Contracts and Claims Specialist

About the Positions 

We’re seeking Contracts and Claims Specialists at various levels to support large, heavy-civil infrastructure programs—including highways, roads, bridges, transit (including rail and bus), and airport projects delivered through both traditional and alternative methods. You’ll safeguard the owner’s commercial interests, steer change order negotiations, and resolve claims in ways that keep budgets protected and project momentum intact.  

This posting is for future roles and not for a specific opportunity that is available right now. We accept applications and conduct interviews in advance of upcoming hiring needs. When a candidate is selected, their profile is activated in our talent pool for this specialty area. We notify our talent pool candidates first whenever we have a project need. This posting targets Los Angeles, CA.   

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Develop and implement contract and/or commercial-management strategies across DBB, DB, CM/GC, and P3 delivery models. 
• Lead and/or support the end-to-end change-management and claims process—from entitlement review through negotiation, settlement, or formal dispute resolution. 
• Draft, review, and negotiate contract amendments, change orders, and service agreements in alignment with FAR, FIDIC, or state statutory frameworks. 
• Coordinate with project controls, schedulers, estimators, and legal counsel to quantify cost-and-time impacts and maintain an auditable change and claims log. 
• Prepare risk exposure analyses and executive briefings that connect commercial issues to contingency, schedule float, and program KPIs. 
• Represent the owner in mediation, arbitration, or litigation; manage outside counsel and expert consultants as required. 
• Coach project teams on contract-compliance and claims-avoidance best practices, embedding lessons learned into future procurement documents.  

Attributes 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. You are a persuasive communicator and skilled negotiator who builds trust across technical, legal, and executive audiences. 
• Excellent multitasking and organizational skills. 
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate schedule and cost data into actionable commercial strategies. 
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships and thrives in multidiscipline, owner-representative environments. 
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.   
• 5+ years of hands-on contracts, change order, or claims management experience on heavy-civil infrastructure programs. 
• Experience with alternative delivery methods (e.g., DB, CM/GC, P3) and associated risk-allocation mechanisms. 
• Demonstrated success administering and negotiating complex civil works contracts as an owner’s representative or in a role protecting client interests. 
• Ability to interpret design documents, schedules, cost reports, and commercial terms to build clear entitlement narratives and quantum analyses.  
• Proficiency with industry standard project management software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.). 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, etc.). 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, LLM, or MBA) with construction law emphasis. 
• Active professional certifications such as CCM (CMAA), MRICS/FRICS (RICS), PMP (PMI), or CCA (AACE). 
• Experience with large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects that include highways, roads, bridges, transit (including rail and bus), and/or airport projects. 
• Prior success steering claims through mediation, DRB, or litigation. 
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software. 

Compensation Details 

The salary range listed for this role is $90k-$125k/year ($43-$60/hour). The final salary offered will be based on multiple factors and thoughtfully aligned with each candidate’s level of experience, breadth of skills, total education achieved, certifications/licenses that have been obtained, etc. 

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer! 

• Unlimited flexible time off  
• Paid holidays  
• Paid parental leave  
• Health, dental, and vision insurance  
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)  
• Long-term disability insurance  
• Short-term disability insurance  
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment 
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution  
• Formal career planning and development program  
• $2,500 annually toward professional development  
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend  
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement  
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian  
• Free personal financial planning services  
• Employee assistance program  
• Employee discounts  
• Employee referral bonus 
• Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer. 

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.