Senior Cost Engineer

Zachry Corporation•Katy, TX

About The Position

Zachry Construction Corporation is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to support financial planning, cost control, and forecasting for heavy civil construction projects. The role analyzes project costs, develops cost and revenue forecasts, monitors project financial performance, and identifies risks that could affect profitability. It works closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Project Engineers, field teams, and Project Controls teams to assess production, labor, equipment, and material costs and provide financial insights that support project execution. The successful candidate will bring substantial heavy civil construction experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to develop reliable forecasts and communicate financial performance to project leadership. The position may involve relocation for ongoing opportunities and career growth. Zachry Construction Corporation performs heavy civil and building work throughout the United States.

Requirements

Minimum of 5–10+ years of heavy civil construction experience, including significant experience in cost engineering, project controls, or project financial management.
Strong experience with heavy civil construction projects, such as 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 recommend ways 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, including the ability to present financial information clearly to project leadership.
Ability to collaborate with field operations, Project Managers, accounting, and project controls teams while managing multiple priorities.
Commitment to company safety policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
Work 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 on overall project performance.
Review project cost codes, budgets, subcontractor commitments, and change orders for 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, and recommend corrective actions to improve project performance.
Collaborate with accounting, estimating, project controls, and operations teams to support accurate financial reporting and consistent project forecasts.
Provide financial analysis and reporting to project leadership, support monthly project reviews, and help improve cost-control processes and forecasting accuracy.
Maintain a commitment to company safety policies and procedures.