Cost Engineer

Job Title: Cost Engineer (USACE Heavy Civil)

Location: Staten Island, NY

Project: USACE – South Shore of Staten Island (SSSI), Area-E – Stormwater Infrastructure & Interior Drainage Ponds

Position Overview:

An experienced Cost Engineer is required to support a major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works project on the South Shore of Staten Island. This role is responsible for comprehensive cost management, including tracking, forecasting, reporting, and financial controls for large-scale infrastructure construction.

The project involves interior drainage ponds, detention basins, open-channel culverts, stormwater systems, and sanitary sewer relocations. The Cost Engineer will collaborate closely with the Project Manager, field teams, Quality Control personnel, and USACE representatives to ensure cost accuracy, schedule alignment, and compliance with federal standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor and analyze all project costs, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and production rates.
• Maintain and manage cost-loaded schedules; prepare monthly and quarterly cost forecasts and reports.
• Support preparation and pricing of change orders, Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs), modifications, and claims.
• Coordinate with field teams to track quantities, daily production, and cost impacts from design changes or site conditions.
• Develop and maintain USACE-compliant cost documentation, including reporting through RMS and other project control systems.
• Review and validate subcontractor payment applications, invoices, delivery tickets, and labor reports.
• Align cost performance with project schedules in coordination with Project Managers and Superintendents.
• Assist in preparing cash flow projections, earned value analysis, cost-to-complete estimates, and financial forecasts.
• Maintain budget logs, contingency tracking, cost variance reports, and trend analyses.
• Ensure adherence to federal compliance requirements, safety standards, and quality protocols.

Required Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in Cost Engineering within heavy civil construction.
• Proven experience in:
• Earthwork, excavation, and drainage systems
• Stormwater infrastructure
• Utility relocations (sanitary, storm, water)
• Large-scale civil/site infrastructure projects
• Prior experience on USACE projects with strong understanding of federal project controls, documentation, and reporting requirements.
• Expertise in cost forecasting, earned value management, productivity tracking, and unit-price work.
• Experience in change order pricing, cost justification, and subcontractor cost evaluation.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with cost-control and project management software.
• Strong coordination experience with field teams, subcontractors, QC teams, and federal inspectors.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site daily in Staten Island, NY.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in storm resiliency, drainage infrastructure, or climate adaptation projects.
• Familiarity with RMS (Resident Management System) or similar federal cost-tracking platforms.
• Background supporting projects involving detention basins, culverts, pond systems, or stormwater structures.
• Experience with civil construction projects in the New York City area.

Project Background:

The South Shore of Staten Island faces increasing risks from severe storms and flooding. In response, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York District, has initiated a large-scale resiliency program.

This project includes:

• Construction of interior drainage ponds
• Installation of detention basins and open-channel culverts
• Upgrades to stormwater infrastructure
• Relocation of existing sanitary sewer systems

The Cost Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of this high-visibility, federally regulated infrastructure project.