Cost Estimation and Specification Specialist

Job Description

Michael Baker is seeking an experienced Cost Estimation and Specification Specialist to support planning, design, and construction phases across a diverse portfolio of capital improvement projects. This role will prepare accurate cost estimates, specifications, budgets, and risk analyses for civil infrastructure, vertical, and facility improvement projects, including roadway, utility, building, and transportation work.

What You'll Do:

• Develop detailed cost estimates for civil, infrastructure, and facility projects, including roadway, utilities, buildings, and transportation-related improvements.
• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction-level cost estimates.
• Analyze plans/specs to identify risks, assumptions, and cost drivers
• Draft and review technical specifications and standards
• Produce specifications that ensure transportation designs, materials, and operations comply with federal and state regulations, optimize supply chain efficiency, and minimize delivery or construction costs.
• Perform quantity take-offs, unit pricing and cost benchmarking
• Support value engineering and cost optimization efforts throughout project development
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, designers, and clients
• Prepare cost reports, cash flow projections, and cost variance analyses.
• Assist with bid evaluations, contractor pricing reviews, and change order assessments.
• Maintain estimating databases and benchmark cost data across infrastructure and facility projects.
• Support compliance with project-specific funding or regulatory requirements, as applicable.

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of cost estimating and specification experience for civil, infrastructure, utility, roadway, or vertical construction projects
• Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or ability to obtain certification
• Working knowledge of standard specifications, phasing considerations, and operational constraints for NY/NJ (NJDOT, NJTA, NYSDOT, etc.)
• Proficiency with estimating software and tools (e.g., Excel, Sage, RSMeans, or similar platforms)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $85,000-$110,000. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

About Us:

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity. Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction.

We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous. We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference. Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender,…