Cost Specialist Jobs
Cost Specialist jobs are open across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and government contracting, from entry-level analyst to senior and principal, with specializations in cost estimating, cost control, and project cost accounting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description
The Vehicle Material Cost Senior Specialist (AKA Senior Cost Engineer or SCE) is responsible to create, analyze and validate component material costs and targets. The cost engineer will be responsible for generating ground-up / detailed material cost estimates that encompass both piece price estimations and production tooling estimations. Collaboration with key internal cross functional peers is essential; the selected candidate will have a working relationship with the product engineering team, the purchasing and supply chain team, the vehicle program team, our global joint venture partners in China, and to an extent the external component supply base.
This role involves a high level of independent judgment, initiative, creativity, and the management of multiple estimates that focus specifically on identifying accurate cost estimates as well as proposed cost reductions. The cost engineer will have exposure to the next generation of automotive vehicles while working with leading edge automotive experts and technologies.
Key Responsibilities include:
- The candidate should be able to analyze, organize, and understand large amount of data.
- Comprehensive manufacturing process knowledge is required. An understanding of regional difference in manufacturing processes / assumptions is helpful.
- Be an active partner with the internal GPSC purchasing team – aid in providing a fair yet competitive component cost for GM.
- Occasional domestic travel to supplier facilities for enhanced costing collaboration and support of the specific engineering / purchasing team.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Experience in the financial evaluation of technical concepts and comprehensive understanding of production processes. An understanding of automotive industry trends that are occurring within the field regarding new technologies, autonomous driving, electrification, and additive manufacturing is a plus.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with a high degree of autonomy and complexity.
- Ability to lead change, resolve conflicts, and influence without direct authority.
- Able to assimilate a large amount of cost data and clearly condense / communicate information to the larger GM team in an efficient way.
- Analytical ability to solve problems that are unique and sometimes complex. Ability to use data driven analysis to identify solutions and establish next steps to assigned projects.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships with global team members and cross functional peers.
- Demonstrated ability to use all Microsoft Office software and show an expertise in MS Excel. Ability to use / learn GMCO$T (internal GM cost estimating software).
Experience / Educational Qualification
- At least 5 years relevant experience in automotive cost estimating, automotive manufacturing, automotive product design / engineering, or automotive purchasing.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related / relevant field of study.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA), Technical Management, or Engineering.
Preferred Skills:
Experience with any of the following:
- Development of supplier component quotes to OEM’s
- Manufacturing and or launch experience in an automotive setting (OEM, tier 1 or tier 2 environment).
- A broad knowledge of manufacturing processes and principles, including but not limited to plastic / injection molding, stamping, extrusion, casting, roll form, electrical, and general concepts of component assembly and component integration into larger automotive subsystems.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources .
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire .
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Job Description
The Vehicle Material Cost Senior Specialist (AKA Senior Cost Engineer or SCE) is responsible to create, analyze and validate component material costs and targets. The cost engineer will be responsible for generating ground-up / detailed material cost estimates that encompass both piece price estimations and production tooling estimations. Collaboration with key internal cross functional peers is essential; the selected candidate will have a working relationship with the product engineering team, the purchasing and supply chain team, the vehicle program team, our global joint venture partners in China, and to an extent the external component supply base.
This role involves a high level of independent judgment, initiative, creativity, and the management of multiple estimates that focus specifically on identifying accurate cost estimates as well as proposed cost reductions. The cost engineer will have exposure to the next generation of automotive vehicles while working with leading edge automotive experts and technologies.
Key Responsibilities include:
- The candidate should be able to analyze, organize, and understand large amount of data.
- Comprehensive manufacturing process knowledge is required. An understanding of regional difference in manufacturing processes / assumptions is helpful.
- Be an active partner with the internal GPSC purchasing team – aid in providing a fair yet competitive component cost for GM.
- Occasional domestic travel to supplier facilities for enhanced costing collaboration and support of the specific engineering / purchasing team.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Experience in the financial evaluation of technical concepts and comprehensive understanding of production processes. An understanding of automotive industry trends that are occurring within the field regarding new technologies, autonomous driving, electrification, and additive manufacturing is a plus.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with a high degree of autonomy and complexity.
