Senior Cost Estimator - Panama

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to support the Panama pursuit and provide cost, commercial, and project controls expertise to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

This role will support the review, development, monitoring, and control of project costs throughout the bid, design, construction, and contract administration phases. The successful candidate will bring strong experience in cost estimating, forecasting, change management, claims analysis, and the integration of cost and schedule data for complex infrastructure or construction programs. As a Senior Cost Estimator, you will assist and advise the ACP on cost management activities associated with the RIR Contract.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Advise the ACP on contingency development, budget documentation, and resource allocation requirements during the bid stage.

• Review and assess bid documents for budget development, productivity evaluation, and cost-loading methodologies.

• Track project-level cost, schedule, and budget requirements for assigned construction activities while coordinating with project-level controls personnel.

• Develop, maintain, and monitor budgets, cost estimates, historical and prospective cash flows, and cost-trend analyses.

• Establish a systematic approach to tracking critical project issues to maintain budgetary control and minimize the risk of cost overruns.

• Review cash-flow analyses and identify recommended financial commitments for ACP approval, as required.

• Assist the ACP in reviewing cost estimates for conceptual design, potential variations, value engineering, and other cost-related documentation required under the RIR Contract.

• Evaluate estimating assumptions, pricing strategies, constructability, cost reasonableness, and change-order proposals.

• Assist with the development and review of resource-loaded work breakdown structures and cost breakdown structures required during the bid stage.

• Provide specialized expertise in the valuation of claims, including cost analysis, forensic accounting, and quantum assessment.

• Apply recognized, traceable, and consistent methodologies suitable for contractual negotiations and dispute-resolution proceedings.

• Support the evaluation and quantification of cost impacts resulting from changes, variations, delays, and claims.

• Participate in cost-related dispute analysis, negotiations, and resolution activities.

• Assist with cost-risk analysis and forecasting, including the identification of uncertainties and development of risk-informed cost projections.

• Support the integration of cost and schedule data, including earned value analysis and performance monitoring.

• Assist in reviewing applications for payment to confirm alignment with validated progress and applicable contractual provisions.

• Perform forensic and detailed cost reviews, including validation of cost components, source data, and supporting records.

• Conduct structured benchmarking of cost estimates and pricing elements against industry data and comparable projects.

• Prepare clear, well-supported cost reports, analyses, recommendations, and other documentation for client and project leadership review.

• Collaborate with commercial, scheduling, contracts, engineering, construction, and project management professionals to support effective project controls.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, quantity surveying, finance, accounting, project controls, or a related field.

• Typically, 12 or more years of relevant experience in cost estimating, project controls, commercial management, construction management, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience supporting major infrastructure, engineering, procurement, or construction programs.

• Strong knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow analysis, cost trending, and change management.

• Experience with claims evaluation, quantum assessment, forensic cost analysis, or dispute-resolution support.

• Experience integrating cost and schedule data and applying earned value management principles.

• Ability to review and interpret contracts, bid documents, schedules, payment applications, estimates, change orders, and supporting cost records.

• Strong understanding of work breakdown structures, cost breakdown structures, resource-loaded schedules, and cost-loading methodologies.

• Experience benchmarking estimates and pricing against industry data, historical performance, and comparable projects.

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to organize, document, and present complex cost information clearly and objectively.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other cost-estimating, project-controls, or financial-management tools.

• Professional certification such as AACE, CCP, CEP, MRICS, PMP, or equivalent is preferred.

• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural, international project environment and support client-facing assignments in Panama.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience working with government agencies, public-sector clients, or owner organizations.

• Experience supporting large, complex, or international infrastructure programs.

• Knowledge of contractual cost-management practices, dispute resolution, and recognized industry standards.

• Experience with cost-loaded schedules, earned value reporting, and integrated project controls systems.

• Experience working in Panama or Latin America.

• Familiarity with FIDIC or other international forms of contract.

Why Jacobs

At Jacobs, you’ll work with a talented and diverse team delivering innovative solutions to some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges. You’ll have the opportunity to support a high-profile international pursuit, advise a significant public-sector client, and contribute your expertise to projects with lasting impact in Panama and beyond.

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Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.