Lead Cost Engineer

Seeking an experienced Lead Cost Engineer to support the planning, execution, and reporting of large-scale data center construction projects in Texas. This role will be responsible for cost management throughout the project lifecycle, including forecasting, accruals, earned value analysis, spend profiles, and CAPEX reporting. The position will work closely with Project Controls, Construction, Procurement, and Finance teams to ensure accurate cost performance, financial reporting, and project forecasting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets, cost reports, forecasts, and cash flow projections for multi-phase CAPEX projects.
• Prepare and manage spend profiles, Work-in-Progress (WIP) curves, Value of Work Done (VOWD), accruals, and earned value metrics to support project execution and financial reporting.
• Monitor project performance against approved budgets and identify cost variances, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support monthly cost reporting activities, including commitments, actual costs, forecasts, and estimate-at-completion updates.
• Coordinate with Construction, Procurement, Project Controls, and Finance teams to ensure accurate cost tracking and timely reporting.
• Review contractor invoices, commitments, purchase orders, and change orders to maintain cost accuracy and proper accruals.
• Perform cost analysis and provide recommendations to project leadership regarding cost performance and forecast changes.
• Support development and maintenance of project control systems and reporting tools.
• Prepare management reports and presentations for project leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintain alignment between project controls and finance requirements to ensure compliance with internal reporting processes.
• Support multiple project phases and work packages simultaneously while maintaining accurate cost information.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of Cost Engineering experience supporting major capital projects.
• Experience supporting both Owner and EPC/Contractor organizations.
• Experience supporting large multi-leg CAPEX projects, including industrial, manufacturing, mission critical, or data center developments.
• Strong experience performing VOWD, accruals, earned value analysis, spend profile development, WIP curves, forecasting, and estimate-at-completion reporting.
• Experience working closely with Finance departments and understanding accounting principles, monthly close processes, and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with project cost management software such as Omega, Eco Sys, PIMS, Pathfinder, SAP, or similar systems.
• Strong understanding of project controls, procurement, construction execution, and cost management processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and cost reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with backgrounds in utilities, renewable energy, power generation, transmission and distribution, or oil and gas industries are encouraged to apply. Experience supporting large capital projects within these sectors is highly transferable and will be considered relevant.
• Experience supporting hyperscale data center construction projects
• Experience supporting multiple work packages and complex project execution environments.
• Familiarity with earned value management principles and project performance metrics.