Cost Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Cost Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa and E-3 visas, requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related quantitative field. Employers in construction, infrastructure, and project delivery firms sponsor regularly, with LCA filings confirming prevailing wage compliance before your petition reaches USCIS.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Program Cost Manager to build, implement, and manage the cost framework for a high-priority aerospace development program. This role is responsible for developing program budgets, forecasting costs, tracking financial performance, managing cost risks, and providing leadership with clear visibility into program expenditures, commitments, and financial outcomes.
The ideal candidate combines strong program cost management experience with a hands-on understanding of engineering, supply chain, and financial planning processes. This individual will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Accounting, and FP&A teams while leveraging AI-enabled tools and automation to improve forecasting accuracy, reporting efficiency, and decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the program cost framework, including materials, operating expenses, labor costs, and long-range financial planning
- Partner with Engineering teams to develop, maintain, and monitor bill of materials (BOM) budgets and cost projections
- Forecast supplier, engineering services, testing, manufacturing, and deployment costs throughout the program lifecycle
- Monitor actual spending against budgets, forecasts, commitments, and contracts while identifying variances and corrective actions
- Provide program leaders and executives with proactive visibility into cost risks, opportunities, and financial performance
- Perform cost trade studies and financial analysis to support key business decisions, including sourcing, procurement, and deployment strategies
- Design and maintain cost structures, work breakdown structures (WBS), cost codes, reporting hierarchies, and financial controls
- Prepare monthly cost reports, executive dashboards, forecasts, estimate-at-completion (EAC) updates, and leadership presentations
- Lead AI-driven initiatives that improve forecasting, variance analysis, spend management, contract review, and financial reporting processes
- Coordinate with FP&A and Accounting teams to support forecasting, accruals, capitalization, budgeting, and financial reporting requirements
- Establish and maintain program financial controls, approval processes, purchase order tracking, and contract change management activities
- Support strategic planning, funding requests, business cases, and executive decision-making processes
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
- Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Engineering Management, or a related discipline preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in program cost management, cost engineering, project controls, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), or related financial management roles
- Minimum 3 years supporting hardware development, manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defense, or large-scale technical programs
- Experience building and maintaining program budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting structures
- Experience managing supplier costs, contracts, purchase orders, and program financial controls
- Demonstrated experience utilizing AI tools, automation platforms, or advanced analytics solutions within finance or operational environments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Aerospace, defense, satellite communications, manufacturing, or other complex engineering industry experience
- Experience building a cost framework for a new program, product line, or business unit
- Experience implementing AI-driven forecasting, contract analysis, spend analytics, or reporting automation solutions
- Experience supporting bill of materials (BOM) costing and should-cost analysis activities
- Familiarity with supplier contracts, engineering services agreements, milestone billing structures, and change order management
- Experience supporting capital-intensive programs and understanding capital expenditure (CapEx) versus operational expenditure (OpEx) planning
- Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced organizations with evolving processes and operational structures
Soft Skills:
- Strong ownership mindset and ability to build processes from the ground up
- Excellent analytical and financial problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, supply chain, finance, and executive leadership teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy
- Ability to identify risks early and proactively recommend solutions
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Continuous improvement mindset with enthusiasm for automation and emerging technologies
Technology Stack:
- Oracle NetSuite or comparable ERP systems
- Microsoft Excel (advanced modeling, forecasting, pivot tables, and scenario analysis)
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms
- AI assistants and generative AI tools
- Microsoft Copilot
- ChatGPT
- Claude
- Python
- Power Automate
- Microsoft Teams
- SharePoint
- Outlook
- Product lifecycle management (PLM) and BOM management systems
- Microsoft Project, Primavera, or comparable project controls tools
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
- Ability to review financial reports, contracts, engineering documentation, and cost models
- Ability to participate in cross-functional meetings, business reviews, and executive presentations
- Occasional travel of approximately 10–20% to manufacturing, testing, supplier, and partner locations
- Ability to walk manufacturing floors, testing facilities, and operational sites while following required safety protocols
Benefits & Perks
At AST, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Company-Paid Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Company-Paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
- Career Growth and Development Opportunities
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
INTRODUCTION
AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Program Cost Manager to build, implement, and manage the cost framework for a high-priority aerospace development program. This role is responsible for developing program budgets, forecasting costs, tracking financial performance, managing cost risks, and providing leadership with clear visibility into program expenditures, commitments, and financial outcomes.
