Cost Estimator - West Coast U.S.

Jacobs; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Construction Cost Estimator to support projects nationally, focusing on heavy civil, highway, bridge, transit, rail, airports, and urban development. You will review design documents, prepare estimates, and develop work breakdown structures while collaborating with a skilled team to meet deadlines.

The role is hybrid, assigned to a Jacobs office near you with two days on-site weekly, and involves cost and risk assessment, change orders, and coordination with contracts staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Progressive and successful cost estimating experience in transportation projects.
• Proficient use of MS Office, HCSS (HeavyBid) estimating software and BlueBeam.

Responsibilities

• Develop capital cost estimates for transportation/transit projects.
• Review and validate change orders.
• Maintain organized and detailed files, project records and logs.
• Attend project meetings as required.

Skills

Team leadership

Team collaboration

Cost estimation experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management or related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

HCSS HeavyBid

BlueBeam

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

We’re seeking a construction Cost Estimator to support our projects and clients across the country. The types of projects include heavy civil, highway, bridge, transit, rail, airports, and urban development.

You’ll review design documents, proposals, specifications, drawings, attend design development meetings and assess the risk and cost impacts required to develop the estimates. We'll lean on you to collaborate with a knowledgeable and supportive team as you prepare estimates by reviewing and comprehending scope documents, developing project work breakdown structures, calculating complete scope of work take-offs, assist contracts staff with statements of work for subcontractors and vendors, apply construction means and methods, calculate indirect field and owner’s costs, and meeting necessary deadlines.

This position is open to any of Jacobs' office locations in the Western region of the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop capital cost estimates for transportation/transit projects.
• Review and validate change orders.
• Maintain organized and detailed files, project records and logs.
• Attend project meetings as required.

Please Note -- This is a Hybrid role and you'll be assigned to the closest Jacobs office nearest where you live to enable you to work from this office 2 days a week.

Bring your curiosity, passion for innovation, and talent for multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment. We’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what inspires you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together.

Here’s what you’ll need

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Progressive and successful cost estimating experience in transportation projects.
• Proficient use of MS Office products, HCSS (HeavyBid) estimating software and BlueBeam.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Bachelors' degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.
• At least 1-5 years of estimating and construction experience related to heavy civil construction Alternative delivery procurement experience.
• Experience working in teams and demonstrated leadership.

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 $70,000.00 to $100,000.00. 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 14, 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.