Field Cost Engineer

First Point Group; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 61,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

First Point Group in Chandler, AZ seeks a Cost Engineer for a 12-month contract to lead cost engineering, analysis, and control on a cutting-edge semiconductor project. You will develop cost-control requirements, validate reports, and support decision-making with detailed insights.

The role requires 8–14 years of relevant experience and a strong foundation in cost estimating, forecasting, and financial reporting. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and adherence to schedules are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or international equivalent with 8–10 years of relevant experience, or 12–14 years in lieu of a degree.
• Extensive experience implementing change management processes and tools.
• Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with cost estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and cost analysis.
• Knowledge of financial reporting systems and cost coding.
• Ability to guide and coach junior Cost Engineers.

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and monitor project budgets, change management activities, cost performance, variance analysis, and cost reports.
• Review and validate cost reports for accuracy and consistency with prior periods.
• Prepare, monitor, and validate project cash flow forecasts and earnings.
• Support PwC project audit with required documentation.
• Ensure accurate cost coding of budgets and expenditures.
• Perform budget allocations per standards and requirements.
• Identify cost trends and support change control processes.
• Prepare cost studies using historical data and statistical analysis.
• Provide actionable insights to support decision-making.
• Develop and implement improved cost engineering techniques.

Skills

Cost engineering

Cost control

Cost forecasting

Cost analysis

Change management

Financial reporting

Coaching junior engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience

Job description

Great opportunity for a Cost Engineer in Chandler, AZ with a major Energy Renewables corporation!

Work Location: Chandler, AZ

Contract Duration: 12 months (possible extension / conversion to perm)

Number of Positions: 3

Pay Rate Ranges: $44-$57, $51.40/hr-$66.71/hr, $59.35-$77.03/hr

Project Overview

This project is an advanced semiconductor fabrication facility located in Chandler, Arizona. The M&T team is responsible for delivering the engineering, procurement, and construction scope required to complete and finish out a leading-edge chip manufacturing facility.

The project operates in a highly demanding environment where precision, cleanliness, schedule certainty, and seamless coordination among thousands of craft and professional personnel are critical to success. It supports the continued expansion of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity, strengthening the resilience of the U.S. technology supply chain while creating significant opportunities for the Arizona workforce.

Joining the team provides an opportunity to contribute directly to one of the most strategically important construction initiatives in the United States and help deliver the infrastructure supporting the next generation of microelectronics.

Job Summary

The Cost Engineer will be responsible for cost engineering, analysis, and cost control activities for complex projects with significant non-routine requirements and a high degree of technical complexity.

This role will support the development and implementation of project cost-control requirements, prepare cost reconciliations, analyze cost trends, and provide detailed financial and performance insights to support project decision-making. The successful candidate will apply sound cost engineering practices and analytical techniques to identify challenges, develop innovative solutions, and maintain effective project cost control.

Major Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and monitor project budgets, change management activities, cost performance, cost variance analysis, quantity and craft labor reporting (QURR), and other periodic cost reports.
• Review and validate cost reports for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with previous reporting periods.
• Prepare, monitor, and validate project cash flow forecasts and revenue earnings.
• Support the semiannual PwC project audit, including preparation and review of required documentation.
• Ensure accurate and consistent cost coding of project budgets and actual expenditures.
• Perform budget allocations in accordance with established standards, procedures, and project requirements.
• Identify emerging cost trends and support the project change control process.
• Prepare detailed cost studies using historical project data, statistical analysis, and cost and quantity comparisons.
• Analyze project cost performance and provide actionable insights to support project management and decision-making.
• Develop and implement improved cost engineering techniques and processes to address project-specific requirements.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or international equivalent with 8–10 years of relevant experience, or 12–14 years of relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive experience implementing change management processes and tools, including the development of cost trend estimates and their integration with project schedules and cost management systems.
• Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to understand and interpret both technical and non-technical scope impacts for cost trends and baseline change documentation.
• Demonstrated experience executing, monitoring, and evaluating cost engineering activities, including cost estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and cost analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of financial reporting systems, controller account codes, and applicable Controller instructions affecting Project Controls.
• Ability to independently provide guidance, training, and coaching to junior Cost Engineers with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Demonstrated experience preparing cost studies using historical data, statistical analysis, and cost and quantity comparisons.
• Ability to develop and implement innovative techniques and approaches to address specific project requirements.
• Demonstrated flexibility and responsiveness when managing urgent project requests and shifting priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify cost risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, technically complex project environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.