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Lead Cost Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nexus Engineering Group

Lead Cost Engineer

Akron, OH

The Lead Cost Engineer role is a senior position within the Project Services organization supporting a major capital power project. The role is responsible for establishing, managing, and reporting ...

Nexus Engineering Group

Lead Cost Engineer

Akron, OH

The Lead Cost Engineer role is a senior position within the Project Services organization supporting a major capital power project. The role is responsible for establishing, managing, and reporting ...

STV

Cost Engineer

Dallas, TX

$83K - $95K/yr

The Cost Engineering Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to project managers, clients, and ... Lead development, maintenance, and analysis of project budgets, cost reports, cash flow forecasts ...

STV Incorporated

Cost Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$83K - $95K/yr

The Cost Engineering Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to project managers, clients, and ... Lead development, maintenance, and analysis of project budgets, cost reports, cash flow forecasts ...

Trojan Battery Company

Cost Engineer

Charleston, WV · Remote

Develop part-level and system-level should-cost models for Lead-Acid and Li-ion battery components ... Partner with Product Engineering and Manufacturing to influence design decisions through Design-to ...

C&D Technologies, Inc.

Cost Engineer

Lihue, HI · On-site

Develop part-level and system-level should-cost models for Lead-Acid and Li-ion battery components ... Partner with Product Engineering and Manufacturing to influence design decisions through Design-to ...

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All JobsLead Cost Engineer Jobs

Lead Cost Engineer information

See salary details

$45.5K

$97K

$139.5K

How much do lead cost engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead cost engineer in the United States is $97,048.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead cost engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Cost Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, expertise in cost estimation, and a degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard cost management software such as Primavera, SAP, or CostX, and relevant certifications like AACE's Certified Cost Professional (CCP) are typically required. Exceptional leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate project cost controls, minimizing financial risks, and ensuring project success.

How does a lead cost engineer typically collaborate with project managers and other stakeholders during a project's lifecycle?

A Lead Cost Engineer plays a central role in working closely with project managers, schedulers, and procurement teams to ensure that project budgets are accurately developed, maintained, and updated throughout the project's lifecycle. This collaboration often involves regular meetings to review cost forecasts, identify potential risks, and propose cost-saving strategies. Strong communication skills are essential, as the Lead Cost Engineer must clearly present financial data and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. By actively participating in cross-functional teams, the Lead Cost Engineer helps facilitate informed decision-making and keeps projects on track financially.

What is a lead cost engineer?

Lead Cost Engineers are professionals responsible for overseeing and managing the estimation, budgeting, and monitoring of costs on large projects, often within industries such as construction, engineering, and oil and gas. They lead a team of cost engineers and work closely with project managers to ensure that projects stay within budget and financial risks are minimized. Their duties include analyzing project requirements, preparing cost forecasts, tracking expenditures, and reporting on financial performance. Lead Cost Engineers play a crucial role in project planning and execution by providing accurate and timely cost information to support decision-making.

What is the difference between Lead Cost Engineer vs Cost Engineer?

AspectLead Cost EngineerCost Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, finance, or related field; often with certifications like AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP)Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or related field; may also hold CCP certification
Work EnvironmentLeads cost estimation teams, manages budgets, and oversees cost control in large projectsPerforms cost analysis, estimates, and monitoring within project teams
Industry UsageCommon in large construction, engineering, and infrastructure projectsUsed across similar industries for project cost management

The Lead Cost Engineer typically holds a more senior role, overseeing teams and managing complex budgets, while the Cost Engineer focuses on detailed cost analysis and estimation. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in project cost management, but the Lead Cost Engineer has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

More about Lead Cost Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Cost Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Lead Cost Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Lead Cost Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Cost Engineer jobs are:
Lead Cost Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Cost Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,048 per year, or $46.7 per hour.

