Senior Cost Engineering Specialist

STV is seeking a Senior Cost Engineering Specialist to join our growing Project Controls team in Dallas, Texas. This role is ideal for an experienced cost engineering professional who excels at providing cost management, forecasting, earned value analysis, change management, and financial performance oversight for complex infrastructure, transportation, and capital improvement programs.

The Senior Cost Engineering Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to project managers, clients, and project leadership teams by providing accurate and timely cost analysis that supports informed decision-making and successful project delivery. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, advanced cost management expertise, and the ability to independently lead cost engineering efforts across multiple projects.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Forecasting

Lead development, maintenance, and analysis of project budgets, cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and Estimate at Completion (EAC) calculations.

Monitor project expenditures, commitments, accruals, and forecasts to ensure alignment with approved budgets.

Perform detailed cost variance, trend, and productivity analyses to identify project risks and opportunities.

Develop and maintain cost breakdown structures (CBS) and reporting frameworks.

Support project teams with financial planning, budget controls, and forecasting processes.

Earned Value Management & Performance Reporting

Implement and maintain Earned Value Management (EVM) processes and methodologies.

Analyze Cost Performance Index (CPI), Schedule Performance Index (SPI), and other key project performance indicators.

Develop dashboards and executive-level reporting packages that communicate project performance, trends, and financial health.

Provide recommendations to mitigate cost overruns and improve project performance.

Change Management & Cost Impact Analysis

Evaluate change orders, contract modifications, and scope changes for financial impacts.

Perform detailed cost impact assessments and support negotiations with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders.

Maintain change management logs and ensure proper documentation and approval workflows.

Support claims avoidance and dispute resolution through detailed cost analysis and documentation.

Risk Analysis & Financial Planning

Identify project cost risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.

Support quantitative risk assessments and contingency evaluations.

Develop scenario analyses and forecasting models to evaluate alternative project outcomes.

Collaborate with project controls, scheduling, and risk management teams to establish integrated project performance assessments.

Client Engagement & Leadership

Serve as the primary cost engineering resource on assigned projects and programs.

Present project financial performance updates to internal leadership and external clients.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior cost engineers and project controls professionals.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, standards development, and best practices across the Project Controls organization.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Project Controls, or a related discipline.

8–12+ years of progressive experience in cost engineering, project controls, construction management, or program controls.

Demonstrated experience supporting large transportation, infrastructure, aviation, transit, facilities, energy, or capital improvement programs.

Advanced experience with:

Cost forecasting

Budget management

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Cost variance analysis

Change management

Financial performance reporting

Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including advanced financial analysis and reporting capabilities.

Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to independently manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

AACE International certifications such as:

Certified Cost Professional (CCP)

Earned Value Professional (EVP)

Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP)

Experience with PMIS platforms such as:

e-Builder

Kahua

Oracle Primavera Unifier

Deltek Cobra

EcoSys

Experience supporting public-sector and transportation clients.

Familiarity with Primavera P6 and schedule-cost integration methodologies.

Experience supporting projects valued at $100M+.

Compensation Range:

$116,930.89 - $133,635.31

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.