- Ability to lead change, resolve conflicts, and influence without direct authority.
- Able to assimilate a large amount of cost data and clearly condense / communicate information to the larger GM team in an efficient way.
- Analytical ability to solve problems that are unique and sometimes complex. Ability to use data driven analysis to identify solutions and establish next steps to assigned projects.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships with global team members and cross functional peers.
- Demonstrated ability to use all Microsoft Office software and show an expertise in MS Excel. Ability to use / learn GMCO$T (internal GM cost estimating software).
Experience / Educational Qualification
- At least 5 years relevant experience in automotive cost estimating, automotive manufacturing, automotive product design / engineering, or automotive purchasing.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related / relevant field of study.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA), Technical Management, or Engineering.
Preferred Skills:
Experience with any of the following:
- Development of supplier component quotes to OEM’s
- Manufacturing and or launch experience in an automotive setting (OEM, tier 1 or tier 2 environment).
- A broad knowledge of manufacturing processes and principles, including but not limited to plastic / injection molding, stamping, extrusion, casting, roll form, electrical, and general concepts of component assembly and component integration into larger automotive subsystems.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources .
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire .
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Cost Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, engineering, or a related field
- Proficiency in cost management software such as SAP, Oracle, or Primavera
- Experience developing cost estimates, budgets, and variance reports
- Familiarity with earned value management or project controls methodology
- Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or similar AACE certification preferred
- Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Tips for Your Cost Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to cost methodology
Cost specialist job postings often specify a methodology, such as parametric estimating, bottom-up estimating, or earned value management. Mirror the exact language from each posting in your resume so your experience reads as a direct match, not a close approximation.
Highlight software proficiency up front
Employers screen cost specialist resumes heavily for tools. Name every cost management and ERP platform you have used, including SAP, Oracle, Primavera, or CostX, in a dedicated skills section near the top of your resume so it clears automated screening quickly.
Target postings by industry sector
Cost specialist roles in defense contracting follow DCAA compliance rules, while those in construction focus on quantity takeoffs and bid packages. Filtering your job search by industry ensures your existing domain knowledge is a selling point, not something you have to explain away.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists cost specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare cost variance scenarios for interviews
Interviewers for cost specialist roles almost always ask you to walk through a time you identified a cost variance and what you did about it. Prepare two or three concrete examples with the size of the variance, the root cause you identified, and the corrective action you recommended.
Negotiate using total project scope, not just title
When negotiating an offer, frame your value around the dollar volume of budgets you have managed or cost savings you have delivered. Specific figures tied to project scope carry more weight in this field than seniority titles alone.
Cost Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most cost specialists?
Raytheon, Tesla, and Tilson Homes are hiring the most cost specialists right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, California, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is highest in defense, energy, and large-scale construction sectors.
How many cost specialist jobs are remote?
About 47% of cost specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though fully on-site roles remain common for positions tied to active construction sites or government facilities. Cost control and cost reporting roles in corporate finance tend to offer the most remote flexibility compared to field-based estimating positions.
How do you become a cost specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, construction management, or engineering. Gain entry-level experience in project controls, estimating, or financial analysis to build familiarity with cost tracking and variance reporting. Earning a professional certification such as the AACE Certified Cost Technician or Certified Cost Professional strengthens your candidacy for mid-level and senior roles significantly.
Can you get hired as a cost specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level cost specialist roles exist, particularly at large engineering and construction firms that hire junior cost technicians or project controls assistants. Employers at this level typically look for a relevant degree, proficiency in Excel, and exposure to cost tracking through internships, co-ops, or academic project work rather than years of full-time experience.
What does the cost specialist interview process look like?
Most cost specialist interview processes include an initial recruiter screen, one or two technical interviews focused on estimating methodology, software tools, and cost variance analysis, and sometimes a take-home exercise involving a budget or cost report. Final-round interviews often include a hiring manager conversation about project experience and how you have handled scope changes or cost overruns in past roles.
Where can I find and apply to cost specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to cost specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Find roles that match your experience, industry background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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