Lead Cost Engineer

Nexus Engineering Group

Cleveland, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Lead Cost Engineer role is a senior position within the Project Services organization supporting a major capital power project. The role is responsible for establishing, managing, and reporting the project's cost position across all phases of execution.
This individual will lead cost engineering activities including cost control, forecasting, earned value management, and support change management. The Lead Cost Engineer will work closely with Project Management, Scheduling, Procurement, and Construction teams to ensure full integration of cost with project execution.
The role requires an experienced professional capable of operating within a complex EPC/EPCm environment, managing multiple stakeholders, and providing clear, accurate, and timely cost visibility to both internal and client leadership teams.
This position will be based out of the Nexus Cleveland Office with up to 25% travel to Akron, OH.
Accountabilities
  • Manage the total installed cost (TIC) position for the project, ensuring accuracy and transparency

  • Ensure project cost performance aligns with client expectations and Nexus standards for cost management and reporting

  • Lead the development and maintenance of the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) aligned with the WBS

  • Establish and manage project cost baselines, budgets, and forecasting processes

  • Provide clear and timely reporting of cost performance, including variances, risks, and opportunities

  • Lead earned value management implementation and ensure alignment between cost and schedule performance

  • Ensure procurement commitments, subcontract costs, and vendor forecasts are accurately reflected in cost reports

  • Support governance processes including stage gate reviews, assurance reviews, and executive reporting

  • Drive integration between cost, schedule, procurement, engineering, and construction teams

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain cost control systems, procedures, and reporting frameworks for the project

  • Lead cost reporting cycles (weekly, including actuals, commitments, and forecast to complete)

  • Perform variance analysis and provide clear explanations of cost deviations and performance trends

  • Implement and manage earned value metrics including CPI, SPI, and estimate at completion (EAC)

  • Maintain and manage the project trend log

  • Support the preparation and evaluation of change orders and claims

  • Track and report procurement commitments and subcontractor cost exposure

  • Develop and maintain project cash flow forecasts

  • Ensure alignment between cost reporting and project schedule progress

  • Interface with client representatives to present cost performance and key insights

  • Support system setup and integration with ERP and project controls tools

Experience
  • 10-15 years of cost engineering or project controls experience

  • Proven experience on large capital projects ($500MM-$2B+) within EPC or EPCm environments

  • Strong experience implementing and managing earned value management systems

  • Experience working across engineering, procurement, and construction phases of projects

  • Demonstrated experience managing cost on complex, multi-contractor projects

  • Experience supporting change management, claims, and commercial discussions

  • Strong understanding of project controls systems, cost management tools, and ERP integrations

  • Excellent communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and clients

Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a related field (required)

  • Professional certifications such as CCP (Certified Cost Professional) (preferred)

About Nexus Engineering Group
Nexus Engineering Group, a distinguished independent full-service engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) firm, provides comprehensive support to clients from concept through startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise.
At Nexus, you will be part of a talented and passionate team dedicated to excellence and innovation. We foster a collaborative and engaging work environment, making it a place where you'll enjoy contributing to impactful projects. Joining Nexus means aligning with a firm renowned for its creativity, dedication, and relentless focus on achieving client goals.
Equal Opportunity Employer & Reasonable Accommodation
Nexus Engineering Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Nexus Engineering Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].
Sponsorship & Work Authorization
Nexus Engineering Group does not provide employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including CPT, OPT, or employment-based visas. Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States and must be able to maintain that authorization throughout employment without any action, filing, or sponsorship by the company. This requirement applies both at the time of hire and on a continuing basis for the duration of employment.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Nexus Engineering Group does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from external recruiters or agencies. We only engage approved third-party partners under a written agreement initiated by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Any resumes submitted without prior authorization or a current agreement will not be eligible for placement fees and will be considered the property of Nexus Engineering Group.
We may use AI tools to help our recruitment team review and organize applications. These tools support - but never replace - human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people. If you'd like to know more about how your data is handled, contact us at [email protected].

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