Senior Cost Estimator - Panama

Industry

Water

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

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.

Here's what you'll need

• 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.

#LI-DL1

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

155,600.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

204,500.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $155,600.00 to $204,500.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 14, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .