Project Cost Engineer

Project Cost Engineer

 

Location: Calama, Chile

 

Summary:

The Project Cost Engineer provides project management, construction management, cost and schedule analysis, reporting, and general project controls support for a major capital project. Working under general supervision, this position evaluates project performance against established baselines, identifies potential cost and schedule impacts, validates contractor-reported progress, and supports effective change management. The successful candidate will apply engineering and construction knowledge to resolve moderately complex project controls issues while collaborating with project team members, contractors, and other stakeholders.

 

Job Duties:

Cost and Schedule Controls

• Analyze, evaluate, and forecast project status against established cost and schedule baselines.
• Review construction methodologies to identify potential issues, evaluate impacts, and recommend corrective actions.
• Assess the effects of design and construction changes, including potential cost growth and schedule slippage.
• Evaluate proposed process improvements, requests for information, and differing site conditions for cost or schedule impacts.
• Review contractor schedules for accuracy and alignment with the overall master schedule.
• Examine project documents and design packages to determine milestones, sequencing requirements, and compliance with the project schedule.
• Validate contractor-reported progress percentages through reviews of design documentation, construction progress, and established rules of credit.

Estimating and Change Management

• Estimate material, equipment, and labor quantities and costs to validate project estimates, change orders, and scope changes.
• Review design drawings, sketches, calculations, material take-offs, and other engineering or construction information.
• Identify out-of-scope changes during design reviews and document quantity variances using material take-offs from design documents.
• Assist with processing project change notices and reporting changes through the Client’s change management system.
• Evaluate engineering alternatives and apply practical, innovative methods to help resolve difficult project controls issues.

 

 

 

Engineering and Construction Support

• Apply engineering, procurement, and construction terminology, concepts, and relationships to the assigned scope of work.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable project safety and quality standards.
• Review and process engineering submittals, track their progress, and coordinate reviews with the project manager, project team members, and other stakeholders.
• Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and topographical or geological information to support project planning.
• Review contractor equipment logs, timesheets, supplier invoices, and contracts to verify that personnel and equipment are being used as specified.

Reporting and Collaboration

• Assist with preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly project reports.
• Provide specialized guidance and support for the resolution of project controls challenges.
• Collaborate with members of the department and assigned work group.
• Perform other duties as required.

 

Job Requirements:

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED with eleven years of experience in engineering, construction, project controls, or a business-related field, including at least six years of experience in a project controls leadership role; or
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field with seven years of construction management experience, including at least four years of experience in a project controls leadership role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering, construction, cost control, scheduling, and project controls principles.
• Ability to analyze moderately complex project issues and independently implement practical solutions under frequent supervision.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, design documents, schedules, estimates, contracts, invoices, material take-offs, and construction records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to work effectively with project managers, project team members, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• No direct budgetary, personnel management, project management, or program management responsibility is assigned to this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project management and project controls software such as Primavera, Aconex, EcoSys, or SAP.