Cost Controls Specialist

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is providing PM/CM services for the Los Angeles World Airports ATMP Landside Improvements Project. The project will deliver critical improvements to the roadways, streets, and thoroughfares in and around the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) campus. HDR will assist with the management of projects throughout the design, preconstruction, and construction phases, from inception to closeout. HDR is proud to lead a strong team of world-class professionals to sculpt this project that is a key part of the infrastructure transformation ahead of the 2028 Olympics and will serve millions of travelers and Angelenos for decades to come.

The Cost Controls Specialist a crucial role in the financial management of engineering projects. They are responsible for estimating project costs, analyzing cost data, and ensuring that projects are completed within budget constraints. This role requires a detailed understanding of engineering principles, project management, and financial analysis.

In the role of Cost Control Specialist we'll count on you to:

• Monitor project budgets for the multi-billion-dollar Capital Improvement Program at Los Angeles World Airports.
• Review and analyze sub-contractor invoices, ensuring expenditures are accurately incurred against appropriate Schedule of Values accounts
• Prepares job costing reports to allocate these expenditures against the appropriate WBS numbers. Ensure that both commitments and expenditures follow the same allocation methodology.
• Perform cost-to-complete analysis for all cost elements within a project taking into consideration staffing plans, contract commitments, and expenditures to date, change orders and trends.
• Attend project meetings to provide Project Management with current financial information and trend log regarding potential impacts to project budget or forecast.
• Provide progress reporting documents and briefing materials as required. Develop creative reporting tools to communicate complex project sequencing and/or progress assessments.
• Review task orders for contractors, sub-consultants, and City of Los Angeles Interdepartmental Orders to ensure necessary budget and/or contract capacity exists.
• Analyze bid award values against current budget and prepare reconciliations to include in the current forecast at completion.
• Analyze change order values against current contingency budget and prepare reconciliations to include in the current forecast at completion.
• Analyze task order values against current allowance budget and prepare reconciliations to include in the current forecast at completion.
• PMWeb - Update contract commitments, reconcile and analyze actual expenditures, perform budget transfers, monitor trend status and maintain continuity of WBS structure
• Perform Project closeout resourcefully to ensure PMWeb Data is complete for LAWA's reporting needs
• Prepare data to support documentation required journal vouchers for budget transfers

Keywords: cost control specialist, cost engineer, Certified Cost Professional, CCP,

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in cost estimation, project management, or financial analysis
• Professional certifications such as Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or similar will be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment..
• Knowledge of financial principles and budgeting practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in cost management for construction projects
• Proficient with MS Office, especially Excel
• Familiar with Microsoft Project, cost estimating and control software and PMIS experience
• Must have good organizational and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Ability to handle multiple, diverse assignments
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) $82,000 - $135,000

Primary Location:
United States-California-Los Angeles

Industry:
Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build

Schedule:
Full-time

Employee Status:
Regular

BusinessClass:
Project Controls

Job Posting:
Aug 11, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer ). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.