Cost Engineer, Construction/Development

Reef Capital Partners•Park City, UT

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Reef is seeking a Cost Engineer to lead cost management efforts across multiple development projects to support the company's growth. The Cost Engineer supervises and performs cost estimating, cost evaluations, baseline cost reviews, and contractor and supplier cost analyses. They provide cost-related insights to support project planning and organizational decision-making while monitoring emerging cost trends for management attention. This role maintains the corporate cost reference database for projects in design and construction, ensuring accurate and consistent cost information. Responsibilities may also include reviewing invoices to verify proper revenue collection. The Senior Cost Engineer oversees cost engineering, estimating, and cost control activities across several projects, driving accuracy, accountability, and financial efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, or similar), Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, or a closely related discipline is required
5-10 years of experience in cost engineering, including cost estimating, cost control, and cost analysis in both field and home office environments.
Experience in performing, monitoring, and reviewing cost engineering functions, which include cost estimating, cost control, and cost analysis, in the field and the home office.
Experience establishing and using cost reference databases to build the corporate cost reference library.
Knowledge of supervision, personnel administration, and training of technical and non-technical personnel.
Statistical knowledge in the areas of sampling, distributions, probability, and hypothesis testing for metrics.
Skilled in oral and written communication.
Proficiency with PC operating systems, with experience using engineering and cost-engineering related programs
Knowledge of financial reporting systems, controller account codes, and and understanding of Controller instructions, which impact Project Controls (including Project Financial Status Reports and Earned Revenue Determination Data).
Intermediate level of knowledge of engineering, procurement, contracts, construction, and startup work processes.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
ASCE or ASPE certification

Responsibilities

Lead project and program estimating efforts while maintaining corporate cost databases and reference materials.
Track, analyze, and report project costs to support development decisions and opportunity evaluation.
Review design scope, quantities, and estimate assumptions for accuracy; develop conceptual scopes when needed.
Oversee preparation and validation of cost estimates, ensuring consistency across projects and disciplines.
Establish pricing structures, cost formats, risk assessments, and confidence levels.
Prepare and review direct and indirect cost estimates, including labor, equipment, temporary facilities, and external factors.
Perform productivity analysis and validate labor and production assumptions.
Support procurement by developing bid criteria, evaluating bids, and participating in vendor discussions.
Maintain and update cost data, vendor pricing, and unit rate information.
Conduct cost studies, trend analyses, and benchmarking using historical data and statistical methods.
Implement performance measurement systems and identify opportunities for process improvement.
Define and enforce project cost control standards, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and compliance.
Oversee cost reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with management requirements.
Review designs for cost efficiency and recommend value engineering alternatives.
Coordinate scope integration, cost inputs, and overall project planning across teams.
Interface with leadership, finance teams, and external stakeholders to present cost insights.
Collaborate with project managers, engineering teams, and leadership to maintain alignment.
Plan and lead reporting cycles, meetings, and communication with stakeholders.
Recommend staffing plans and resource requirements for cost engineering and project controls.
Support training and development of cost engineering processes and best practices.