Senior Project Cost Controls Analyst

solvenergy; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SOLV Energy is seeking a Senior Project Cost Controls Analyst to deliver data-driven financial analysis and forecasting across projects. The role is fully remote within the West Region or Hybrid, with regular in-office presence in San Diego, CA.

You will lead cost forecasts, analyze variances, and support SOX controls while partnering with project teams to drive cost efficiency. Ideal candidates have 3-5 years in project controls/FP&A, strong Excel, Power BI, Python, and SQL skills, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Data Science, or related analytical field.
• 3-5 years of experience in project controls, FP&A, or data-driven roles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI, Python, and/or SQL is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured modeling approach.
• Effective communicator who translates complex data for senior leadership.
• Data-driven mindset and strong data management skills.
• Ability to build clean, professional decks that influence decisions.
• Detail-oriented, motivated self-starter.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain project-level cost forecasts with PMs and field ops.
• Monitor changes in assumptions, identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead monthly cost performance reporting and executive reviews.
• Assist in SOX controls and compliance documentation.
• Develop analytics models to forecast project costs from historical data.
• Support budget mapping and fiscal accuracy across the department.
• Analyze project performance trends and drivers of variance.
• Conduct root-cause analyses on cost/schedule deviations.
• Collaborate with teams to gather data and provide insights.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Create executive-ready decks and tell data-driven stories.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Communication

Presentation skills

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Data Science, or related analytical field

Tools

Power BI

Python

SQL

Job description

SOLV Energy is a leading provider of infrastructure services to the power industry, designing, building and maintaining utility scale solar, battery storage and high voltage substation projects nationwide.

Job Description Summary:

The Senior Project Cost Controls Analyst will deliver data-driven financial and strategic analysis that supports decision-making, performance tracking, and forecasting across projects.

This role can be fully remote within the West Region or hybrid, with regular in-office presence in San Diego, CA. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Job Description:

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

Build and maintain project-level cost forecasts by working cross-functionally with project managers, and field operations. Monitor changes in assumptions and proactively identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities. Lead the monthly reporting process, producing accurate cost performance summaries, variance analyses, and data-driven insights used in executive reviews.

Assist in the development, documentation, and maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act.

Implement analytics models to forecast future project cost based on historical data and key project parameters enabling proactive cost management strategies.

Assist with the budget mapping process, ensuring fiscal responsibility and accuracy across the department.

Analyze project performance trends and identify key drivers of variance across cost, schedule, and resource usage

Conduct root-cause analyses on cost and schedule deviations and partner with leadership to inform mitigation strategies and corrective actions. Develop and maintain cost tracking and reporting systems to ensure accurate operational reporting.

Collaborate with project teams and other stakeholders to gather cost data and provide insights into trends.

Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements through analysis.

Synthesize complex datasets into clean, compelling storylines and build executive-ready decks that highlight trends, performance metrics, and strategic recommendations.

Translate variance drivers into clear business narratives and recommendations for senior leadership.

Actively engage in field improvements by going out to the field to understand struggles, work on solutions, build trust, and be seen as a resource for project teams.

Identify risks and early warning signals using historical data, benchmarks, and trends

Conduct scenario planning to explore various future scenarios and assess their potential impact on project outcomes. By simulating different scenarios and evaluating their implications, develop robust contingency plans and adapt to changing circumstances effectively.

Convey a data-driven story to technical and non-technical audiences around key business insights, in collaboration with key cross-functional partners

Define and analyze key metrics to manage project health, mitigate risks, demonstrate impact and enable continuous improvement

Lead data quality audits, resolve coding, or cost discrepancies with field teams.

Contribute analytics to project lessons‑learned reviews and portfolio trend reports

Grow analytics expertise around you, upskilling analysts, and others, to increase overall team impact.

Train and supervise analysts to ensure efficient and effective project cost analysis.

Minimum Skills or Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Data Science, or a related analytical field.

3-5 years of experience in project controls, FP&A, or data-driven roles Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI, Python, and/or SQL is highly preferred.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to modeling and interpretation. Experience partnering with internal stakeholders to identify objectives and work cohesively together to complete identified objectives.

Highly effective communicator who can translate complex technical data into business terms for senior leadership. Data driven and analytical mindset.

Strong data management skills and creativity in business problem solving.

Proven ability to build clean, professional presentation decks that influence decision-making.

Detail-oriented, motivated self-starter.

Ability to travel as needed to successfully fulfill responsibilities and duties.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.

SOLV Energy Is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At SOLV Energy we celebrate the power of our differences. We are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces that improve our communities. SOLV Energy prohibits discrimination and harassment of any k