Cost Manager at AECOM in San Diego, CA

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an experienced Cost Manager to support large-scale federal programs and capital infrastructure projects. This role will be responsible for leading project controls and cost management functions across complex programs, ensuring successful delivery through effective cost tracking, forecasting, change management, performance monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder coordination. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in federal project environments, program controls, capital planning, scheduling integration, and financial performance management. This position can be located in several cities, including: Robles Junction, AZ; Sonoita, AZ; Casa Grande, AZ; Indio, CA; and San Diego, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee cost management and project controls activities for complex federal programs and capital projects.
• Partner with Program Managers to develop, implement, and manage program controls strategies, processes, and delivery objectives.
• Manage and coordinate cost management services including capital cost tracking, program services cost management, funding oversight, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Lead and supervise project controls personnel and sub-task managers responsible for delivering program control services.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal clients, stakeholders, project teams, and funding agencies.
• Monitor program and project financial performance, ensuring alignment with approved budgets, forecasts, and contractual requirements.
• Develop and implement cost control procedures, reporting standards, and performance measurement methodologies.
• Evaluate project performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide guidance and corrective action recommendations when project performance deviates from established objectives.
• Support change management and scope control processes, including evaluation of potential impacts to cost, schedule, and project execution.
• Review and analyze project controls data from project management information systems and other automated reporting tools.
• Lead root cause analyses and stage-gate reviews to assess project performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Coordinate issue resolution activities and facilitate communication across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support the integration of cost management, scheduling, resource planning, risk management, and performance reporting functions.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives through technology adoption, innovation, standardization of work processes, and enhancement of project controls tools.
• Provide leadership in the development and maintenance of program controls best practices and quality standards.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of cost management, project controls, or program controls experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of cost management, project controls, or program controls experience supporting large-scale federal projects and programs.
• Experience serving as the lead cost manager or project controls lead on large, complex infrastructure, transportation, environmental, water, energy, or facilities programs.
• Advanced knowledge of earned value management (EVM), cost forecasting, budgeting, risk analysis, and performance measurement techniques.
• Expertise in project scheduling principles, critical path methodology, resource loading, and schedule analysis.
• Experience utilizing Project Management Information Systems (PMIS), cost management software, and enterprise reporting platforms.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP), or similar credentials.
• Strong leadership, client management, communication, and team development skills with a demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary project controls teams.

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is not available for this position

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.