OPT Project Cost Manager Jobs
Project Cost Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in construction management, civil engineering, or quantity surveying. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions under engineering classifications, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build U.S. project experience.
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Are you driven by data and can turn numbers into actionable insights? As a Cost Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in monitoring, analyzing and forecasting the financial outcomes of one or more construction projects within a district.
Collaborate with industry experts and committed teams to provide insights and recommendations that enhance financial performance and efficiency.
This position will support our Susquehanna River Rail Bridge project, a $2B mega project in Maryland. A Joint Venture between FlatironDragados and Herzog is set to replace the 3/4-mile-long, 120-year-old, two-track movable Susquehanna River Rail Bridge connecting Perryville and Havre de Grace. The new bridge will alleviate slowdowns and improve safety for commuters and freight services.
Apply now and transform your career with us.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Assembles daily and weekly production documentation control reports.
- Performs cost analysis and spend tracking to monitor project costs and revenue and forecast final financial outcomes.
- Assists in or performs generation of project budget and monthly forecasting within Company supported cost control software.
- Uses Company determined process and practices to document, track and report cost on assigned projects. Works with project management team and project controls team to ensure accurate and timely reporting of financial information.
- Supports integration of Company systems to track, monitor and control costs. Monitors the job cost report against key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Assists project close out procedures by validating final revenue prior to final bill submission.
- Audits accounting systems between Company and Owner systems to ensure accuracy.
- Supports financial audit process on assigned projects.
- Generates, analyzes and submits monthly reporting.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting or related field required.
- 3+ years experience in construction industry, quantities tracking, or engineering required.
- Developing written and verbal communication skills.
- Developing knowledge of cost forecast through understanding of the Job Cost Report.
- Able to forecast cost independently by analyzing actual cost and projecting accurately.
- Assist in production pre-planning by gaining general construction knowledge.
- Able to identify risk and opportunity by analyzing data and identifying trends or areas of concern.
- Shows initiative in inquiries and document findings to mitigate risk or pursue opportunity.
- General construction finance knowledge with ability to understand project level reporting.
- Able to support accounts receivable & payable and other accounting functions.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Developing knowledge of construction project practices.
WHY WORK FOR US:
Some of the benefits you may be eligible for as an employee are:
- Comprehensive compensation package and paid time off program
- Industry leading 401(k)/RRSP
- Medical/Extended Health Care, Dental, Vision and/or Provincial Medical
- Wellness benefits & Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
We are an EEO/ADA/Veterans employer.
SALARY:
- Salary Min: USD $100,000.00/Yr.
- Salary Max: USD $115,000.00/Yr.
Overview:
Are you driven by data and can turn numbers into actionable insights? As a Cost Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in monitoring, analyzing and forecasting the financial outcomes of one or more construction projects within a district.
Collaborate with industry experts and committed teams to provide insights and recommendations that enhance financial performance and efficiency.
This position will support our Susquehanna River Rail Bridge project, a $2B mega project in Maryland. A Joint Venture between FlatironDragados and Herzog is set to replace the 3/4-mile-long, 120-year-old, two-track movable Susquehanna River Rail Bridge connecting Perryville and Havre de Grace. The new bridge will alleviate slowdowns and improve safety for commuters and freight services.
Apply now and transform your career with us.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Assembles daily and weekly production documentation control reports.
- Performs cost analysis and spend tracking to monitor project costs and revenue and forecast final financial outcomes.
- Assists in or performs generation of project budget and monthly forecasting within Company supported cost control software.
- Uses Company determined process and practices to document, track and report cost on assigned projects. Works with project management team and project controls team to ensure accurate and timely reporting of financial information.
- Supports integration of Company systems to track, monitor and control costs. Monitors the job cost report against key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Assists project close out procedures by validating final revenue prior to final bill submission.
- Audits accounting systems between Company and Owner systems to ensure accuracy.
- Supports financial audit process on assigned projects.
- Generates, analyzes and submits monthly reporting.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting or related field required.
- 3+ years experience in construction industry, quantities tracking, or engineering required.
- Developing written and verbal communication skills.
