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Real Estate Development Jobs in Portland, IN (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

About Us Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ...

Real Estate Development information

See Portland, IN salary details

$46.1K

$86.6K

$137.2K

How much do real estate development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for real estate development in Portland, IN is $86,591.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,500.00 and $108,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is real estate development?

Real estate development is the process of creating new buildings or renovating existing properties for residential, commercial, or mixed-use purposes. It involves tasks such as acquiring land, securing financing, obtaining permits, overseeing construction, and managing the eventual sale or lease of the property. Developers coordinate with architects, contractors, government agencies, and investors throughout each stage of a project. The goal is to transform raw land or underutilized properties into valuable assets that meet market demand.

What are the qualifications to get a job in real estate development?

The qualifications to get a job in real estate development vary depending on your responsibilities. For investment and development jobs, the most important thing is money, whether it is from personal wealth or investors. Some developers work specifically with municipal governments or community organizations. If you seek investors, you need to have strong financial skills, good negotiation and presentation tactics, and strategic vision. To become a construction or design worker in real estate development, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or credentials from an apprenticeship and several years of work as a commercial or residential contractor. Marketing professionals need a background in PR or real estate.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a real estate developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Real Estate Developer, you need strong project management, financial analysis, and market research skills, often supported by a degree in real estate, business, or a related field. Familiarity with financial modeling software, CAD tools, and zoning or permitting systems is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving abilities set top developers apart. These skills are crucial for successfully managing complex projects, securing investment, and navigating regulatory environments to deliver profitable developments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in real estate development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in real estate development often encounter challenges such as navigating complex zoning regulations, securing project financing, and coordinating with a diverse group of stakeholders including architects, contractors, and government agencies. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Building a network of reliable partners and staying informed about local market trends can also help mitigate risks and ensure project success.

What is the difference between Real Estate Development vs Real Estate Brokerage?

AspectReal Estate DevelopmentReal Estate Brokerage
Required CredentialsReal estate license, possibly a degree in real estate, finance, or urban planningReal estate license, sales certification
Work EnvironmentProject sites, offices, planning meetingsReal estate offices, property showings, client meetings
Industry UsageInvolved in planning, financing, and constructing new propertiesFacilitates property sales and leasing between buyers and sellers

Real estate development focuses on creating new properties from planning to construction, while real estate brokerage centers on selling and leasing existing properties. Both roles require real estate licenses but differ significantly in daily activities and project involvement.

Do real estate developers make a lot of money?

Real estate developers can earn high incomes, especially when managing large projects or successful developments, but earnings vary widely based on experience, project size, location, and market conditions. Successful developers often require strong financial skills, market knowledge, and access to capital. Income potential increases with experience and a proven track record in the industry.

Is real estate development a good career?

Real estate development is a viable career that involves managing the planning, financing, and construction of property projects. Success requires strong project management skills, knowledge of market trends, and often a background in finance, architecture, or urban planning. It can be financially rewarding but also involves significant risk and long-term commitment.

What exactly do real estate developers do?

Real estate developers plan, design, and oversee the development of new properties or the renovation of existing ones, including residential, commercial, or industrial projects. They coordinate with architects, contractors, and government agencies, secure financing, and manage project timelines to bring developments from concept to completion.

What cities near Portland, IN are hiring for Real Estate Development jobs?

Cities near Portland, IN with the most Real Estate Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Real Estate Development job openings in Portland, IN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,591 per year, or $41.6 per hour.

Senior Project Cost Engineer

Clayco

Dayton, OH • On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Clayco rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

The Role We Want You For

As a Senior Project Cost Engineer, you will assist in the development and management of the project financial strategy. You will be working directly with the project management team to manage the project budget, costs, change orders, pricing requests, billings, and forecasts. You will be responsible for generating and maintaining reports that provide information to different groups, work with the management team to identify variances, risks and maintain quality control processes to improve project cost procedures and ensuring conformity with management's strategy.

The Specifics of the Role

  • Works with all project disciplines to ensure understanding of total project cost budget allowances and targets.
  • Review project documents and specifications to accurately identify, develop and track request of change orders (owner and subcontractor related), baseline estimates, potential risk exposures while communicating potential impacts to the financial targets, schedule, and overall project management process.
  • Works closely with the accounting department to ensure the correct integration of all information needed to ensure accuracy in billings, payment applications, change orders, direct cost, labor cost, etc.
  • Works closely with the project management team, executive management personnel, subcontractors, as well as occasional contact with clients.
  • Responsible for cost engineering, cost estimation, cost analysis, and control activities for projects with significant non-routine requirements or for proposal estimating activities which require a moderate degree of technical skill and experience.
  • Ensuring quality, accuracy, consistency, spend profile, performing change management, and transparency in all cost management deliverables.
  • Take ownership of the cost control function and ensure integrity of the cost and forecast reporting.

Requirements

  • Knowledge of project development stages, procurement, project controls, and construction execution practices is required.
  • Working knowledge of applicable computer software such as PMWeb or similar project portfolio management software, DataServ, Excel, JD Edwards, or related software programs.
  • Effective problem-solving skills.
  • Results oriented and deliver on customer commitments.
  • PMP certification desirable.

Some Things You Should Know

  • Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
  • No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
  • We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
  • The pace is fast!
  • This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing. 

Why Clayco?

  • 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
  • 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
  • 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
  • 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
  • 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders - Data Center Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

  • Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company performance and individual contribution.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

  • The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.




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