Capital Projects Cost Manager

Hadrian Automation • Torrance, CA

1d • $190,000 - $225,000

About The Position

The Capital Projects Cost Manager supports the planning, financial evaluation, and procurement of manufacturing facilities, factory expansions, and infrastructure improvements. Reporting through Finance, the role partners with Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing, and Facilities to translate technical requirements into cost estimates and investment recommendations.

The position works with engineers to develop preliminary project scopes and designs, establish feasibility budgets, and evaluate project viability. As projects progress, the Cost Manager develops budgets for design and construction, refines estimates through the 60–100% design stages, and supports competitive bidding. The role combines construction estimating expertise with financial and analytical skills to assess capital requirements, forecast spending, evaluate alternatives, and communicate cost, schedule, and scope trade-offs to leadership.

Hadrian is building autonomous factories using AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing to support aerospace and defense companies. The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint and capabilities and scaling its Factory-as-a-Service platform.

Requirements

• 10+ years of construction estimating or preconstruction experience, including industrial or technically complex facilities.
• Experience estimating projects from early concept through final construction documents, including quantity takeoffs and pricing across trades.
• Ability to read drawings, specifications, equipment requirements, and construction schedules.
• Advanced Excel skills for building cost models, cash-flow forecasts, and scenario analyses.
• Solid understanding of capital budgeting, investment evaluation, and basic accounting sufficient to align budgets with Finance.
• Experience leveling bids and evaluating contractor proposals.
• Clear communication skills and ability to turn complex cost data into recommendations.
• Ability to work independently across technical and finance teams while managing multiple projects.
• U.S. citizenship or nationality, lawful permanent residence, protected-individual status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligibility to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations, in order to conform to ITAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Background in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, or other capital-intensive industries.
• Experience estimating large factory builds, expansions, or renovations inside operating facilities, including industrial utilities, equipment foundations, and installation.
• Experience supporting feasibility studies and capital investment decisions.
• Familiarity with design-build and GMP (guaranteed maximum price) contracts.
• Experience with NetSuite, SAP, or similar ERP systems.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, or Tableau for cost reporting.
• Experience building estimating processes and cost databases at a fast-growing company.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers to define early project scope, layouts, and infrastructure needs.
• Build conceptual estimates and full project budgets from incomplete designs, including design, construction, permitting, commissioning, and contingency.
• Document estimate assumptions, exclusions, risks, and confidence levels.
• Compare facility options and delivery approaches to inform capital decisions.
• Prepare estimates across civil, structural, architectural, MEP, and industrial utility work using quantity takeoffs, historical costs, and contractor and supplier pricing.
• Refine budgets from feasibility through 60–100% design and explain changes.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability issues, and value engineering opportunities.
• Track estimates against bid results and final project costs to build benchmarks.
• Build cost models connecting scope, schedule, and procurement to capital needs, cash flow, and spending forecasts.
• Partner with FP&A and Accounting on returns, payback, scenario analysis, and capex-versus-opex treatment.
• Support capital approval requests and explain variances between approved budgets, current estimates, and forecasts.
• Prepare bid packages, level contractor and supplier proposals against independent estimates, and support award recommendations.
• Ensure awarded scopes and costs are reflected in project budgets and forecasts.
• Translate technical cost information into clear recommendations and executive-ready materials that flag risks early.
• Build estimating templates, standards, and tools as the function scales.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees.
• 401k.
• Relocation support may be provided in certain situations based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy.
• Equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed