Cost Engineer Resume Guide

Cost engineers analyze the costs of projects, materials, and labor to ensure that a company is able to adhere to its budget. They use their knowledge of engineering principles as well as financial analysis techniques in order to provide cost estimates for various activities related to production.

You have the skills and experience to be a great cost engineer, but employers won’t know this unless you make it clear on your resume. To convince them of your abilities, you must craft an eye-catching document that speaks for itself.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Cost Engineer Resume Sample

Lizeth Metz
Cost Engineer

[email protected]
287-101-9262
linkedin.com/in/lizeth-metz

Summary

Committed cost engineer with 7+ years of experience in the construction industry. Proven ability to manage project costs, analyze financials and develop risk management plans for complex projects. Seeking to join ABC Construction as a cost engineer where I can use my expertise to ensure that all projects within budget while maintaining quality standards. At XYZ Corp., reduced overall project cost by 15% through effective negotiation strategies and value engineering techniques.

Experience

Cost Engineer, Employer A
Elk Grove, Jan 2018 – Present

Reported on cost and budget information for many large-scale construction projects, providing accurate data to inform decision-making processes and reduce risks.
Assessed potential costs of new projects and identified areas where savings could be made, resulting in a total reduction of 18% on manufacturing expenses over the last year.
Advised senior stakeholders on various strategies to control labor & material costs while ensuring quality standards were maintained; successfully implemented an optimized inventory management system that increased efficiency by 15%.
Improved forecasting accuracy by 40%, allowing better anticipation of materials needs, scheduling conflicts and other project changes throughout all stages of development.
Successfully led team collaboration efforts between engineering staff members to develop alternative design solutions with reduced overall lifecycle costing; reduced project timeline from 6 weeks down to 4 weeks without compromising product performance or quality levels.

Cost Engineer, Employer B
Alexandria, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Compiled and analyzed cost data of over $2.5 million for various construction projects, ensuring that costs remained within the agreed-upon budget limits and recommending solutions to reduce project expenses by 10%.
Reconciled invoices and other financial documents with contractors on a regular basis, helping to identify discrepancies in billings promptly; saved an average of $30K per quarter through effective reconciliation processes.
Efficiently managed the process of obtaining quotes from vendors for materials needed for each project, negotiated prices with suppliers where possible, and sourced alternative lower priced options when available; reduced overall production costs by 25% or more in certain cases.
Represented clients at key meetings concerning budgets & contracts regarding all current & future activities throughout the duration of their projects; identified potential risks associated with cost estimates before they occurred while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders involved in these initiatives as well as external providers/vendors employed during these periods.
Revised capital expenditure forecasts regularly based on changing market conditions and client needs while adhering strictly to budgetary constraints set forth initially; successfully delivered 8+ projects under budget without compromising quality standards each year since joining this position 2 years ago.

Skills

Engineering
Project Planning
Contract Management
Project Control
Cost Engineering
Project Estimation
Procurement
Project Engineering
Construction Management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Cost Engineer (CCE)
Association for the Advance
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary/objective for a cost engineer should be written to capture the attention of potential employers. In this section, you can highlight your experience in budgeting and forecasting, as well as any certifications or qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the job. You could also mention how many years of experience you have with cost engineering and how it has enabled you to develop strong analytical skills.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Well-rounded cost engineer with 10+ years of experience in cost estimating, project management, and budgeting. Proven track record in delivering projects within scope and on time while managing costs effectively. At XYZ Corporation, saved an estimated $8 million by actively monitoring the progress of each project to ensure timely completion at the lowest possible cost. Skilled problem solver who excels at utilizing data-driven analysis for efficient decision making.

Proficient cost engineer with 10+ years of experience in cost analysis, project planning and execution. Proven track record of successful budget management and adherence to timeline deadlines within the construction industry. Adept at identifying potential risks while monitoring projects for efficient use of resources. Seeking a role as Cost Engineer at ABC Construction where I can utilize my expertise to help achieve company goals efficiently and effectively.

Reliable cost engineer with 6+ years of experience in the construction industry. Adept at cost estimating, project management, and creating financial models to support business decisions. At XYZ Corp., managed a total of 16 projects simultaneously while ensuring that all deadlines were met on time and within budget. Experienced in performing research into current market prices for materials and labor to ensure accuracy when preparing estimates.

Seasoned cost engineer with 5+ years of experience in managing cost engineering projects and developing innovative solutions to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Proven record of success in reducing production costs by 15% while maintaining quality standards. Highly organized, analytical thinker looking for a challenging role at ABC where I can utilize my skills to help the organization reach its financial goals.

