Senior Cost Estimator Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Cost Estimators are regularly sponsored for H-1B visa and TN visas, with employers in construction, engineering, and defense contracting among the most active sponsors. Roles typically require a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Are you experienced in Data Center Estimating and looking for a fast paced environment to work in? The AWS Construction Estimating team is seeking a passionate and motivated Estimator to work on a global level to provide construction cost estimates for various stages of design development phases across a portfolio of fast paced construction projects. The ideal candidate is innovative, analytical and knowledgeable of the global construction market, the core systems integral to the construction of data centers, and their associated costs. You should have a bias toward automation and a track record of creating complete estimates for construction projects. You pay attention to detail and solve problems at their root. You have experience developing cost estimates, and working with remote teams with an ability to communicate effectively with both construction and non-construction professionals. At Amazon we leverage unique opportunities presented to us and are diverse, creative, team oriented professionals working on a daily basis to develop data centers that are changing the face of data facilities.
Key job responsibilities
Success as a Sr Construction Cost Estimator is measured by:
- Establishing and monitoring overall estimating plan for assigned construction projects.
- Leading project scoping reviews with estimate requestors to define project scope and estimate deliverables.
- Use and maintenance of historical cost metrics to drive improvements in estimate accuracy.
- Utilizing tools and templates for various levels of estimates and project types including risk assessment.
- Producing estimate reports based on AWS standards.
- Analyzing and providing timely feedback of vendor proposals using AWS benchmark data.
- Validating large or complex changes with regards to cost impacts.
- Managing revision control of scope and estimate for new designs and innovations.
About the team
Our team supports data center strategic planning, new initiatives, and active builds across the globe. We are an integral part of AWS expansions in new countries and regions, ensuring budget expectations are set correctly and adequately inform business decisions.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 8+ years of construction cost management experience
- Experience communicating results to stakeholders
-
Familiar with estimating software such as CostX or equivalent
-
25% - 50% international travel, sometimes unplanned
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Structural, Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- Experience ability to understand and devise new models that work
- Proficient with estimating software such as CostX or equivalent
- General Contractor estimating experience with Data Center or other mission critical construction environments
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, VA, Herndon
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: 139,300.00 - 208,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Are you experienced in Data Center Estimating and looking for a fast paced environment to work in? The AWS Construction Estimating team is seeking a passionate and motivated Estimator to work on a global level to provide construction cost estimates for various stages of design development phases across a portfolio of fast paced construction projects. The ideal candidate is innovative, analytical and knowledgeable of the global construction market, the core systems integral to the construction of data centers, and their associated costs. You should have a bias toward automation and a track record of creating complete estimates for construction projects. You pay attention to detail and solve problems at their root. You have experience developing cost estimates, and working with remote teams with an ability to communicate effectively with both construction and non-construction professionals. At Amazon we leverage unique opportunities presented to us and are diverse, creative, team oriented professionals working on a daily basis to develop data centers that are changing the face of data facilities.
Key job responsibilities
Success as a Sr Construction Cost Estimator is measured by:
- Establishing and monitoring overall estimating plan for assigned construction projects.
- Leading project scoping reviews with estimate requestors to define project scope and estimate deliverables.
- Use and maintenance of historical cost metrics to drive improvements in estimate accuracy.
- Utilizing tools and templates for various levels of estimates and project types including risk assessment.
- Producing estimate reports based on AWS standards.
- Analyzing and providing timely feedback of vendor proposals using AWS benchmark data.
- Validating large or complex changes with regards to cost impacts.
- Managing revision control of scope and estimate for new designs and innovations.
About the team
Our team supports data center strategic planning, new initiatives, and active builds across the globe. We are an integral part of AWS expansions in new countries and regions, ensuring budget expectations are set correctly and adequately inform business decisions.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 8+ years of construction cost management experience
- Experience communicating results to stakeholders
-
Familiar with estimating software such as CostX or equivalent
-
25% - 50% international travel, sometimes unplanned
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Structural, Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- Experience ability to understand and devise new models that work
- Proficient with estimating software such as CostX or equivalent
- General Contractor estimating experience with Data Center or other mission critical construction environments
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, VA, Herndon
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: 139,300.00 - 208,000.00 USD annually
See all 883+ Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Cost Estimator roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Target employers with active LCA filings
Large engineering and construction firms file Labor Condition Applications publicly. Searching OFLC disclosure data for 'cost estimator' filings shows which employers have actively sponsored this role, giving you a concrete list of companies worth pursuing.
Emphasize your degree-to-role alignment
H-1B specialty occupation approval depends on a direct link between your degree field and the role. A degree in construction management, civil engineering, or quantity surveying strengthens your petition significantly more than a general business or unrelated degree.
Highlight software proficiency in your application
Employers sponsoring cost estimators expect proficiency in tools like Bluebeam, Sage Estimating, or Primavera. Listing specific software in your resume signals the specialized knowledge that supports a specialty occupation argument during the H-1B petition.
Consider TN status if you hold Canadian or Mexican citizenship
Cost estimators with an engineering or quantity surveying background may qualify for TN status, which avoids the H-1B lottery entirely. Confirm your specific job duties and degree align with a qualifying TN profession category before proceeding.
Prepare a detailed duties letter from your employer
USCIS scrutinizes cost estimator petitions more closely when job duties appear generalist. A detailed support letter from your employer describing project complexity, technical methodologies, and required specialized knowledge strengthens the specialty occupation argument considerably.
Browse sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship availability, so you're not guessing which employers will support an application. Searching for senior cost estimator roles there surfaces employers already willing to engage with the sponsorship process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Cost Estimator role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS requires that the role normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Senior Cost Estimator positions tied to engineering, construction management, or quantity surveying typically qualify. Roles described more broadly, where any degree satisfies the requirement, face higher denial risk. A strong job duties letter and employer support matter considerably here.
Which industries most commonly sponsor Senior Cost Estimators?
Defense contracting, heavy civil construction, oil and gas, and large-scale infrastructure firms are the most consistent sponsors. Companies like Bechtel, Parsons, Jacobs, and Fluor appear regularly in OFLC LCA filings for cost estimator roles. Government contractors often sponsor because the specialized knowledge required for federal project bidding is difficult to replace quickly. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
Does my degree need to be in a specific field for H-1B sponsorship as a Cost Estimator?
Yes. The H-1B visa petition requires your degree to directly relate to the job duties. Construction management, civil or structural engineering, architecture, or quantity surveying are the strongest matches. A general business or unrelated degree creates a specialty occupation problem that an immigration attorney may need to address through a combination of education and progressive work experience.
What are the approval rates for H-1B petitions filed for Cost Estimators?
USCIS doesn't publish approval rates broken down by job title. Anecdotally, cost estimator petitions in construction and engineering contexts have reasonable approval rates when the specialty occupation argument is well-documented. Petitions for roles framed as general project management or procurement, rather than technical estimating requiring a specific degree, receive more Requests for Evidence and higher denial rates.
Can I switch employers on an H-1B as a Senior Cost Estimator?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, as long as your current status is valid and you've been lawfully employed for at least 180 days since your most recent approval. The new employer needs to file their own I-129 and LCA before your first day. There's no need to wait for USCIS approval to begin work.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Cost Estimator 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.