Cost Engineer

Insight Global; Chester (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global in Chesterfield, Virginia, seeks an experienced Cost Professional to support a large-scale data center construction project. You will lead cost management, change order administration, forecasting, and financial oversight across the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in construction cost controls for mission-critical or data center environments, with strong knowledge of trade partner management, procurement, and project reporting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in construction cost management or related roles.
• Experience supporting data center or mission-critical construction projects.
• Strong understanding of change management, forecasting, billing, and budgeting.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating trade partner change orders.
• Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement, and project budgeting.
• Proficiency with Excel and cost management software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Experience with projects of $70M+.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers to develop, review, and process trade partner change orders.
• Evaluate change order requests, validate supporting documentation, and ensure alignment with project scope and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Superintendents to assess change order impacts on project schedules, productivity, and execution plans.
• Review and verify contractor change order backup documentation for accuracy and validity.
• Support equipment procurement teams with budget tracking, spend forecasting, and cost reporting.
• Assist in developing and maintaining equipment cost forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate equipment-related change orders, invoicing, billing, and budget reconciliations.
• Monitor committed costs, actual expenditures, and forecasted costs to identify budget risks and opportunities.
• Prepare cost reports, financial analyses, and executive-level project updates.
• Track and manage contingency usage, potential exposures, and cost trends.
• Maintain accurate project cost records and ensure compliance with project controls processes.
• Work cross-functionally with project management, field operations, procurement, and client stakeholders to support successful project delivery.

Job description

• 5+ years of construction cost management, cost engineering, project controls, or related experience.
• Experience supporting data center, mission-critical, advanced technology, semiconductor, or similar complex construction projects.
• Strong understanding of change management, forecasting, billing, and construction financial processes.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating trade partner change orders.
• Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement processes, and project budgeting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction cost management software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Experience supporting a similar size project of $70M or more.

Nice to Have Skills & Experience

• 5+ years supporting large-scale data center construction projects.
• Familiarity with major data center equipment, including electrical, mechanical, and mission-critical infrastructure systems.
• Experience supporting equipment procurement teams and managing equipment-related cost forecasting.
• Background working on projects with complex equipment procurement and long-lead material tracking.
• Experience with project controls, earned value management, and cost reporting tools.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Cost Professional to support a large-scale data center construction project in Chesterfield, Virginia. This individual will play a critical role in project cost management, change order administration, forecasting, and financial oversight throughout the construction lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have experience supporting advanced technology, mission-critical, or data center construction projects and possess a strong understanding of construction cost controls, trade partner management, equipment procurement, and project financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers to develop, review, and process trade partner change orders.
• Evaluate change order requests, validate supporting documentation, and ensure alignment with project scope and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Superintendents to assess change order impacts on project schedules, productivity, and execution plans.
• Review and verify contractor change order backup documentation for accuracy and validity.
• Support equipment procurement teams with budget tracking, spend forecasting, and cost reporting.
• Assist in developing and maintaining equipment cost forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate equipment-related change orders, invoicing, billing, and budget reconciliations.
• Monitor committed costs, actual expenditures, and forecasted costs to identify budget risks and opportunities.
• Prepare cost reports, financial analyses, and executive-level project updates.
• Track and manage contingency usage, potential exposures, and cost trends.
• Maintain accurate project cost records and ensure compliance with project controls processes.
• Work cross-functionally with project management, field operations, procurement, and client stakeholders to support successful project delivery.