As a cost engineer, you estimate the various costs associated with a project. You can perform your duties in a variety of settings and industries. Many cost engineers work in construction, manufacturing, or other industrial enterprises. In these positions, your responsibilities focus on using technical knowledge to forecast expenses for all phases of the project accurately. You help create a budget that includes time, materials, labor costs, and other factors. These other factors may include things like travel, taxes, and security needs. Cost engineers use specialized software to organize their cost figures and compile information for creating a budget.