Senior Cost Engineer

PACO Group; New Jersey; On-site; USD 135,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan

Employer 401(k) matching

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Group life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

AD&D insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Professional development assistance

Job summary

PACO Group, Inc. is seeking a Senior Cost Engineer to support the Hudson Tunnel Project in New Jersey. You will drive cost estimating, forecasting, and budget control, partnering with project managers, engineers, and contractors to keep the program on financial target.

Responsibilities include independent cost estimating, change management, risk assessment, and rigorous reporting. The role demands strong analytical skills, expertise with cost management tools, and a collaborative mindset to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of cost engineering, estimating, or project controls for large infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost estimating methodologies, budget management, and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with project management plans, contract administration, and change management processes.
• Proficiency in cost management software and tools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in both office and field environments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review independent cost estimates for procurements and project needs.
• Analyze contractor price proposals, change order estimates, and claims.
• Validate and recommend approval, amendment, or rejection of contractor cost submissions.
• Track, forecast, and report on all contract changes, allowances, and budget impacts.
• Develop and implement metrics and processes for cost management.
• Support project controls, including schedule management and risk assessment related to cost.
• Update risk registers and contingency planning reports.
• Contribute to monthly and quarterly financial reporting.
• Advise on supply chain market conditions and commodity fluctuations.
• Ensure accurate tracking and records control.

Skills

Cost engineering

Estimating

Project controls

Budget management

Financial reporting

Contract administration

Change management

Cost management software

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Office and field work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Finance or related field

Tools

Cost management software

Job description

Senior Cost Engineer

The Senior Cost Engineer will play a key role in the financial management, cost estimating, and budget control of the Hudson Tunnel Project. This position is responsible for supporting project delivery through rigorous cost analysis, forecasting, reporting, and change management. The Senior Cost Engineer will collaborate with project managers, engineers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure the project remains on budget and meets all financial performance targets.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Analysis

• Prepare and review independent cost estimates for procurements and project needs.
• Analyze contractor price proposals, change order estimates, and claims.
• Validate and recommend approval, amendment, or rejection of contractor cost submissions.

Budget Management & Forecasting

• Implement cost and budget management requirements in alignment with the Hudson Tunnel Project Management Plan (HTP PMP).
• Track, forecast, and report on all contract changes, allowances, and budget impacts.
• Develop and implement supplemental metrics, procedures, and processes for effective cost management.

Project Controls & Reporting

• Support project controls, including schedule management and risk assessment related to cost.
• Update risk registers and assessment reports for contingency planning.
• Contribute to daily, monthly, and quarterly reporting on project status, progress, and financial compliance.

Change Management

• Assist in reviewing and managing all project contract, cost, schedule, risk, and environmental impact changes.
• Coordinate changes to designs and contract documentation, ensuring proper financial tracking.

Supply Chain & Market Analysis

• Advise on impacts to project costs related to supply chain market conditions and fluctuations in commodities, materials, and equipment.

Document & Records Control

• Ensure accurate tracking, storage, and retrieval of cost-related documents and records.
• Support document control processes for financial documentation.

Dispute & Conflict Resolution

• Provide technical support for disputes and conflict resolution proceedings related to cost, schedule, and other project issues.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with Federal, state, and local funding requirements, including grants administration and reporting.
• Participate in audits and reviews to confirm adherence to project controls and financial standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in cost engineering, estimating, or project controls for large infrastructure or transportation projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost estimating methodologies, budget management, and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with project management plans, contract administration, and change management processes.
• Proficiency in cost management software and tools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in both office and field environments.

Compensation

The good-faith compensation range for this position is $65-$75 per hour. The final rate will be based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, certifications, technical expertise, and applicable client requirements.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Group life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Professional development assistance

EEO Diversity Statement

PACO Group, Inc. is committed to furthering opportunities for everyone in the national construction market. The firm periodically reaffirms this commitment through an active affirmative action plan. It provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees without unlawful discrimination regarding race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, religion, military status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or citizenship status. As an equal opportunity employer, we have recruited, hired, promoted, and retained an ethnically and socially diverse professional staff. Our efforts to date have produced a multidisciplinary workforce - a record of diversity that extends to the highest levels.