Cost Estimator & Cost Controller

Position Title: COST ESTIMATOR / COST CONTROLLER Location: HOUSTON, TX FLSA Class: EXEMPT Responsible to: SENIOR MANAGER, PROJECT CONTROLS

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced Cost Estimator who also brings hands-on experience as a Cost Controller, with a minimum of 5 years in the power generation, refinery, pipeline, or transmission and distribution industry. In this dual role, the candidate will prepare cost estimates for new projects during development and bidding, and also assist cost controls with projects in execution, managing budgets, forecasts, and changes throughout closeout. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and commissioning work, and demonstrate a proven ability to both estimate and control costs for industrial power generation projects. This is a full-time position based in our Houston office, with occasional light travel to project sites across the United States.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Estimating

• Prepare detailed and accurate class 3 cost estimates, from conceptual through definitive, for new industrial projects in the power generation and gas compression sectors.
• Analyze project plans, specifications, and requirements to determine labor, material, and equipment needs.
• Develop a basis of estimate for each project that documents scope, assumptions, exclusions, contingency, and escalation.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and construction teams to develop comprehensive budgets and value engineering solutions.
• Solicit, level, and evaluate bids from contractors and suppliers to ensure competitive and reliable pricing.
• Visit jobsites occasionally to gather information and validate estimate assumptions.
• Convert awarded estimates into project control budgets and cost codes to support a clean handoff to execution.

Cost Control

• Establish and maintain project budgets and cost breakdown structures aligned with the work breakdown structure (WBS) and original estimate.
• Track committed, actual, and forecast costs, and prepare estimate-to-complete (ETC) and estimate-at-completion (EAC) forecasts.
• Perform monthly variance analysis, identify cost trends and risks early, and recommend corrective actions to project management.
• Review and validate contractor and vendor invoices, T&M tickets, and pay applications against contract terms, rate sheets, and verified progress.
• Evaluate, price, and track change orders and trend notices; maintain the change log and document budget transfers.
• Measure progress and earned value (installed quantities, percent complete, CPI/SPI) in coordination with project scheduling.
• Prepare monthly cost reports and cash flow forecasts for project managers and leadership.
• Monitor contingency and management reserve usage throughout execution.
• Support project closeout, including final cost reconciliation, claims support, and lessons learned.

General

• Monitor and update estimates and forecasts throughout the project lifecycle to reflect changes in scope and market conditions.
• Develop and maintain a historical record of costs across all projects, feeding actual cost and productivity data from executed projects back into future estimates.
• Participate in project meetings and provide cost-related insights to support decision-making.
• Maintain organized documentation and records for all estimates, budgets, forecasts, change orders, and project correspondence.

Other Requirements:

• Minimum 5+ years of combined cost estimating and cost control experience in power generation, refinery, pipeline, or transmission and distribution projects.
• Demonstrated experience controlling costs on projects in execution, including budgeting, forecasting, change management, and earned value.
• Working knowledge of civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and commissioning disciplines.
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management or engineering preferred but not required.
• AACE certification (CCP, CEP, or EVP) preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Self-starter who thrives in a dynamic environment and can work independently with minimal supervision.
• Solid understanding of Project Controls practices, including WBS and cost coding, earned value management, and cost/schedule integration.
• Ability to read and interpret CPM schedules.
• Familiarity with common contract pricing structures (lump sum, unit rate, T&M, cost-plus) and the ability to apply contract terms when validating invoices and pricing changes.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in estimating software and Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel.
• Experience with estimating and cost control software specific to industrial projects.
• Willingness to work full-time in an office setting with occasional travel to job sites within the US.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

VoltaGrid is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. #GC