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Remote Cost Estimation Engineer Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

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Experience working with engineering and technical teams to translate verbal process knowledge and ... cost estimations. Review the evaluation assignment: Learn more about Estimation AI by Naya: Try the ...

Utilize existing estimating templates to generate assembly-level cost estimates for projects based on detailed scope of work and 30-50% engineering design. * Facilitate the identification of changes ...

Utilize existing estimating templates to generate assembly-level cost estimates for projects based on detailed scope of work and 30-50% engineering design. * Facilitate the identification of changes ...

Conduct value engineering studies to optimize project outcomes * Leverage advanced tools for accurate estimating * Offer specialized cost advice and support for commercial and institutional projects ...

Cost Manager

New York, NY · On-site +1

$105K - $155K/yr

May supervise or mentor Project Engineers and Estimators as assigned, including task coordination and informal training. * Maintain and update SBI historical cost databases with relevant project data ...

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Project Estimator (NYCT)

Manhattan, NY · Remote

$104K - $135K/yr

Partner with project engineers and subconsultants to refine bid assumptions and explore cost-saving ... assignments require; remote and hybrid scheduling coordinated with the Project Manager.

Carpentry Estimator- NNJ

Wyckoff, NJ · On-site +1

$125K - $175K/yr

Wyckoff, NJ (Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid) Salary: $125,000 - $165,000 (Based on Experience ... As a Commercial Carpentry Estimator, you will analyze blueprints, prepare detailed cost estimates ...

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Remote Cost Estimation Engineer information

See Rutherford, NJ salary details

$46.4K

$98.9K

$142.2K

How much do remote cost estimation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote cost estimation engineer in Rutherford, NJ is $98,934.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,600.00 and $116,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Remote Cost Estimation Engineer do?

A Remote Cost Estimation Engineer is responsible for analyzing project requirements and creating detailed cost estimates from a remote location. They review blueprints, specifications, and other project documents to determine the costs of materials, labor, equipment, and time needed for construction or manufacturing projects. Working remotely, they often use specialized software to compile their findings and collaborate with project managers, engineers, and clients via digital communication tools. Their accurate estimates help organizations plan budgets, bid on contracts, and ensure projects are financially viable.

What are the 4 types of cost estimation?

The four main types of cost estimation are conceptual, preliminary, detailed, and definitive estimates. In a remote cost estimation engineering role, understanding these types helps in accurately forecasting project costs at different project stages, using tools like spreadsheets or specialized software. Accurate estimation is essential for budgeting, planning, and project control.

Will estimators be replaced by AI?

Remote Cost Estimation Engineers use AI tools to assist in analyzing data and generating estimates, but human judgment remains essential for accuracy and decision-making. AI can automate routine calculations and improve efficiency, yet complex projects still require expertise and contextual understanding that current AI cannot fully replicate.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A remote Cost Estimation Engineer typically does not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within engineering fields. Senior engineers with extensive experience, certifications, and leadership responsibilities may reach high six-figure incomes, but $500,000 is rare for standard engineering positions. Compensation depends on industry, location, and company size.

Can estimators work remotely?

Remote cost estimation engineers can often perform their duties from home, especially if they have access to necessary software, such as estimating tools and communication platforms. Many companies in the industry offer remote positions, requiring strong communication skills and proficiency with digital collaboration tools. However, some roles may require on-site visits or meetings depending on project needs.

What is the difference between Remote Cost Estimation Engineer vs Remote Project Estimator?

AspectRemote Cost Estimation EngineerRemote Project Estimator
CredentialsTypically requires engineering or technical certifications, cost analysis trainingOften holds certifications in project management or estimating software
Work EnvironmentWorks mainly in engineering, construction, or manufacturing sectorsOperates across various industries including construction, IT, and manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in engineering firms, construction companies, and industrial sectorsUsed by contractors, consulting firms, and project-based organizations

The Remote Cost Estimation Engineer focuses on detailed cost analysis within engineering projects, while the Remote Project Estimator handles overall project cost planning across multiple industries. Both roles require strong analytical skills and familiarity with estimating tools, but their scope and industry focus differ.

How does a Remote Cost Estimation Engineer typically collaborate with project teams and stakeholders from a distance?

Remote Cost Estimation Engineers frequently use digital tools such as project management software, video conferencing, and cloud-based document sharing to coordinate with architects, engineers, and project managers. Effective communication is essential, as much of the collaboration happens asynchronously and across time zones. They participate in virtual meetings, provide regular progress updates, and ensure all stakeholders have access to the latest cost data and estimates. Maintaining detailed documentation and being proactive in clarifying requirements are key to successfully overcoming the challenges of remote collaboration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote Cost Estimation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Cost Estimation Engineer, you need expertise in cost analysis, project management, and a relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with estimation software like CostX, PlanSwift, or Sage Estimating, as well as proficiency in MS Excel and project management tools, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with distributed teams. These skills and tools are important to deliver accurate project cost estimates, control budgets, and support remote team coordination for successful project outcomes.
What are popular job titles related to Remote Cost Estimation Engineer jobs in Rutherford, NJ? For Remote Cost Estimation Engineer jobs in Rutherford, NJ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Rutherford, NJ are hiring for Remote Cost Estimation Engineer jobs? Cities near Rutherford, NJ with the most Remote Cost Estimation Engineer job openings:
Consumer Packaged Goods Cost Estimation Consultant

Consumer Packaged Goods Cost Estimation Consultant

Naya

New York, NY • Remote

$75 - $120/hr

Contractor

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Build structured knowledge files that define decision rules, logic breakdowns, benchmarks, and assumptions for accurate Consumer Packaged Goods cost estimation.

