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Construction Cost Estimator / Cost Engineer (Mandarin Required)

Location: Manteno, Illinois
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 annually (based on experience)

Position Summary

Gotion is seeking a Mandarin-speaking Construction Cost Estimator / Cost Engineer to support the planning, estimating, budgeting, and cost control of large-scale industrial construction projects at our Manteno, Illinois facility. This role serves as a key liaison between U.S. contractors, design teams, suppliers, and Gotion's Chinese management and engineering teams. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate cost estimates, evaluating contractor proposals, managing project budgets, and providing cost analysis throughout all phases of construction.

The ideal candidate has experience with industrial or commercial construction estimating, strong analytical skills, and is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare quantity takeoffs, conceptual estimates, detailed cost estimates, and project budgets for industrial buildings, civil, architectural, MEP, and site development projects.
• Review construction drawings, technical specifications, bid documents, and contracts to ensure accurate pricing.
• Analyze contractor and supplier proposals, identifying scope gaps, duplicated costs, pricing discrepancies, and value engineering opportunities.
• Prepare bid control estimates, cost analyses, budget forecasts, and financial reports.
• Review pricing for Potential Change Orders (PCOs), Change Orders (COs), and other contract modifications.
• Verify contractor labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, overhead, and profit costs.
• Participate in procurement activities, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract pricing reviews.
• Track contract values, approved and pending change orders, payment applications, and project closeout costs.
• Develop and maintain cost databases for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.
• Communicate effectively in English and Mandarin Chinese with U.S. contractors, consultants, suppliers, and Gotion's Chinese management and engineering teams.
• Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, and Project Management to monitor project budgets, control costs, and mitigate financial risks.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, contractual obligations, and project controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in construction estimating, cost engineering, cost control, or contract administration.
• Experience with commercial, industrial, manufacturing, or large construction projects.
• Ability to independently review construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Strong knowledge of quantity takeoffs, budgeting, bid analysis, payment applications, change order management, and project closeout.
• Experience with one or more construction disciplines including Civil, Structural, Architectural, MEP, or Site Development.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Bluebeam Revu.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written). This is a required qualification.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with battery manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, large manufacturing plants, semiconductor, automotive, or industrial construction projects.
• Experience working for a General Contractor, Owner, Engineering Firm, EPC Contractor, or Cost Consulting firm.
• Knowledge of CSI MasterFormat and U.S. construction pricing practices.
• Experience with PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, Procore, RSMeans, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar estimating software.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, CEP, CPE, PMP, or related credentials.