Cost Control Engineer - Mechanical Construction

At JH Kelly, we’re hiring a Cost Control Engineer to join our mechanical construction team in Boise, working on a high-profile project. This isn’t a back-office number-crunching role—it’s for a problem-solver who thrives on delivering real-time cost intelligence to keep field teams and leadership aligned. If you’re an Excel wizard, a Power BI enthusiast, and someone who instinctively builds better systems to drive project success, this is your chance to be a game-changer.

About Us
Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family-owned construction powerhouse with a legacy of tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader driven by an award-winning team known for safety, quality, and a tight-knit, dynamic culture. Want to dive into our story? Visit  .

Who We’re Looking For
You’re a highly motivated, process-driven professional who loves turning complex data into clear, actionable insights. You’re proficient in Excel, Power BI, and CPM scheduling, with a curiosity to keep learning and optimizing. You’re professional yet grounded, earning credibility with both field crews and project leadership through accuracy and urgency. If you’re passionate about construction, wired to leverage digital tools, and driven to make your PM’s day easier with insights delivered when they matter most, you’re the kind of problem-solver we need.

What You’ll Do
As our Cost Control Engineer, you’ll be the central hub for project cost intelligence, linking cost, schedule, scope, and production to drive real-time decisions. Working closely with the Senior Project Manager, you’ll use tools like Power BI, Excel, and Primavera P6 to deliver clarity and impact. This role is about analysis, automation, and collaboration.

Pay Range
Salary range: $35–$60 per hour, based on experience and qualifications. (Non-Exempt)

Here’s what you’ll tackle:

• Cost & Progress Tracking
  • Aggregate and analyze cost data, earned quantities, and schedule curves from multiple systems to provide a clear picture of project performance.
  • Update and maintain budgets in the ERP system, incorporating changes from change orders (CORs), purchase orders (POs), and subcontracts.
  • Support the Project Manager in building accurate monthly cost forecasts and validating cost-to-complete reports.
  • Ensure financial data is precise, timely, and aligned with project realities.

• Schedule & Resource Alignment
  • Cross-reference CPM schedules, pull plans, and manpower plans to ensure alignment with actual field progress.
  • Support resource-loaded schedule development by aggregating and applying unit rate data to model extractions.
  • Analyze the impact of design changes or field adjustments on cost, time, and productivity curves.
  • Keep schedules and resources in sync to prevent bottlenecks and drive efficiency.

• Vendor & Subcontractor Coordination
  • Review and validate vendor and subcontractor invoices against actual progress and field reports for accuracy.
  • Track purchase orders and subcontract change orders, ensuring timely and accurate reconciliation.
  • Maintain clear communication with vendors and subcontractors to support smooth financial workflows.

• Reporting & Automation
  • Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and data models for cost, productivity, and earned value tracking, iterating based on field and leadership feedback.
  • Enhance reporting workflows using Excel (Power Query/DAX), Power BI, Stratus, Bluebeam, and Revizto to deliver clear, actionable insights.
  • Continuously optimize cost control systems by integrating data sources, automating workflows, and experimenting with innovative ways to improve efficiency.
  • Explore concepts like gamification or decision science to make data more engaging for field teams.

• Experience: 5+ years in mechanical or industrial construction cost control, project engineering, or project management.
• Skills:High proficiency in Excel (including Power Query and DAX), Bluebeam, and Power BI; strong understanding of CPM scheduling and Primavera P6; familiarity with ERP systems…