Senior Cost Specialist - Mechanical & Electrical

About us:
Since 2011 Dokainish & Company has been providing world class professional consultancy services.
We specialize in working diligently and collaboratively with our clients to achieve long-lasting and impactful results across numerous business functions. Our areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, Project Controls, Project Management, Quantitative Risk Analysis, Organizational Change Management, Enterprise Reporting, Estimating, Asset Management, and System Implementation for Capital Projects. We draw upon decades of project experience to deliver customized solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges. 

Position Overview

Dokainish & Company is seeking a Senior Cost Specialist - Mechanical & Electrical to provide expert cost management consulting services focused on mechanical, electrical, and specialized building systems within a national science and research facility renewal program.
This role is critical to ensuring cost transparency and financial control across complex building systems, including HVAC, electrical distribution, building automation and controls, plumbing, fire protection, and specialized laboratory systems. The successful candidate will deliver cost planning, cost validation, lifecycle costing, and financial oversight services, working closely with engineering teams and program leadership to ensure cost certainty and value for money.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning and Estimating

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for mechanical and electrical systems across all project phases (Class D through Class A)
• Develop elemental cost plans, quantity take-offs, and cost breakdown structures for MEP and specialized building systems
• Support budgeting, cost planning, and lifecycle cost analysis for building systems with complex operational requirements
• Provide expert cost advice during design development, identifying cost risks and optimization opportunities
• Validate MEP design assumptions against cost benchmarks and provide value engineering recommendations

Cost Control and Commercial Management

• Review and validate contractor pricing, bids, claims, and change orders for mechanical and electrical scope
• Monitor cost performance against approved budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions
• Provide independent cost assurance and financial oversight for MEP systems
• Support procurement processes including bid evaluation and financial analysis for MEP packages

Program Support and Reporting

• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, cash flow projections, and executive summaries related to MEP systems
• Maintain cost databases, benchmarking libraries, and historical cost data for mechanical and electrical systems
• Support governance reviews, funding approvals, and program-level reporting requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement of cost management processes for building systems

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineering teams, design consultants, and program leadership
• Provide cost advisory support to inform design decisions, procurement strategies, and investment planning
• Communicate complex MEP cost information clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Key Deliverables

• Mechanical and electrical cost estimates and elemental cost plans
• Cost forecasts, variance reports, and trend analyses for MEP systems
• Bid evaluations and procurement cost analyses
• Lifecycle cost analysis reports
• Cost benchmarking and analysis reports
• Executive-level MEP cost summaries

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a closely related discipline

Certifications/ Other

• CIQS designation (Professional Quantity Surveyor, PQS) - Required
• Additional certifications (e.g., AACE, RICS, P.Eng.) considered an asset
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain Federal Government Reliability Status security clearance

Experience

• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive cost consulting experience with a focus on mechanical and electrical systems
• Demonstrated experience with complex building systems in institutional, laboratory, healthcare, or specialized technical environments
• Experience supporting large capital programs or multi-project portfolio environments
• Full project lifecycle experience, from planning and design through construction and commissioning

Language

• Fluency in French (written and verbal) is strongly preferred
• Full professional proficiency in English is required

Technical Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of MEP systems, including HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, fire protection, controls, and specialized laboratory systems
• Expert-level cost estimating and cost planning skills for mechanical and electrical scope
• Proficiency with industry cost estimating software and advanced Microsoft Excel
• Familiarity with lifecycle costing methodologies and building system performance analysis

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical, financial, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities within complex program environments
• High degree of professional integrity and commitment to quality

 

Note: This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or qualifications required. 

If you believe your skillset, drive, qualifications, and experience is a match, we welcome your application and can’t wait to hear from you.

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining Dokainish & Company. Please note only those candidates considered for an initial interview will be contacted. 

Notes:
VACANCY STATUS: This posting is for a new position.
AI USAGE: This organization does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this particular open position. All applications are personally reviewed by our Talent Acquisition Team.

 

Dokainish & Company is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age and veteran status, or any other protected status required by applicable law.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and Dokainish & Company AODA Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.