Cost Engineer Jobs
Cost engineer jobs are open across construction, oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing, from entry-level estimator to senior and principal, with specializations in project controls, quantity surveying, and parametric cost modeling. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Cost Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 128+ Cost Engineer jobs
About Us
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.
The Role We Want You For
As a Project Cost Engineer, you will assist in the development and management of the project financial strategy. You will be working directly with the project management team to manage the project budget, costs, change orders, pricing requests, billings, and forecasts. You will be responsible for generating and maintaining reports that provide information to different groups, work with the management team to identify variances, risks and maintain quality control processes to improve project cost procedures and ensuring conformity with management's strategy.
The Specifics of the Role
- Works with all project disciplines to ensure understanding of total project cost budget allowances and targets.
- Review project documents and specifications to accurately identify, develop and track request of change orders (owner and subcontractor related), baseline estimates, potential risk exposures while communicating potential impacts to the financial targets, schedule, and overall project management process.
- Works closely with the accounting department to ensure the correct integration of all information needed to ensure accuracy in billings, payment applications, change orders, direct cost, labor cost, etc.
- Works closely with the project management team, executive management personnel, subcontractors, as well as occasional contact with clients.
- Responsible for cost engineering, cost estimation, cost analysis, and control activities for projects with significant non-routine requirements or for proposal estimating activities which require a moderate degree of technical skill and experience.
- Ensuring quality, accuracy, consistency, spend profile, performing change management, and transparency in all cost management deliverables.
- Take ownership of the cost control function and ensure integrity of the cost and forecast reporting.
Requirements
- Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or Construction Management, or related degree.
- 0-3 years of Project Cost experience.
- Preferred 1 year of experience in the construction industry.
- Knowledge of project development stages, procurement, project controls, and construction execution practices is required.
- Working knowledge of applicable computer software such as PMWeb or similar project portfolio management software, DataServ, Excel, JD Edwards, or related software programs.
- Effective problem-solving skills.
- Results oriented and deliver on customer commitments.
Some Things You Should Know
- Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
- This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing.
Why Clayco?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company performance and individual contribution.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
About Us
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.
The Role We Want You For
As a Project Cost Engineer, you will assist in the development and management of the project financial strategy. You will be working directly with the project management team to manage the project budget, costs, change orders, pricing requests, billings, and forecasts. You will be responsible for generating and maintaining reports that provide information to different groups, work with the management team to identify variances, risks and maintain quality control processes to improve project cost procedures and ensuring conformity with management's strategy.
The Specifics of the Role
- Works with all project disciplines to ensure understanding of total project cost budget allowances and targets.
- Review project documents and specifications to accurately identify, develop and track request of change orders (owner and subcontractor related), baseline estimates, potential risk exposures while communicating potential impacts to the financial targets, schedule, and overall project management process.
- Works closely with the accounting department to ensure the correct integration of all information needed to ensure accuracy in billings, payment applications, change orders, direct cost, labor cost, etc.
- Works closely with the project management team, executive management personnel, subcontractors, as well as occasional contact with clients.
- Responsible for cost engineering, cost estimation, cost analysis, and control activities for projects with significant non-routine requirements or for proposal estimating activities which require a moderate degree of technical skill and experience.
- Ensuring quality, accuracy, consistency, spend profile, performing change management, and transparency in all cost management deliverables.
- Take ownership of the cost control function and ensure integrity of the cost and forecast reporting.
Requirements
- Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or Construction Management, or related degree.
- 0-3 years of Project Cost experience.
- Preferred 1 year of experience in the construction industry.
- Knowledge of project development stages, procurement, project controls, and construction execution practices is required.
- Working knowledge of applicable computer software such as PMWeb or similar project portfolio management software, DataServ, Excel, JD Edwards, or related software programs.
- Effective problem-solving skills.
- Results oriented and deliver on customer commitments.
Some Things You Should Know
- Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
- This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing.
Why Clayco?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company performance and individual contribution.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
See All 128+ Cost Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cost Engineer JobsCost Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Automotive
- Technology & Software
- Trucking
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in cost estimating software such as Primavera P6, PRISM, or Ecosys
- Experience developing cost baselines, earned value reports, and change order logs
- AACE International certification such as CCP, CEP, or RICS membership
- Familiarity with WBS structures, project controls, and cost forecasting methods
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling and variance analysis
Tips for Your Cost Engineer Job Search
Quantify every estimate on your resume
Cost engineers are hired on accuracy and scale. List the total project value you estimated, the variance between your baseline and final costs, and the stage of project lifecycle you owned. Vague claims like 'supported cost control' won't get callbacks.
List your cost software by version
Hiring managers scan for tools like Primavera P6, PRISM G2, ARES PRISM, or Ecosys. Name the specific software you've used and, where possible, the version. Blanket phrases like 'cost management tools' signal you haven't used the tools deeply enough.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists cost engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by project delivery method
Cost engineer roles differ significantly between lump-sum EPC contracts, cost-reimbursable projects, and design-build delivery. Filter your search by industry and read job descriptions closely to match your experience to the contract type the employer actually uses.
Prepare a contingency analysis walkthrough
Interviewers for cost engineer roles frequently ask you to walk through how you set contingency reserves and handle scope changes. Prepare a real example from your experience that covers risk identification, the method you used to quantify it, and the outcome.
Negotiate against a benchmarked total package
Cost engineers with AACE certification or project controls experience often have leverage beyond base pay. Before you negotiate, research the Bureau of Labor Statistics data for cost estimators in your metro area and factor in bonus structures tied to project milestones.
Cost Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most cost engineers?
The companies hiring the most cost engineers right now include Clayco, Connect Force, and Amazon, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest in energy, infrastructure, and large-scale capital construction.
How many cost engineer jobs are remote?
About 43% of cost engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though fully on-site roles remain common for active construction and field-based projects. Project controls and parametric estimating positions tied to office-based planning tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How do you become a cost engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, or a related technical field. Build hands-on experience in project controls, estimating, or scheduling, ideally on capital projects. Earning an AACE certification such as the Cost Engineering Technician or Certified Cost Professional credential strengthens your candidacy and signals formal competence to employers.
How do you get hired as a cost engineer with little experience?
Entry-level cost engineer roles often look for candidates who can demonstrate analytical rigor and familiarity with estimating concepts, even without years on the job. Coursework in project management, internships on construction or engineering projects, and proficiency in Excel and scheduling tools all help. Applying for project controls coordinator or junior estimator titles is a practical starting point.
What does the cost engineer interview process look like?
Most cost engineer interviews include a technical screening covering estimating methodology, earned value management, and change control processes, followed by a behavioral round focused on how you've managed scope changes or cost overruns. Senior roles often include a case study or take-home exercise where you build or review a cost estimate, so prepare to explain your assumptions clearly.
Where can I find and apply to cost engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to cost engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your industry background and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 128+ Cost Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cost Engineer Jobs