Cost Engineer at Dragados USA;ScanScape in Honolulu, Hawaii

Job Description:

Founded in 1941, Dragados is a primary construction arm of ACS Group, consistently ranked first overall on the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 250 International Contractors List. Dragados is an industry leader in delivering all types of major infrastructure projects and has a proven track record of completing some of the largest, most complex, and first-of-their kind projects in the U.S. and across the globe. In North America alone, Dragados has experience delivering more than $40 billion worth of major infrastructure projects within the last 10 years and is currently ranked #5 in transportation and #31 overall on ENR's 2022 Top 400 Contractors list.


Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Pacific has awarded Dragados JV a $2.8 billion task order - under an $8 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), multiple-award construction contract awarded in November 2021 to Dragados JV to replace a dry dock at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor.




Cost Control Engineer



The Cost Controller Engineer tracks, analyzes and controls the costs associated with a large-scale construction Project. Day-to-day, includes forecasting expenditures, planning budgets, classifying costs by type, tracking man-hours allocated to a project, tracking quantities produced, verifying supplier invoices and track change events that impact the budget. The Cost Controller Engineer will be required to perform these tasks alone, or when required perform the duties and work as part of a larger team.


As a Cost Controller, you will work under the supervision of the Project Controls Manager and collaborate closely with Project Managers and the Finance, Accounting, Commercial, Construction, Design, and other departments. One of its responsibilities will be to prepare accurate monthly cost reports for the project, including comprehensive comparisons to the budget, assessment of change orders, peer-group benchmarking, historical trending, quarterly analytics, and forward-looking forecasts.


Project cost control is a vital component of project cost management, involving continuous monitoring and adjustment of project spending in relation to baseline expectations. It will be responsible for implementing and utilizing monitoring software to track costs and investigate any discrepancies. Successful cost control requires in-depth knowledge of project planning and execution, as it will need to identify deviations from projections and understand their underlying causes. Regular review of the project budget is essential to assess spending acceptability and promptly implement corrective measures when necessary. Budget reviews are to be conducted on a weekly basis to promptly detect and address overspending, thereby minimizing additional costs.


Effective communication with all team members is crucial. By regularly engaging with team members, it can gain insights into their resource utilization and expenses. Additionally, collaborating with other department managers or vendors can foster the development of new corrective measures to optimize cost control. Ensuring project scope adherence is another critical aspect of the role. By monitoring labor budgets and ensuring that all team members are aware of the project's scope, budget, and contractual obligations, it can prevent unnecessary additional labor costs, related expenses, and project delays.


To facilitate a granular understanding of cost discrepancies, it will be required to track both budget allocation and spending for individual project components or activities. This may involve monitoring contractor/subcontractor expenses, labor costs, materials, and equipment across different departments, or separately tracking labor equipment and material expenditures.


In situations where corrective measures do not entirely align project costs with the estimated figures, review the original estimation and budget process. If there were discrepancies or forgotten costs during that process, work with the construction group to revise the budget and use that information to make better estimates for future works.



The main roles and responsibilities are:

• Attend training sessions to acquire proficiency in company-specific procedures and software.


• Collaborate with Project Managers and field supervisors/engineers to identify opportunities for improved efficiencies, higher quality construction and service, and optimal workstreams.


• Communicate and track milestones, project completion status, change orders, and overall timing related to cost control functions with personnel in subcontracts, accounting, and finance.


• Lead the coordination of financial and cost models, appraisals, cost segregation studies, independent engineering reports, and other required documents.


• Assist in the preparation and reporting of operation-level key performance indicators.


• Support month-end processes by coordinating accruals with accounting and providing a cost inventory valuation report.


• Apply engineering, procurement, and construction terminology, concepts, and relationships to the scope of work during cost control activities.


• Ensure project controls processes and procedures are in place and compliant with corporate standards to meet reporting expectations.


• Collaborate with Project Managers and field supervisors to propose recommendations for improved efficiencies, higher quality construction and service, and optimal workstreams.


• Work with Project Managers to develop project cost forecasts and distribution schedules; compile accurate cost management data to prepare the project budget and update project progress.


• Lead weekly project cost reviews and meetings.


• Assist Procurement Manager, Project Managers, and Site Managers in the vendor purchase order process, including providing budget information for preparing periodic reports on procurement.


• Work with Project Managers, Estimation, and Engineering teams to develop initial Bills of Materials (BoMs) at the start of each project. Monitor compliance with the BoMs and update and modify them throughout the construction process to match project requirements and support cost distributions.


• Coordinate the review of Project Profit/Risk Analysis with management and provide status reporting.


• Ensure efficient communication and distribution of cost information with all key interfaces and project areas.


• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc cost tracking reports.


• Set direction, expectations, and targets to foster continuous improvement and achieve cost goals.


• Foster a performance culture focused on innovation and client outcomes by holding construction managers accountable for meeting company expectations in line with the company's vision and values.


• Periodically review and identify any out-of-scope changes, documenting quantity variances based on material take-offs (MTOs). Develop a progress measurement process for payment and cost tracking regarding required scopes of work and provide regular updates.


• Review contractor and subcontractor equipment logs, time sheets, supplier invoices, and contracts to verify equipment and personnel.


• Establish project controls processes and procedures (either directly or with the project team) that conform to corporate standards and meet client reporting expectations.


• Contribute to and assist with project proposals concerning cost/schedule needs, associated time, and claims.


• Estimate quantities and costs of materials, equipment, or labor to validate project estimates, change orders, and scope changes by reviewing design drawings, sketches, calculations, or other information provided by the engineering or construction teams.

• University graduation in Civil Engineering.


• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship, preferable with residence in Oahu.


• 3-5 years or more of relevant experience in a construction environment at the field level. Demonstrated willingness to pursue a long-term career as a Cost Controller.


• Ability to work both independently and in a decentralized team environment while exhibiting excellent time management skills.


• Energy, drive, motivation, and an entrepreneurial spirit: Embrace challenges enthusiastically and execute relentlessly.


• Strong understanding and capability to analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data typical in large Projects.


• Strong work ethic, values, and integrity to satisfy the needs of end-users and other departments.


• Excellent listening skills to understand needs, offer solutions, and formulate more efficient project management and reporting approaches.


• Ability to respond promptly to the needs of colleagues and the project management team.


• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.


• Proven ability to understand complex/multi-discipline levels of project planning, scope, schedule, work breakdown structures, cost breakdown structures, etc.


• Understanding of revenue, cost, and profit analysis, including budget variance reporting.


• Knowledge of project control systems (cost and schedule budget setup).


• Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised or as part of a team.


• Proficiency in MS Suite of products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficiency with Excel, Power BI, and databases is desirable. Experience with cost and estimating programs preferred. Experience with ERP systems, estimating software, and HCSS HeavyBid would be desirable.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, motivate teams, and deliver results.