Cost Engineering Specialist

STV is seeking a Cost Engineering Specialist to join our Project Controls department at our New York City office. This position will support major transportation, transit, infrastructure, aviation, and capital improvement programs by providing cost management, forecasting, budgeting, earned value analysis, and project performance reporting services throughout the project lifecycle.

The Cost Engineering Specialist II will work closely with project managers, schedulers, estimators, construction managers, and client stakeholders to ensure effective cost control and project financial performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, experience evaluating complex project cost data, and a solid understanding of project controls principles and best practices. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to some of the region's most significant infrastructure programs while advancing a rewarding career within STV's growing Project Controls practice.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Cost Management & Forecasting

• Develop, maintain, and monitor project budgets, cost reports, forecasts, and cash flow projections.

• Track project expenditures, commitments, accruals, and budget utilization.

• Perform cost variance analysis and identify emerging budget risks and opportunities.

• Support Estimate at Completion (EAC) development and forecasting activities.

• Analyze project financial performance against approved budgets and established baselines.

• Review invoices, contractor payment applications, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Earned Value & Performance Management

• Support earned value management (EVM) reporting and project performance analysis.

• Monitor key performance indicators and provide recommendations for corrective actions.

• Assist project teams in evaluating cost trends and productivity impacts.

• Prepare performance measurement reports for project leadership and client stakeholders.

• Support monthly project reviews and financial reporting requirements.

Change Management & Cost Risk Analysis

• Track and evaluate change orders, scope modifications, and potential cost impacts.

• Support cost risk assessments and contingency analyses.

• Assist with development and maintenance of project risk registers.

• Analyze budget impacts associated with project changes and evolving project conditions.

• Support claims avoidance through accurate cost documentation and reporting.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare recurring cost reports, dashboards, and project performance metrics.

• Develop reporting tools utilizing Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and project controls systems.

• Analyze large datasets and communicate cost trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Ensure project controls data integrity across financial and reporting systems.

• Support executive-level reporting and client presentations.

Project Controls Integration

• Collaborate with schedulers, estimators, project managers, engineers, and construction teams.

• Support integration of cost and schedule information to facilitate comprehensive project controls reporting.

• Assist in the development and implementation of project controls procedures and best practices.

• Participate in project meetings and provide updates on financial performance and forecasting.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Project Controls Department.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related discipline.

• 4-7 years of experience in cost engineering, project controls, cost management, estimating, project finance, or related disciplines.

• Experience supporting transportation, transit, infrastructure, aviation, construction, or capital improvement projects.

• Strong knowledge of:

  • Cost Engineering Principles
  • Cost Forecasting & Budget Management
  • Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • Cost Performance Analysis
  • Change Management
  • Risk Management
  • Project Controls Reporting

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced project environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting MTA, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, NYSDOT, NJ Transit, Amtrak, or other major infrastructure clients.

• Experience using Primavera P6 and integrated cost/schedule reporting methodologies.

• Familiarity with PMIS platforms such as Oracle Unifier, Prism, e-Builder, Kahua, or similar systems.

• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or advanced reporting and analytics tools.

• Knowledge of quantitative cost risk analysis and contingency management.

• Professional certifications such as:

  • AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
  • AACE Earned Value Professional (EVP)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP)

Compensation Range: $95,975.90 - $109,686.74

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.