Cost Engineer

Brunel; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Brunel is seeking an experienced Cost Engineer to support a large-scale data center project in the Waco, Texas area. You will develop and control project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting across all lifecycle phases, collaborating with project management, construction, procurement, scheduling, and client teams.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in cost engineering or project controls, strong Excel and cost-management tool experience, and excellent analytical and communication skills to drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 5+ years in cost engineering or project controls.
• Strong understanding of cost management, forecasting, and change management.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with cost management software.
• Experience with EcoSys, Prism, SAP, Oracle, Ares Prism, Power BI.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced construction environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Track expenditures against budgets and commitments.
• Monitor costs across labor, materials, equipment, and subs.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost reports and EV analyses.
• Support change management by evaluating changes and cost impacts.
• Review invoices, progress payments, and PO accuracy.
• Collaborate with Project Controls, Scheduling, Procurement, and Construction teams.
• Assist in cost estimates, updates, and forecasting methodologies.
• Identify cost overruns and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain cost management systems and data integrity.
• Support management reviews, audits, and client reporting.
• Participate in risk assessments and contingency management.

Skills

Cost engineering

Project controls

Cost analysis

Forecasting

Excel

Power BI

Communication skills

Problem solving

Construction environment

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Construction Management

Quantity Surveying

Finance

Business

Tools

EcoSys

Prism

SAP

Oracle

Ares Prism

Power BI

Primavera P6

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Cost Engineer to support the delivery of a large-scale data center construction project in the Waco, Texas area. The Cost Engineer will be responsible for developing, monitoring, and controlling project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting throughout all phases of the project lifecycle. This role will work closely with project management, construction, procurement, scheduling, and client teams to ensure financial performance objectives are achieved while maintaining accurate cost visibility and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets, cost forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Track and analyze project expenditures against approved budgets and commitments.
• Monitor labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect costs to identify cost trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost reports, earned value analyses, and management presentations.
• Support the change management process by evaluating potential changes, tracking approved change orders, and assessing cost impacts.
• Review contractor invoices, progress payments, and purchase orders for accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
• Collaborate with Project Controls, Scheduling, Procurement, and Construction teams to ensure alignment between cost, schedule, and project performance.
• Assist in developing cost estimates, budget updates, and forecasting methodologies.
• Identify potential cost overruns and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Maintain cost management systems and ensure data integrity across project reporting platforms.
• Support management reviews, audits, and client reporting requirements.
• Participate in risk assessments and contingency management processes.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, project controls standards, and client expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of cost engineering, project controls, cost analysis, or project accounting experience on large industrial, commercial infrastructure, energy, semiconductor, or data center projects.
• Strong understanding of project controls principles, cost management, forecasting, and change management processes.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and cost management software.
• Experience with tools such as EcoSys, Prism, SAP, Oracle, Ares Prism, Power BI, or similar project controls systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EPC, EPCM, or owner-side project delivery models.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies.
• Professional certifications such as AACE International CCP, PSP, CEP, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of scheduling software including Primavera P6.
• Cost Forecasting & Budget Management
• Change Management
• Cost Reporting & Analysis
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Project Controls
• Stakeholder Communication
• Construction Cost Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the region's most significant data center developments, supporting a high-profile project that will leverage cutting-edge technology and world-class construction practices. The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving cost performance and project success from groundbreaking through commissioning.