At JH Kelly, we’re seeking a skilled, proactive, and detail-oriented Cost Control Engineer supports project teams by tracking project costs, earned progress, schedule alignment, and resource planning to support effective field execution and project performance. The role is responsible for organizing, analyzing, and communicating project data to provide decisionmakers with accurate, timely, and actionable information. The Cost Control Engineer cross-checks project schedules, monitors productivity, tracks earned quantities and reconciles vendor and subcontractor progress against project costs. The role also supports the development and maintenance of cost forecasts and budgets while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data within the company’s ERP system.

Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll take on:

Cost Management & Forecasting

Aggregate and analyze cost data, earned quantities, and schedule curves from multiple systems.
Update and maintain budgets in the ERP system, including changes from CORs, POs, and subcontracts.
Support the Project Manager in building monthly cost forecasts and validating cost-to-complete reporting.
Analyze how design changes or field adjustments affect cost, time, and productivity curves.

Schedule & Resource Planning

Cross-reference CPM schedules, pull plans, and manpower plans to ensure alignment with actual progress.
Support resource-loaded schedule development by aggregating and applying unit rate data to model extractions.

Procurement & Financial Controls

Review and validate vendor and subcontractor invoices based on actual progress and field reports.
Track PO and subcontract change orders and ensure timely, accurate reconciliation.

Reporting, Analytics & Business Intelligence

Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and data models for cost, productivity, and earned value tracking – with the freedom to build, iterate, and refine based on field and leadership feedback.
Support and improve reporting workflows using Excel, Power BI, Stratus, Bluebeam, Revizto, and related tools.

Process Improvement & Systems Development

Continuously optimize cost control systems – integrating data sources, automating workflows, and experimenting with ways to deliver clearer, faster insights to the team.

What You Bring:

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in mechanical or industrial construction cost control, project engineering, or project management. Preferred: Proficiency with Navisworks and/or Revizto for model interpretation and quantity verification. Prior experience in high-tech, semiconductor, or large industrial projects. Interested in concepts like gamification, decision science, or behavior design as ways to influence how field teams engage with data. Comfortable working with structured data, SQL queries, and logic models behind cost reporting and forecasting. Experience in the mechanical trades or with self-perform MEP contractors.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Industrial Technology, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related technical field or equivalent hands-on experience supporting complex construction or industrial projects.
Skills: Highly proficient in Excel (including Power Query and DAX), Bluebeam, and Power BI. Strong understanding of CPM scheduling principles and schedule analysis. Proficient with Primavera P6. Familiarity with ERP systems and production tracking methodologies (quantity surveying, rules of credit).
Mindset: Ability to work independently, stay organized, and support fast-moving project teams.
Requirements: Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to various construction sites as needed.

Physical Requirements

This role involves transitioning between office and construction field settings. In the office, employees sit for extended periods while working at a computer and communicating by phone. In the field, employees stand and walk on uneven terrain, climb stairs and ladders, kneel, crouch, and crawl to inspect confined or restricted spaces, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds. Good vision and hearing are required for reading plans, identifying hazards, and communicating effectively on active construction sites. Employees may work in various weather conditions and must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots. Travel between job sites is required. The physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

JH Kelly is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with dignity and respect. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants throughout the hiring process. If you require assistance or accommodation, please contact our Human Resources department.