Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Senior Cost Estimator jobs are open across construction, manufacturing, defense, and engineering firms, from mid-level to principal and chief estimator, with specializations in MEP systems, heavy civil, and EPC project delivery. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 222+ Senior Cost Estimator jobs
Responsibilities:
- Develop and/or evaluate program technical and programmatic baselines
- Develop innovative development, production and operating and support (O&S) cost estimating techniques for a broad range of cost elements
- Develop independent or program life cycle cost estimates and accompanying risk, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
- Develop economic analyses, including but not limited to business case analyses, cost/benefit analyses and analysis-of-alternatives
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost estimates and economic analyses
- Evaluate the credibility of industry cost proposals
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost savings initiatives
- Assess industry contract cost and schedule performance and conduct variance root cause analysis
- Document and present/defend analytical results
- Develop and train less experienced cost analysts
- Apply highly effective customer service skills and work effectively with teams to foster a collaborative work environment across the organization.
- Apply leadership skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple tasks and work requirements
- Apply highly effective communication skills (oral and written) and communicate complex issues and present results to senior managers and others in a clear and concise manner.
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Mid-level: Must have one of the following: (Ideal candidate will have 4-7 years experience with Navy Financials)
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research) OR - Senior-level: Must have a master's degree in a relevant field and at least two (2) years of professional experience, OR No degree and at least eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in specific task area
- Must have an active DOD Secret level clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems design, production, operations, and support processes
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems work breakdown structures
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems cost drivers
- Understanding of government cost, technical and programmatic data sources
- Understanding of industry accounting systems
- Ability to think analytically, creatively and critically
- Ability to conduct ground breaking research
- Ability to precisely and concisely communicate and defend complex analytical results verbally and in various forms of written products
- Must have strong Excel skills and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint and Word)
- 5 years experience with Navy financial management systems Navy ERP, NEPS specifically, (e.g., REMIS, RDOCS, PDOCS, PBIS), will be a plus
- Familiarity with Program Objective Management (POM) process, preferred
- ICEAA Certification or Defense Acquisition Workforce Initiative Act (DAWIA) certification desired
- Military friendly
Responsibilities:
- Develop and/or evaluate program technical and programmatic baselines
- Develop innovative development, production and operating and support (O&S) cost estimating techniques for a broad range of cost elements
- Develop independent or program life cycle cost estimates and accompanying risk, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
- Develop economic analyses, including but not limited to business case analyses, cost/benefit analyses and analysis-of-alternatives
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost estimates and economic analyses
- Evaluate the credibility of industry cost proposals
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost savings initiatives
- Assess industry contract cost and schedule performance and conduct variance root cause analysis
- Document and present/defend analytical results
- Develop and train less experienced cost analysts
- Apply highly effective customer service skills and work effectively with teams to foster a collaborative work environment across the organization.
- Apply leadership skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple tasks and work requirements
- Apply highly effective communication skills (oral and written) and communicate complex issues and present results to senior managers and others in a clear and concise manner.
-
Mid-level: Must have one of the following: (Ideal candidate will have 4-7 years experience with Navy Financials)
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research) OR - Senior-level: Must have a master's degree in a relevant field and at least two (2) years of professional experience, OR No degree and at least eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in specific task area
- Must have an active DOD Secret level clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems design, production, operations, and support processes
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems work breakdown structures
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems cost drivers
- Understanding of government cost, technical and programmatic data sources
- Understanding of industry accounting systems
- Ability to think analytically, creatively and critically
- Ability to conduct ground breaking research
- Ability to precisely and concisely communicate and defend complex analytical results verbally and in various forms of written products
- Must have strong Excel skills and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint and Word)
- 5 years experience with Navy financial management systems Navy ERP, NEPS specifically, (e.g., REMIS, RDOCS, PDOCS, PBIS), will be a plus
- Familiarity with Program Objective Management (POM) process, preferred
- ICEAA Certification or Defense Acquisition Workforce Initiative Act (DAWIA) certification desired
- Military friendly
Senior Cost Estimator Jobs by Experience Level
See All 222+ Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
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Find Senior Cost Estimator JobsSenior Cost Estimator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Tetra Tech36
- AECOM7
- OCMI, Inc. (O'Connor Construction Management)7
- Planate Management6
- Jacobs5
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate11
- Consulting & Professional Services10
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
- Chemicals & Materials1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior cost estimator jobs.
- 5 or more years of professional cost estimating experience in a relevant industry
- Proficiency in industry estimating software such as HCSS, Sage Estimating, or Timberline
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications
- Experience estimating projects across multiple delivery methods including lump sum and GMP
- Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or equivalent industry certification preferred
Tips for Your Senior Cost Estimator Job Search
Quantify your bid-win history clearly
Hiring managers want to see the dollar value of projects you've estimated and your bid accuracy rate. Replace vague phrases like 'prepared cost estimates' with concrete project types, delivery methods, and the scale of bids you've led or contributed to.
Highlight software proficiency up front
Employers sort candidates fast by tool fluency. List your experience with estimating platforms like HCSS, Sage Estimating, On-Screen Takeoff, or Bluebeam near the top of your resume, not buried in a skills section at the bottom.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior cost estimator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target job postings by delivery method
Design-build, design-bid-build, and CM-at-risk roles require different estimating workflows. Search using delivery method terms alongside your title to surface openings where your specific process experience is a direct fit rather than a partial match.
Prepare a takeoff walkthrough for interviews
Many senior estimator interviews include a practical exercise where you estimate a scope from drawings or a spec sheet. Bring a printed or digital example of a past takeoff you led so you can walk through your methodology, assumptions, and cost drivers confidently.
Negotiate using total project value, not just salary
When discussing compensation, anchor your value to the aggregate dollar volume of projects you've estimated annually. Framing your contribution at that scale gives you a concrete basis for negotiating a senior-level package, including project bonuses or estimating incentives.
Senior Cost Estimator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior cost estimators?
The companies hiring the most senior cost estimators right now include Tetra Tech, AECOM, and OCMI, Inc. (O'Connor Construction Management), with the largest share of openings in Texas, Florida, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. General contractors, ENR-ranked engineering firms, and federal defense contractors consistently represent the largest share of active postings for this role.
How many senior cost estimator jobs are remote?
About 67% of senior cost estimator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote availability concentrated in preconstruction consulting, software-based quantity surveying, and owner-side estimating roles rather than field-adjacent positions at general contractors or specialty subcontractors, which typically require on-site presence for site visits and subcontractor coordination.
How do you become a senior cost estimator?
Start by earning a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field, then spend several years in a junior or mid-level estimating role building takeoff skills across a specific trade or sector. Progress by leading full bid packages independently, earning a certification such as the CPE through ASPE, and developing fluency in the estimating software your target market uses. Consistent exposure to preconstruction, subcontractor negotiations, and bid-day coordination accelerates the path to a senior title.
Can I get hired as a senior cost estimator without direct estimating experience?
Transitioning into a senior estimating role without a formal estimating background is possible if you have deep field experience as a project engineer, superintendent, or project manager, since hands-on knowledge of construction means, methods, and cost drivers is what employers are actually after. Pairing that experience with a completed takeoff sample, proficiency in a recognized estimating platform, and a CPE certification in progress can make a compelling case even when your job titles haven't included the word estimator.
What does the senior cost estimator interview process look like?
Most senior cost estimator interviews begin with a phone screen focused on your industry sector, project types, and estimating software experience, followed by a technical interview where you walk through a past bid in detail, explaining your assumptions, scope gaps, and how you handled subcontractor coverage. Many employers include a practical exercise requiring you to estimate a short scope from drawings or specifications. Final rounds often involve meeting the preconstruction director or a VP of operations who evaluates your communication style and ability to present numbers to clients or executives.
Where can I find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs?
You can find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your sector, project type, or location and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 222+ Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Cost Estimator Jobs