- Developing knowledge of cost forecast through understanding of the Job Cost Report.
- Able to forecast cost independently by analyzing actual cost and projecting accurately.
- Assist in production pre-planning by gaining general construction knowledge.
- Able to identify risk and opportunity by analyzing data and identifying trends or areas of concern.
- Shows initiative in inquiries and document findings to mitigate risk or pursue opportunity.
- General construction finance knowledge with ability to understand project level reporting.
- Able to support accounts receivable & payable and other accounting functions.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Developing knowledge of construction project practices.
WHY WORK FOR US:
Some of the benefits you may be eligible for as an employee are:
- Comprehensive compensation package and paid time off program
- Industry leading 401(k)/RRSP
- Medical/Extended Health Care, Dental, Vision and/or Provincial Medical
- Wellness benefits & Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
We are an EEO/ADA/Veterans employer.
SALARY:
- Salary Min: USD $100,000.00/Yr.
- Salary Max: USD $115,000.00/Yr.
See all 213+ OPT Project Cost Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Cost Manager
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Project Cost Manager positions typically fall under engineering or construction management SOC codes eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your job offer letter lists a qualifying SOC code before accepting, so you're not caught short on authorization time.
Highlight cost control software proficiency
Employers hiring for this role expect hands-on experience with Procore, Primavera P6, or similar cost management platforms. Listing specific tools and the project values you managed signals you can contribute immediately, which matters more when a company is weighing OPT sponsorship logistics.
Target employers with active federal or infrastructure contracts
Large construction firms and engineering consultancies with government contracts routinely sponsor OPT and H-1B visa because project pipelines demand it. Companies running multi-year infrastructure programs are more likely to invest in retaining a cost manager beyond initial OPT authorization.
Quantify project scope in your resume
Employers evaluate cost managers by the scale of projects they've handled. Stating you managed cost tracking for a $40M commercial build is more compelling than listing duties. Concrete figures demonstrate readiness for U.S. project demands and justify the effort of OPT paperwork.
Understand your employer's E-Verify obligation
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your training plan must be formally approved before your extension begins. Confirm this with HR early in the offer process. Delays in E-Verify enrollment have caused STEM OPT gaps for students in project management roles.
Build your network inside owner-operator organizations
Real estate developers, utilities, and transit authorities employ in-house cost managers and often provide more visa sponsorship flexibility than subcontractors. Connecting with project controls professionals at these organizations puts you closer to decision-makers who control hiring and long-term sponsorship commitments.
Project Cost Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Cost Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on the SOC code your employer assigns. Project Cost Manager positions classified under Construction Managers (SOC 11-9021) or Cost Estimators (SOC 13-1051) are not on the STEM OPT eligible list. However, if your role is classified under Industrial Engineers (SOC 17-2112) or a related engineering code, it may qualify. Always confirm the exact SOC code with your employer and DSO before accepting the offer.
What OPT documents do I need when starting a Project Cost Manager job?
You'll need your EAD card, a valid I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and your passport. Your employer will verify these through E-Verify at onboarding. Keep copies of your OPT approval notice and your DSO's contact information accessible, as project managers in construction environments are sometimes asked to present authorization documentation on federally contracted job sites.
Can I work as an independent contractor or consultant in a Project Cost Manager role on OPT?
OPT allows self-employment and contract work, but your position must be directly related to your field of study and average at least 20 hours per week. If you work through a staffing agency placed at a construction firm, that counts. However, you cannot be paid as a 1099 contractor by multiple unrelated clients simultaneously without carefully documenting each engagement for your OPT reporting obligations.
How do I find Project Cost Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most job postings don't state OPT eligibility explicitly, which makes filtering difficult on general platforms. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Project Cost Manager roles from employers experienced with OPT and visa sponsorship. Searching there saves significant time compared to manually vetting postings that never mention work authorization requirements.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Project Cost Manager contract ends before my EAD expires?
You enter a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends. During that window you can find a new qualifying job, transfer to another visa status, or prepare to depart the U.S. You cannot work during the grace period. If you secure a new Project Cost Manager role, your OPT continues under the same EAD as long as it hasn't expired and the new role relates to your degree field.