COST ENGINEER

Cost Estimator

BB&E is a full service civil and environmental engineering and consulting firm, headquartered in Northville, Michigan, which services both the Federal and Industrial sectors throughout the United States. BB&E team members provide Environmental Consulting, Facilities Engineering and Program/Project Management Services to Federal and private sectors.

BB&E is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Cost Estimator to join our team to provide detailed and accurate cost estimation services for a wide range of civil works, military, and IIS projects managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Caribbean District (South Atlantic Division [SAA]) in Puerto Rico which is responsible for managing the planning, design, and construction of Civil Works, Military and Interagency and International Support (IIS) Projects throughout the Caribbean region. This role will assist in producing cost estimates, reviewing design estimates, providing cost performance analysis, and ensuring cost compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

• Cost Estimation & Review
  1. Assist in producing independent cost estimates for project planning, design, and construction Ensure that estimates are accurate, compliant with applicable standards, and aligned with project goals
  2. Review design cost estimates, identifying potential discrepancies or inaccuracies, and provide recommendations on the credibility and compliance of the estimates with relevant cost standards and policies
  3. Produce cost estimates that reflect the local market conditions and adjust based on those factors to provide realistic budget projections
  4. Perform a comprehensive validation of the designer s cost estimate, analyzing key areas that may have questionable assumptions or bases for cost allocation
  5. Ensure compliance with all program policy, business rules, and relevant approval thresholds related to cost estimating and reporting
• Cost Performance Analysis
  1. Provide ongoing cost analysis to evaluate the status of project performance, identifying any discrepancies between projected costs and actual expenditures
  2. Perform quantitative reviews and evaluations of cost performance programs, ensuring projects are adhering to cost control protocols
  3. Assist in developing strategies to address any performance gaps and provide recommendations for corrective actions
  4. Develop cost metrics and establish baseline data for project cost monitoring and tracking
  5. Identify cost drivers and develop strategies to improve cost fidelity
• Project Support & Technical Assistance
  1. Provide engineering man-hour and cost estimates for project support, helping to define the time and budget required for various engineering tasks and resources
  2. Participate in comment resolution meetings, providing feedback on the cost estimate and assisting in resolving technical comments/findings provided by the design team or other stakeholders
  3. Collaborate with the design and construction teams to ensure that the cost estimates are aligned with project expectations and contractual agreements
  4. Assess compliance with applicable programming approval documents and review cost estimates in relation to project funding thresholds
• Strategic Planning & Reporting
  1. Assist in the development of strategic options for facility engineering, particularly for large-scale projects, considering cost-effectiveness, resource utilization, and overall project goals
  2. Prepare and deliver technical reports, presentations, and cost estimates for internal and external stakeholders Provide clear, concise, and accurate data on project costs, performance, and projections

• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain/maintain a NACI/CAC is required
• Certification: Tri-Services Cost Engineering Certification (Engineer, Consultant, Engineering Technician) or certification by other National Cost Estimating Organizations is required
• Knowledge and Competencies
  1. Proven ability to collaborate with engineering and construction teams, offering technical expertise and solutions in cost estimation and financial planning
  2. Strong mathematical and analytical skills for accurate cost calculations and data interpretation
  3. In-depth understanding of construction cost estimating principles, including labor rates, material costs, equipment costs, and overhead costs
  4. Knowledge of cost estimation methods for civil engineering and construction projects, including detailed line-item cost breakdowns
  5. Familiarity with federal contracting processes and the ability to apply relevant government procurement regulations and budgeting standards in cost estimation
  6. Understanding of project scheduling and how it relates to cost estimating (e.g., identifying critical path, resource allocation, and cost forecasting)
  7. Ability to prepare detailed reports, technical presentations, and cost summaries in a clear and concise manner
  8. Ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines, ensuring the timely completion of all cost estimation and reporting duties
  9. Knowledge of local Puerto Rico market conditions and how they impact construction costs is preferred
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Software: Proficiency using MS Office software including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for cost reporting, analysis, and presentations; familiarity with specialized cost estimation software (e.g., RSMeans, WinEst, Estimating Software) is highly desirable
• Self-Starter: Highly motivated, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines autonomously

• Experience:
  1. A minimum of 10 years of construction cost estimating, particularly supporting large water resource projects and related civil works, military, and IIS projects is required
  2. Experience in reviewing design cost estimates, developing independent cost estimates, and performing cost performance analysis in complex, multi-phase projects
  3. Experience working with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or similar federal agencies on large-scale infrastructure projects is preferred
  4. Experience in water resource projects, especially those related to dams, levees, or other civil works infrastructure is preferred
• Education: A minimum of an Associate s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or Cost Estimating or a related field is required

• Ability to stand/walk/climb/kneel/crouch and remain in a stationary position/sit at least 60% of the time
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computer, copy machine, phone, etc.
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms
• Capable of lifting up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to see details of objects that are less than a few feet away
• Ability to understand the speech of another person, speak clearly so listeners can understand, and talk or hear both in person and by telephone

Compensation, Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation packages
• Participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan BB&E is 100% employee-owned!
• Discretionary bonus
• *Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with health care concierge
• *Employer provided Short-Term & Long-Term disability
• *Employer provided Life insurance
• *Employee options for supplemental life, supplemental accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and Identity theft protection benefits
• *Generous PTO plus 11 paid holidays
• Traditional & Roth 401(k) options with fully vested employer match
• Tuition reimbursement & professional development
• Employee referral program
• Financial wellness resources
• Employee discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet insurance discount

*Applies only to full-time employees

*BB&E is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.