Sr. Cost Estimator

About the Position

Are you the go-to person for keeping massive, complex infrastructure projects on budget and on track? Do you thrive in the high-stakes world of $500M+ ventures in transit, transportation, or aviation? If so, let’s talk. We’re on the hunt for a sharp, detail-driven Sr. Cost Estimator to join our team and help lead the charge on some of the largest and most transformative heavy civil projects out there—think rail and bus systems, highways, bridges, and airports.

In this role, you'll be responsible for developing and managing project cost estimates from the earliest conceptual phases all the way through final design and construction. You'll monitor trends in cost escalation, labor rates, and market conditions to ensure accuracy and competitiveness at every stage. As the trusted cost expert, you’ll also serve as the primary point of contact for clients—communicating clearly, offering strategic guidance, and keeping them informed with regular updates throughout the lifecycle of each project. Your ability to build strong relationships and align internal and external teams will be key to keeping projects moving smoothly and successfully. This is more than a numbers game. It’s an opportunity to make your mark on legacy-level projects that reshape how people move and connect.

This is a long-term, full-time, onsite position located in New York, NY.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of detailed cost estimates for all phases of heavy civil projects—conceptual, schematic, design development, and final construction documents.
• Review engineering plans and specifications to determine scope, pricing strategy, and estimate accuracy.
• Analyze and apply historical data, cost databases, and market trends to forecast cost escalation and resource requirements.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, schedulers, engineers, and procurement teams to align cost assumptions with construction methodologies and timelines.
• Develop and maintain unit cost databases, cost benchmarking, and productivity standards.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotes for completeness, accuracy, and competitiveness.
• Prepare and present detailed cost reports, variance analyses, and risk assessments to senior leadership and client stakeholders.
• Incorporate construction means and methods, logistics constraints, and phasing strategies into the estimating process.
• Serve as a key liaison with clients—providing clear, timely communication and participating in project meetings, scope reviews, and value engineering sessions.
• Ensure estimates comply with internal quality standards and meet client and regulatory requirements.
• Track and integrate real-time feedback from ongoing projects to improve future estimate accuracy and reliability.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education/experience.  
• 10+ years’ relevant construction estimating/cost control experience for heavy civil highways, roads, bridges, airports, or transit projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, and techniques related to heavy civil rail or bus projects.
• Significant experience developing project and construction estimates, schedules, and costs. 
• Experience with cost escalation, orders of magnitude, cost of materials, and labor rates. 
• Experience with industry standard estimating software (e.g., RSMeans, HCSS HeavyBid, etc.)  
• Experience with industry standard project management software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.)   
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or construction management.
• 15+ years’ relevant construction estimating/cost control experience. 
• Pr