Dependable cost engineer with 5+ years of experience in cost estimating, planning and control. Proven track record for delivering accurate estimates according to the latest standards and procedures. At XYZ Company, developed a cost-effective system that reduced costs by 25% over 2 years while maintaining quality assurance. Experienced in working with all types of construction projects from residential to commercial sites.

Passionate cost engineer with 10+ years of experience in cost estimating, budgeting and analysis. Strong technical background in engineering principles, project management and procurement processes. Proven track record of successfully completing projects under time pressures while meeting deadlines. Seeking to bring my expertise to ABC Company and help deliver successful projects on-time and within budget.

Talented cost engineer with 10+ years of experience in cost estimating and project management. Proven record of success in developing accurate estimates for complex projects, including facility construction and equipment purchases. Experienced at forecasting budget requirements, monitoring progress against plans, and controlling costs to ensure successful completion within the allotted timeline.

Accomplished cost engineer with 5+ years of experience driving cost savings initiatives across multiple industries. Experienced in evaluating contract bids and managing projects through the entire life cycle to ensure on-time, within budget delivery. Seeking to join ABC Company as a Cost Engineer to help optimize their engineering processes and reduce costs.

2. Experience / Employment

For the experience section, you’ll want to list your past jobs in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job should be listed first.

Stick to bullet points, as this makes it easier for the reader to quickly take in what you have written. When writing each point, make sure that you provide detail and include quantifiable results where possible.

For example, instead of saying “Assisted with cost estimating,” try something like “Developed detailed estimates for five projects over a two-year period; achieved an average accuracy rate of 93%, resulting in savings totaling $2 million.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Estimated
Analyzed
Forecasted
Monitored
Controlled
Budgeted
Negotiated
Audited
Optimized
Allocated
Calculated
Validated
Assessed
Reported
Reconciled

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Calculated and tracked project costs for over 15 construction projects, analyzing expenses and ensuring budget adherence; successfully reduced total cost by 8% compared to the initial estimate.
Audited and reviewed bidding documents, contracts and subcontracts for accuracy in alignment with company policies; identified potential areas of risk or overruns that could affect the bottom line.
Presented detailed monthly reports on capital expenditures and labor hours to senior management while making sure all accounting records were accurate, up-to-date and compliant with GAAP standards.
Consistently monitored fluctuations in material prices across different vendors as well as any applicable taxes & duties related to imports/exports; achieved savings of $1M through price negotiations alone this past year.
Utilized specialized engineering software such as Primavera P6 & MS Project along with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to analyze data trends, develop forecasting models and generate timely cost estimates for future projects upon request from clients.

Thoroughly analyzed and evaluated cost data, identified potential savings of $25K over a two-month period, and prepared accurate estimates for new projects.
Structured detailed project plans to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards; successfully reduced yearly budget by 10%.
Optimized processes through the implementation of innovative cost engineering strategies that increased productivity by 20% within six months.
Prepared comprehensive reports on labor costs, material expenses, subcontractor pricing and other relevant financial information based on current market conditions.
Facilitated negotiations with vendors to secure discounts in bulk purchases and save an additional $15K annually in operational expenditures.

Diligently analyzed cost estimations, budgets and proposals for engineering projects to ensure accuracy with a margin of error no greater than 2%.
Achieved savings on 10+ engineering projects by negotiating better project costs from vendors and suppliers.
Spearheaded the implementation of new budget management software which increased efficiency by 25% within 6 months.
Developed sophisticated cost models for estimating labor costs, materials expenses and other overhead associated with large-scale engineering projects; reduced estimation timeframe from 4 weeks to 1 week per project on average.
Mentored junior engineers in understanding complex financial concepts related to costing out capital investments, resulting in an increase of 20% in overall productivity over 3 quarters.

Monitored and tracked costs of over 25 construction projects in various stages, achieving a reduction of total expenditure by 10% with improved budget forecasting.
Analyzed site plans, specs and BOMs to accurately estimate project budgets before commencement; identified potential cost overruns and negotiated solutions for suppliers & subcontractors on all contracts.
Reliably managed the distribution of materials while ensuring that quality standards were met at all times; decreased material waste by 15%.
Streamlined invoice processing system through automation and optimized vendor management practices to reduce payment cycle time from 45 to 30 days per transaction.
Formulated detailed reports outlining scope modifications, labor scheduling changes & budget variations as needed throughout each project phase; updated stakeholders regularly on progress made against set objectives/KPIs.