The ideal candidate combines strong program cost management experience with a hands-on understanding of engineering, supply chain, and financial planning processes. This individual will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Accounting, and FP&A teams while leveraging AI-enabled tools and automation to improve forecasting accuracy, reporting efficiency, and decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the program cost framework, including materials, operating expenses, labor costs, and long-range financial planning
- Partner with Engineering teams to develop, maintain, and monitor bill of materials (BOM) budgets and cost projections
- Forecast supplier, engineering services, testing, manufacturing, and deployment costs throughout the program lifecycle
- Monitor actual spending against budgets, forecasts, commitments, and contracts while identifying variances and corrective actions
- Provide program leaders and executives with proactive visibility into cost risks, opportunities, and financial performance
- Perform cost trade studies and financial analysis to support key business decisions, including sourcing, procurement, and deployment strategies
- Design and maintain cost structures, work breakdown structures (WBS), cost codes, reporting hierarchies, and financial controls
- Prepare monthly cost reports, executive dashboards, forecasts, estimate-at-completion (EAC) updates, and leadership presentations
- Lead AI-driven initiatives that improve forecasting, variance analysis, spend management, contract review, and financial reporting processes
- Coordinate with FP&A and Accounting teams to support forecasting, accruals, capitalization, budgeting, and financial reporting requirements
- Establish and maintain program financial controls, approval processes, purchase order tracking, and contract change management activities
- Support strategic planning, funding requests, business cases, and executive decision-making processes
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
- Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Engineering Management, or a related discipline preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in program cost management, cost engineering, project controls, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), or related financial management roles
- Minimum 3 years supporting hardware development, manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defense, or large-scale technical programs
- Experience building and maintaining program budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting structures
- Experience managing supplier costs, contracts, purchase orders, and program financial controls
- Demonstrated experience utilizing AI tools, automation platforms, or advanced analytics solutions within finance or operational environments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Aerospace, defense, satellite communications, manufacturing, or other complex engineering industry experience
- Experience building a cost framework for a new program, product line, or business unit
- Experience implementing AI-driven forecasting, contract analysis, spend analytics, or reporting automation solutions
- Experience supporting bill of materials (BOM) costing and should-cost analysis activities
- Familiarity with supplier contracts, engineering services agreements, milestone billing structures, and change order management
- Experience supporting capital-intensive programs and understanding capital expenditure (CapEx) versus operational expenditure (OpEx) planning
- Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced organizations with evolving processes and operational structures
Soft Skills:
- Strong ownership mindset and ability to build processes from the ground up
- Excellent analytical and financial problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, supply chain, finance, and executive leadership teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy
- Ability to identify risks early and proactively recommend solutions
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Continuous improvement mindset with enthusiasm for automation and emerging technologies
Technology Stack:
- Oracle NetSuite or comparable ERP systems
- Microsoft Excel (advanced modeling, forecasting, pivot tables, and scenario analysis)
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms
- AI assistants and generative AI tools
- Microsoft Copilot
- ChatGPT
- Claude
- Python
- Power Automate
- Microsoft Teams
- SharePoint
- Outlook
- Product lifecycle management (PLM) and BOM management systems
- Microsoft Project, Primavera, or comparable project controls tools
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
- Ability to review financial reports, contracts, engineering documentation, and cost models
- Ability to participate in cross-functional meetings, business reviews, and executive presentations
- Occasional travel of approximately 10–20% to manufacturing, testing, supplier, and partner locations
- Ability to walk manufacturing floors, testing facilities, and operational sites while following required safety protocols
Benefits & Perks
At AST, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Company-Paid Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Company-Paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
- Career Growth and Development Opportunities
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
See all 213+ Cost Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Cost Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Cost Manager
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
Cost Managers need to show their degree directly relates to the role, not just that they've done the work. A degree in quantity surveying, civil engineering, or construction management ties cleanly to specialty occupation. A general business degree needs stronger job description support to clear USCIS scrutiny.
Pull prevailing wage data before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location and role. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage tiers for cost management roles before you enter salary discussions, so you're not caught short at the LCA stage.
Target infrastructure and capital project employers
Construction owners, engineering consultancies, and program management firms with active capital pipelines file LCAs for Cost Managers far more consistently than general contractors. Owners-side and PMC roles also tend to offer multi-year project timelines, which supports the employer's case for maintaining your H-1B through extensions.
Search Migrate Mate for verified sponsoring employers
Filter Cost Manager roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers with confirmed LCA filing history in your target city or sector. You'll see which firms have sponsored this role before, cutting out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that have never navigated the process.
Clarify H-1B timing before accepting any offer
If you're on OPT or STEM OPT, confirm your employer understands the H-1B cap and annual registration window. A cost manager role starting in January needs a petition filed the prior April and status beginning October 1. Misaligned start dates are a common offer-stage breakdown for this profession.
Get your PERM documentation in order early
If your employer plans to sponsor your green card via EB-2 or EB-3, the PERM labor certification requires a formal recruitment process showing no qualified U.S. workers were available. For Cost Managers, this means your job description must be precise enough to match your actual duties, not a generic project controls title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Cost Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as construction management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, or a quantitative discipline. Generic titles with broad duties can attract a Request for Evidence from USCIS, so the job description must map clearly to the degree requirement. Employers often strengthen petitions by citing O*NET to support the specialty occupation claim.
Which visa types are realistic for Cost Manager candidates seeking sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for Cost Managers without nationality-specific options. Australian nationals can pursue the E-3, which has no lottery and an annual cap that has never been exhausted. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify for the H-1B1 visa. TN visa is not available for cost management roles, as the profession does not appear on the USMCA occupation list.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor Cost Manager roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for cost management and project controls roles, searchable by city and sector. This tells you which firms have actually sponsored the position before, rather than guessing based on company size or industry reputation.
Can a Cost Manager with a quantity surveying degree from outside the U.S. qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, foreign degrees are accepted if they're equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's in a relevant field. Credential evaluation by a NACES-member organization is typically required as part of the USCIS petition. A three-year bachelor's from Australia, the U.K., or similar systems generally qualifies, but your employer's immigration attorney will confirm equivalency based on your specific transcript and program.
Does green card sponsorship through PERM work for Cost Manager roles?
Yes, Cost Manager roles can be sponsored under EB-2 or EB-3, depending on degree level and years of experience. The PERM process requires DOL to certify that no qualified U.S. workers are available, which means your employer must run a documented recruitment process. The job description must match your actual duties precisely, as overly broad or narrowly tailored descriptions can trigger a PERM audit.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Cost Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.