What does a senior cost engineer do?
Senior cost engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior cost engineer resumes:
- Manage retrofit projects for progressive stamping equipment.
- Develop database to enable constant efficient update and improvement of WBS structure base on addition and deletion of project scope.
- Provide WBS and integrate cost accounts with organizational structures.
- Create logistic models to identify optimal international logistics to increase profitability with improve service to customers.
- Develop and maintain documentation repository base in SharePoint.
Senior cost engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Cost Engineers are proficient in Cost Engineering, Construction Management, and Cost Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Cost Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cost Engineering, 9%
Reviewed provisions related to cost engineering and material control to develop supporting data for contract negotiations.
- Construction Management, 7%
Performed construction management services and oversight of twelve different sub-contractors who provided construction and start-up aspects of the project.
- Cost Analysis, 7%
Developed Cost Analysis Requirements Document (CARD) and cost/benefits analysis.
- Cost Models, 7%
Established the Integrated Master Program and sub-Project schedule/cost models and schedule update and monitoring processes and procedures.
- Cost Estimates, 5%
Performed bottom-up, parametric and analogy cost estimates, budgeting and forecasting for construction projects with various levels of complexity.
- Project Controls, 5%
Review and update project controls procedure documents to ensure comprehensive infrastructure for new and existing project management teams.
Common skills that a senior cost engineer uses to do their job include "cost engineering," "construction management," and "cost analysis." You can find details on the most important senior cost engineer responsibilities below.
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a senior cost engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what senior cost engineers do because "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." Additionally, a senior cost engineer resume shows how senior cost engineers use creativity: "experience in explorer and cargas in sales order, purchase orders, inventory management, and job entry. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior cost engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." According to a senior cost engineer resume, here's how senior cost engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated opportunities, improving total product cost through design changes. "
Problem-solving skills. senior cost engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior cost engineer responsibilities, because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." A senior cost engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "investigated cost reduction opportunities and implemented their solutions within a division comprised of 50 plants. "
Speaking skills. senior cost engineer responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." This resume example shows what senior cost engineers do with speaking skills on a typical day: "developed life cycle cost models and presented to office of secretary of defense cost estimating group. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for senior cost engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior cost engineers all the time, as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An excerpt from a real senior cost engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior cost engineer does: "conducted quantitative and financial analysis in order to create operational efficiencies and optimize costs across gps towers. "
Writing skills. Lastly, "writing skills" is an important element of what a senior cost engineer does. Senior cost engineer responsibilities require this skill because "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." This resume example highlights how senior cost engineer duties rely on this skill: "prepared and analyzed monthly cost data in order to support cams in writing variance explanations. "
The three companies that hire the most senior cost engineers are:
- Bechtel Corporation5 senior cost engineers jobs
- KBR2 senior cost engineers jobs
- Nike2 senior cost engineers jobs
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Compare different senior cost engineers
Senior cost engineer vs. Manufacturing engineering internship
A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure. A manufacturing engineering intern must have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior cost engineers and manufacturing engineering internship. For instance, senior cost engineer responsibilities require skills such as "cost engineering," "construction management," "cost models," and "cost estimates." Whereas a manufacturing engineering internship is skilled in "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "cad," and "solidworks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Manufacturing engineering interns really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $49,245. Comparatively, senior cost engineers tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $87,349.On average, manufacturing engineering interns reach similar levels of education than senior cost engineers. Manufacturing engineering interns are 4.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior cost engineer vs. Controls project manager
A Controls Project Manager supervises the project control of engineering and construction projects. They are responsible for estimating costs, monitoring work progress, and quality assurance.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior cost engineer responsibilities requires skills like "cost models," "cost data," "product cost," and "construction cost." But a controls project manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "project management," "risk management," "project execution," and "primavera p6."
Controls project managers may earn a higher salary than senior cost engineers, but controls project managers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $115,882. On the other hand, senior cost engineers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $87,349.In general, controls project managers achieve similar levels of education than senior cost engineers. They're 2.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior cost engineer vs. Packaging engineer
A Packaging Engineer plans and implements packaging designs to ensure product integrity and appeal. Their primary duties include supervising and managing the complete packaging development process, analyzing engineering drawings, and conducting periodic vendor reviews.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior cost engineer is likely to be skilled in "cost engineering," "construction management," "cost analysis," and "cost models," while a typical packaging engineer is skilled in "cad," "project management," "solidworks," and "astm."
Packaging engineers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $100,934. Comparatively, senior cost engineers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $87,349.Most packaging engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to senior cost engineers. For example, they're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior cost engineer vs. Production engineer
A production engineer is responsible for monitoring the production operations, ensuring everyone's adherence to safety protocols, and evaluating the staff's performance, strategizing on maximizing productivity to deliver efficient results that would drive revenues and increase profitability. Production engineers inspect the reliability of production equipment and machinery, conducting preventive maintenance, and repair inconsistencies to prevent production delays. They also identify areas of improvement with the manufacturing processes and escalate best practices for improvement. A production engineer must be knowledgeable about technological advancements and incorporate ideas to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of services.
Types of senior cost engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
