Cost Control Specialist

P&E Constructors is an employee-owned (ESOP) mechanical and electrical construction firm executing large capital projects with deep roots in the industrial construction sector. Since 1946, we’ve delivered fabrication and installation services with a commitment to safety, quality, reliability, and client-focused solutions.

This role supports projects across the United States and requires a high level of travel based on business and project needs. Candidates may be based anywhere within the U.S.; however, the selected individual should be prepared for assignments at various project locations nationwide. Travel for this position may reach up to approximately 90%.

Project assignments generally last 10 to 17 months, depending on project duration and operational requirements. While assigned to a project away from home, eligible employees are provided per diem to assist with temporary living and travel-related expenses, in addition to a competitive base salary.

To support project deployment, mobilization assistance may be provided, which can include mileage reimbursement or other approved travel support. Employees may also receive extended weekend rotations approximately once per month, allowing additional time for travel home.

Position Overview

The Cost Control Specialist is responsible for maintaining the financial picture of shop and fabrication projects, including budgets, commitments, actual costs, forecasts, and billing substantiation. This position partners closely with Project Controls, Project Management, Estimating, Accounting, and Operations to ensure project costs are accurately tracked and forecasted throughout the project lifecycle.

The Cost Control Specialist translates physical project progress into earned dollars, maintains accurate Estimate-at-Completion (EAC) and Estimate-to-Complete (ETC) forecasts, supports change order pricing, and provides the financial insight needed to protect project margins. This role is responsible for answering a critical question:
What will this job ultimately cost, and how do we know?

Responsibilities

• Budget Setup & Maintenance: Build and maintain project cost budgets from the estimate at award using appropriate WBS and cost codes by job, system, and cost type, including shop labor, weld consumables, pipe and fittings, subcontract services, equipment, and freight. Reconcile budgets to contract value and maintain accurate budget logs through project changes.
• Labor Cost Control: Review timesheet coding regularly to ensure labor is accurately assigned to the appropriate cost codes. Identify and correct miscoding between projects, fabrication, rework, and indirect activities. Reconcile labor actuals to payroll each accounting period.
• Commitments & Material Cost Tracking: Track purchase orders, commitments, receipts, and invoices for materials and subcontracted services. Maintain committed-cost reports to ensure forecasts reflect both incurred and obligated costs. Monitor material usage, remnants, returns, and other material cost impacts.
• Forecasting & Cost Reporting: Prepare recurring project cost reports detailing actual costs, commitments, earned value, ETC, EAC, cost variances, and projected margins. Identify emerging cost issues and provide clear explanations of significant variances. Maintain accurate accruals for work performed but not yet invoiced.
• Change Order Management: Support pricing and financial analysis for changes, rework, acceleration, delays, and other scope impacts. Quantify associated costs, maintain change and trend logs, and track changes from identification through client approval. Clearly segregate costs associated with unapproved changes.
• Billing & Cash Management: Support and substantiate progress billings by aligning invoice…