Proficiently estimated project costs, budgeted resources and tracked expenditure to ensure that projects stayed within allocated budgets; saved $10K in the last quarter by accurately forecasting cost overruns.
Participated in product design meetings with stakeholders and suppliers to estimate future production costs; reduced raw material expenses by 20% through efficient resource planning.
Controlled labor and subcontractor work hours, ensuring accuracy of billable time for both internal employees and third-party contractors; lowered administrative overhead cost by 33%.
Demonstrated strong analytical skills when auditing contracts & invoices from vendors, identifying discrepancies which resulted in a savings of 5%.
Developed various models for capital investment decisions, analyzing potential risks & benefits associated with new initiatives before committing funds; increased ROI on investments by 25%.

Expedited cost engineering processes and procedures, increasing efficiency by 25% and reducing project completion time by 3 weeks.
Reorganized cost control systems for 5 projects, resulting in a $15,000 decrease in overhead expenses and improved resource allocation accuracy by 22%.
Reduced labor costs on 2 major construction projects through effective negotiations with contractors; saved an estimated total of $30,000.
Negotiated contracts with suppliers to lower material prices on 4 projects while maintaining quality standards; achieved savings of up to 10%.
Independently completed 20+ weekly cost reports accurately within tight deadlines using advanced Excel formulas & budgeting techniques; minimized errors rate from 8% to 1%.

Coordinated the budgeting and cost estimation of 10+ projects with a total value of over $2 million, ensuring that all spending decisions were in line with corporate objectives.
Validated the accuracy and completeness of project documents such as contracts, budgets, estimates and change orders to ensure their validity before invoicing clients; reduced erroneous invoice payments by 15%.
Substantially improved efficiency by streamlining existing processes through the introduction of automated tools & techniques; cut overrun costs on large-scale projects by 25% within 6 months.
Allocated financial resources for purchasing materials and equipment needed for construction sites while also monitoring vendor performance against agreed terms & conditions; saved up to 5% in annual procurement costs without compromising on quality standards or delivery timelines.
Introduced innovative approaches to risk management which enabled accurate forecasting of potential additional expenses associated with new projects; minimized unplanned expenditures from unforeseen events by 55%.

3. Skills

Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may require a cost engineer to be proficient in project management software such as Microsoft Project, while Organization XYZ may prefer knowledge of Primavera.

It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume for each job you apply for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

Once listed here, you can further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it in more detail in other areas, such as the summary or experience section.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Accounting
Analysis
AutoCAD
Automotive
Change Management
Change Orders
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Continuous Improvement
Contract Management
Contract Negotiation
Cost Control
Cost Engineering
Cost Management
Data Analysis
EPC
Earned Value Management
Energy
Engineering
Financial Analysis
Forecasting
Gas
Lean Manufacturing
MATLAB
MS Project
Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
Microsoft Project
Oil and Gas
Onshore
Petrochemical
Petroleum
Pipelines
Primavera P6
Process Improvement
Procurement
Program Management
Project Control
Project Engineering
Project Estimation
Project Planning
SAP
Six Sigma
Subcontracting
Team Leadership
Teamwork
Time Management
Value Engineering

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, mention your education below the resume objective. However, if you have extensive work experience to showcase, it may be best to omit an education section altogether.

If including an educational background is necessary for this cost engineer position, try to list courses relevant to the job such as engineering mathematics or economics related classes that could prove helpful when managing costs of a project.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for a certain job. They also show that you are committed to your profession and willing to invest in yourself by taking courses or exams related to it.

Including certifications on your resume can be beneficial if they relate directly to the position you’re applying for, as this will demonstrate how qualified you are for the role. It’s important, however, not just list them without any context; include details such as when and where each certification was obtained so hiring managers can get a better understanding of what it is and why it matters.

Certified Cost Engineer (CCE)
Association for the Advance
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Lizeth Metz, this would be Lizeth-Metz-resume.pdf or Lizeth-Metz-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Cover letters are a great way to highlight your skills and experience, express why you are the right candidate for the job, and stand out from other applicants. Generally made up of 2-4 paragraphs in length, they should be tailored to fit each role that you apply for.

Cover letters are not always required but writing one is highly recommended as it gives potential employers an opportunity to get to know more about who you are and what makes you suitable for the position. They provide recruiters with additional insights into your qualifications beyond what they can find on your resume alone.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Holden,

I am writing to apply for the position of Cost Engineer at ABC Corporation. I am a civil engineer with 10 years of experience in construction project management. In my current role, I manage all aspects of construction projects, from budgeting and scheduling to quality control and safety compliance. I have a proven track record of successful project delivery within budget and on schedule.

I am confident that I can bring this same level of success to your organization as Cost Engineer. In this role, I would be responsible for estimating costs for new construction projects, developing cost-saving strategies, and overseeing the progress of ongoing projects to ensure they stay on budget. My experience in both civil engineering and project management makes me uniquely qualified for this position.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your organization further during an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lizeth