Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:
- Advance Airport Development
- Transform the Customer Experience
- Optimize Ongoing Business
- Cultivate Our Culture
Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.
Why You'll Love Working at SAN:
- Location: Project Management Complex, located on the San Diego International Airport campus. Work alongside with our Construction JV partners on the waterfront, providing stunning views of San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline. Regular visits to new and ongoing construction sites throughout Airport campus.
- Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department
- Salary: The hiring salary range for the Cost Analyst is $81,287 to $90,319. The full pay range for the Cost Analyst is $69,476 to $111,162
- Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 - 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
- Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails
- Application Deadline: February 9, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date
About the Job:
The Airport Design & Construction (ADC) Department is looking for a Cost Analyst with a strong foundation in analytical experience and a focus on driving process efficiencies to support impactful construction projects. This role is essential in ensuring accurate cost analysis and financial control for major capital and maintenance initiatives at the San Diego International Airport.
The selected candidate will work closely with project managers to perform detailed and specialized cost and project analysis, financial forecasts, and prepare comprehensive records and reports. This position offers the opportunity to make processes more efficient, collaborate across teams, and leave a tangible mark on the success of key construction projects.
What You'll Do:
- Provides analysis, review and reconciliation of contractor and consultant pay applications against contracts/agreements and department policies and procedures. Identifies discrepancies for project managers; coordinates approval of certified payrolls and safety compliance. Reviews, analyzes, evaluates, updates, generates and distributes project cost reports, records and specialized spreadsheets; reviews reports for accuracy and appropriate cost allocations. Identifies and provides supporting data to resolve discrepancies or issues
- Manage, validate, and review progress invoices, understand Design-Bid-Build (DBB) and Design-Build (DB) schedules of value (SOV), base contract amounts, change orders, allowances, and contingencies. Ensures the cost validation process of progress invoices for contractors and consultants are in accordance with the contract and agreement. Able to follow standard cost management procedures and guidelines and basic contracting principles
- Process contractors change order requests, coordinate with the capital project managers regarding the requirements for bundling of change order requests. Monitor board-approved percentages and amounts for change orders, ensuring they align with approved limits and timelines. Collaborate with Procurement to synchronize change order approvals with monthly progress invoices, ensure approval in the systems are completed in a timely manner to align with payment deadlines
- Coordinates with project teams during the onboarding of contractors on CIP projects to ensure procedures are followed and in accordance with contract terms and conditions. Writes cost management procedures and prepares slide decks to present the cost management of construction contract to the group. Acts as a liaison between the Authority and general contractors, ensuring the timely processing and approval of progress invoices, release of retainage and contractor change orders
- Understands contract language related to payment terms, special conditions, and key terminologies for DBB and DB contracts. Manage contract requisitions, task authorizations, commitments, and amendments
- Knowledge of Microsoft Application, PMIS system (PMWeb), Bluebeam Revu, and Adobesign. Experience in processing PMWeb progress invoices, change orders, encumbrance releases, task authorizations, amendments, and assist in rectifying systems integration errors. Able to utilize Bluebeam Revu for review of construction progress invoices
- Preparation of monthly project accruals, journal entry processing, project reconciliation, and reclassification of costs. Liaison to Accounting team in support of year-end closing requirements and accounting audit
- Provides financial control of on-call consultant agreements, including encumbering agreement- specific task level notices to proceed, transferring amounts to project-specific cost groups
- Assist Senior Cost Analyst in preparation of project close-out reconciliations; performs cost variance and other analyses. Collaborate with project management team in rectifying the cost errors in the system to reconcile final project cost
The Skills You Need:
- Process Knowledge: Understanding of principles, methods and techniques of budget development, cost accounting and financial analysis.
- Project Management Skills: Understanding of project scope, budget and timeline and ability to assess required process steps and resources needed to achieve defined outcomes and objectives.
- Critical Evaluation: Analyzes and translates business requirements, data and information to specify solutions or alternative practices in support of business objectives and strategies; identifies optimal solutions.
- Relationship Skills: Collaborates and facilitates relations with stakeholders, identifies and relates information, ideas and resolves problems, champions initiatives and ideas.
- Communication: Effectively exchanges information through various avenues including verbal, digital and written format; organizes and shares information clearly and concisely; facilitates and persuades.
- Leveraging Technology: Effective use of electronic information and associated systems.
Requirements
The Experience You Need to Have**:
- Three years of progressively responsible professional cost analysis experience, preferably for large-scale construction projects
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in engineering, business administration, finance, accounting or closely related field.
- Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements :
- Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
- Certified Cost Engineer, Certified Cost Consultant, or Certified Public Accountant.
- Master's degree in engineering, business administration, finance, accounting, or a closely related field
- Don't meet every requirement? That's okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don't—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it's not the right fit, we'll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.
