Senior Cost Engineer

Zachry Construction Corporation; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Performance Bonus Program

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Zachry Construction Corporation in Texas is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to support financial planning, cost control, and forecasting for heavy civil construction projects. You will analyze costs, develop forecasts, monitor performance, and provide financial insights to project leadership.

The role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency in Excel and ERP systems, and the ability to collaborate with project teams to improve cost control and profitability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–10+ years of heavy civil construction experience, with cost engineering or project controls.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
• Strong understanding of construction cost controls, budgeting, financial reporting, and profitability analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP or project controls software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project cost and revenue forecasts, including cost-to-complete projections.
• Monitor budgets, actual costs, commitments, and expenditures to identify variances and risks.
• Collaborate with project teams to evaluate production quantities, labor productivity, and material costs.
• Prepare monthly project financial reports with variance analyses and profitability assessments.
• Identify overruns and recommend corrective actions to improve project performance.
• Support forecasting by evaluating schedules and resource requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP software

Project controls software

Job description

$95k - $135k per year

Build Your Future with a Company That's Built America for Over a Century

For more than 100 years, Zachry Construction Corporation has been shaping America's infrastructure from highways and bridges to major civil projects that connect communities and strengthen our nation. As a family-owned company, we've built our reputation on integrity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our people.

At Zachry, you're not just joining a construction company, you're joining a family that values hard work, teamwork, and doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. We're looking for dedicated individuals who are ready to grow their careers and make a lasting impact.

Our Core Values guide everything we do: Every Person Matters, Together We Can Do Great Things, This Is More Than a Job.

Position Summary

Zachry Construction Corporation is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to support financial planning, cost control, and forecasting for heavy civil construction projects. This position is responsible for analyzing project costs, developing accurate cost and revenue forecasts, monitoring project financial performance, and identifying potential risks that could impact profitability. The Senior Cost Engineer will work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Project Engineers, and Project Controls teams to evaluate production, labor, equipment, and material costs and provide meaningful financial insights that support project execution. The ideal candidate will have extensive heavy civil construction experience, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to develop reliable forecasts and communicate financial performance to project leadership.

What You'll Do

• Develop, maintain, and analyze project cost and revenue forecasts, including cost-to-complete and estimate-at-completion projections
• Monitor project budgets, actual costs, commitments, and expenditures to identify variances, trends, and potential financial risks
• Partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field teams to evaluate production quantities, labor productivity, equipment utilization, and material costs
• Prepare monthly project financial reports, including cost and revenue projections, variance analyses, and profitability assessments
• Analyze project progress, earned revenue, and forecasted margins to identify potential impacts to overall project performance
• Review project cost codes, budgets, subcontractor commitments, and change orders to ensure accurate cost tracking and reporting
• Support project planning and forecasting by evaluating construction schedules, production rates, resource requirements, and remaining work
• Identify cost overruns, productivity concerns, and financial risks while recommending corrective actions to improve project performance
• Collaborate with accounting, estimating, project controls, and operations teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and consistency across project forecasts
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to project leadership, support monthly project reviews, and assist with improving cost-control processes and forecasting accuracy

What We're Looking For

• Minimum of 5-10+ years of heavy civil construction experience, including significant experience in cost engineering, project controls, or project financial management
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field preferred
• Strong experience with heavy civil construction projects, including highways, bridges, earthwork, concrete, underground utilities, or similar infrastructure
• *Demonstrated ability to develop and manage accurate project cost and revenue forecasts, including cost-to-complete and estimate-at-completion projections
• Strong understanding of construction cost controls, budgeting, financial reporting, earned revenue, and project profitability analysis
• Experience analyzing labor productivity, equipment utilization, material costs, production quantities, and construction schedules to evaluate financial performance
• Ability to identify cost variances, forecast potential overruns, and provide recommendations to improve project financial outcomes
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with construction accounting, ERP, or project controls software
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to project leadership
• Ability to work collaboratively with field operations, Project Managers, accounting, and project controls teams while managing multiple priorities and maintaining a commitment to company safety policies and procedures

Why You'll Love Working with Us

At Zachry, we invest in our people because they're the foundation of our success. We're proud to offer career growth opportunities, long-term stability, and a culture built on trust and respect.

Our Industry-Leading Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% dollar-for-dollar company match, Paid Time Off, and an annual Performance Bonus Program
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Opportunities for training, professional development, and advancement

Zachry Construction Corporation performs heavy civil and building work throughout the United States. Relocation may be required for ongoing opportunities and career growth.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

We do not sponsor or transfer sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. We do not interview or hire students in F-1 or J-1 status and will not sponsor them for work visas.

To learn more about our legacy and projects, visit www.zachrycorp.com.