Cost Engineer

ORCAS Project Controls•Thousand Oaks, CA

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

ORCAS Project Controls is seeking a Cost Engineer to support large-scale biotech capital projects valued at more than $500 million in Northern Los Angeles. This hands-on technical role manages project cost controls, forecasting, reporting, and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle. Work includes budgeting, change management, risk analysis, cash flow planning, and cost controls, while providing project teams with data-driven insights to support decision-making. The role collaborates with project managers, contractors, and stakeholders to support accurate reporting, effective cost management, contractual compliance, and successful project delivery. Some management of other project controls team members is expected, though it is not the primary focus. This is a hybrid position requiring three days per week on-site in Northern Los Angeles. ORCAS describes a collaborative environment that supports ongoing education and professional development and values integrity, loyalty, trust, and high standards.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience working in cGMP, R&D, or office construction, including cC&S and fitout.
5–7 years of experience in cost controls for industrial or manufacturing capital construction projects.
Full understanding of cost control and management.
Experience with multiple mid-scale complex projects valued at $200 million or more.
Strong understanding of procurement and contracts.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in project controls, accounting, estimating, planning and scheduling, progress measurement, forecasting and reporting, and risk management.
Demonstrated experience with Monte Carlo methods for construction risk management.
Strong organization and prioritization skills for accurate, largely self-directed work.
Advanced knowledge of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems in construction.
Strong written and verbal communication and presentation capabilities.
Good interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Team spirit and dedication to team success.
At least 5 years of relevant construction experience.
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and SAP.
Intermediate skills in Join.Build and Planisware.

Nice To Haves

Biotech experience.
PMI or AACE certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and adhere to the Project Controls Plan for estimating, funding, procurement, and cost.
Develop and maintain project cost information in the cost management tool according to control account guidelines.
Manage original and current budgets, current forecasts, commitments, actuals, changes, earned value, productivity, CPI, SPI, staffing plans versus actuals by name, risk, commitment curves, cash flow curves, and accruals based on work in place.
Set up and support target value design to manage design to cost.
Reconcile cost data from local accounting systems with the project controls system of record.
Support the Project Manager with cost reporting, forecasting, and negotiation of contracts and change orders.
Develop reports on actuals, variances, and trends, and reforecast as necessary.
Ensure proper change management throughout project phases.
Develop and maintain detailed cash flow and commitment flow throughout project phases.
Evaluate external costs and develop internal cost estimates in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Participate in the value engineering process.
Analyze change orders for cost impact.
Provide cost impacts associated with identified project risks.
Perform risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation.
Review and validate project invoice contractual compliance.
Assist with financial project close-out.
Develop and ensure recording of project historical cost information and lessons learned for future use.