatorwho is driven by exceeding expectations to join our collaborative project team in the Manhattan, NY office working on projects that will enhance the lives of K-12 students!

In the role you’ll have the opportunity to work on active projects coordinating the progression of trades and design-field staff. You’ll provide support to the Project Managers by developing and maintaining project cost/change controls, project budget, review contractor’s unit price estimate, prepare new cost estimates, assist in reviewing process with the contractors, perform cost analysis, and change order estimates/negotiations, document control, scheduling, and RFI’s. You’ll be tasked with ensuring the project moves ahead to completion according to client standards by analyzing drawings and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.

Bring your talent for multi-tasking and extreme organizational skills, and we’ll help you grow, pursue, and fulfill what drives you!

Here’s what you’ll need

• Associate Degree in Engineering or Construction related field
• 5+ years’ experience working on building construction MEP projects and civil projects as a Cost Engineer/Estimator
• Ability to read and interpret contract documents and construction plans to prepare estimates.
• Ability to understand project scope and create estimate pertaining to the scope and specifications.
• Ability to perform quantity take offs from drawings and other technical documents.
• Ability to understand construction process and break down a construction task to understand material and labor involved.
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Bachelor Degree, Engineering or Construction related field
• Working knowledge of the Gordian Construction Task Catalog preferred
• Experience with the Job Order Contracting process, or other unit price contracts
• Forward thinking mindset and ability to actively contribute to the project with innovative ideas
• Displayed ability to learn quickly and driven to broaden knowledge base

*Sponsorship is not available for this position*

#EastPMCM #NorthPMCM

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 $85,100.00 to $116,480.00. 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 August 31, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

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 .