  • Refine and upgrade the estimation methodology by incorporating frameworks and industry best practices.

  • Review and stress-test AI-generated cost estimations to identify divergences from expert reasoning and validate accuracy using structured testing.


Job description

We're looking for an experienced Consumer Packaged Goods Cost Estimation Consultant to collaborate with us in validating and strengthening the knowledge architecture of our AI-powered estimation engine. At Naya, we're building a design-led, AI-powered platform that connects product development workflows, from 3D design to costing, planning, and manufacturing conversations. Our estimation engine helps teams generate early-stage manufacturing cost insights from 3D models and related inputs

The ideal candidate brings real-world validation, domain rigor, and deep Consumer Packaged Goods costing knowledge into the system, to help advance the estimation engine to become pinpoint accurate and consistent.

The Role

This is not a traditional in-house costing job. This is about shaping how cost intelligence is structured inside an AI-powered platform. The goal is to translate expert judgment into deterministic systems, where the same product, estimated multiple times, returns the same structure and prices within a tight tolerance.

You will help us:

  • Document. Build structured skill-based knowledge files that define what accurate Consumer Packaged Goods cost estimation requires. This should include decision rules, step-by-step decision logic breakdowns, benchmarks, assumptions, and other relevant material that help map inputs to costs.
  • Refine. Upgrade our estimation methodology with frameworks and industry best practices.
  • Shape User Experience. Define and sequence the steps that reflect how your industry costing process works, ensuring the end-to-end flow is logical, fast, and easy to navigate for teams using the platform.
  • Review. Stress-test AI-generated cost estimations across materials, processes, tooling, labor, and overhead and identify where the system's logic diverges from how an expert would actually reason.
  • Validate. Conduct structured testing, constructing a reference product set, generating estimates against known actuals, and iterating on the skill-based documentation to meet accuracy and repeatability targets.
  • Strengthen trust. Contribute to case studies, structured reviews, and credibility-building insights that increase confidence in AI-assisted costing.

You will work closely with product and leadership, through knowledge-capture sessions and async document review, to ensure our estimation engine reflects real-world manufacturing logic.

What You Bring

(Core requirements)

  • A minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in product costing or manufacturing cost estimation within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry is required.
  • Demonstrated experience building BOM-based costing models with explicit rules for how inputs map to costs, including material yield, labor time, overhead allocation, and tooling amortization.
  • Experience building standardized estimation templates or RFQ benchmarking tools.
  • Strong working knowledge of materials, fabrication processes, tooling, supply chain dynamics, and value engineering.
  • Understanding of rate data origins, published indexes, internal benchmarking, direct quoting, and can articulate provenance, volatility, and confidence level of each number.
  • Experience working with engineering and technical teams to translate verbal process knowledge and decision rules into documented form.
  • Comfort reviewing 3D models or CAD-driven inputs as costing triggers.

(Vertical Specific knowledge)

  • Fluency in CPG-specific cost structures: primary packaging, secondary packaging, fill and formula cost, and how packaging format decisions drive unit economics.
  • Hands-on experience with costing across packaging material types such as PET, glass, aluminum, paperboard, and flexible film, including how commodity volatility impacts unit cost.
  • Working knowledge of co-manufacturing and co-packing cost structures: tolling fees, line changeover costs, minimum run lengths, and how to decompose a co-packer quote into its constituent parts.
  • Familiarity with formula costing for food, beverage, personal care, or household products, including ingredient pricing, yield loss, and regulatory-driven formulation constraints.
  • Understanding of regional sourcing benchmarks, including primary co-manufacturing geographies and how they compare across product categories, volume bands, and lead time requirements.

Who You Are

  • Strategic. You think in frameworks.
  • Rigor-driven. Assumptions matter to you. You care about the difference between a range and a keyed lookup.
  • Clear communicator. You can explain complex costing logic simply, how a number was derived, and what inputs change it.
  • Collaborative. You’re comfortable working with product and engineering teams.
  • Curious. You’re interested in how AI can enhance, and not replace, expert judgment.

Engagement Details

Phase 1: Knowledge capture and validation.

Structured sync sessions and active async communications will cover vertical scope, process steps, rate data, and cross-checks.

Phase 2: Refinement and stress-testing.

Enhance skill files, redline data, and perform multiple validation passes against reference product sets, iterating towards low variance, high accuracy, and consistent results across repeated cost estimations.

Review the evaluation assignment: https://tally.so/r/lbgrBo

Learn more about Estimation AI by Naya: https://naya.studio/estimation

Try the Estimation AI Sandbox: https://naya.studio/ai-estimation-enterprise