Senior Data Center Engineering – Process & Budget Manager

EdgeConneX•Herndon, VA

39d•$185,000 - $200,000

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Data Center Engineering – Process & Budget Manager to own our engineering cost structure and process excellence across large‑scale (cloud/AI) data center programs. This leader brings a deep technical background in General Construction and MEP systems, can build and govern WBS/cost frameworks, and has the judgment to assess, question, and revise complex data center budgets in partnership with EPCs and vendors. Equally, this role designs, documents, trains, and enforces engineering processes and stage‑gate controls that scale globally. You’ll partner closely with Engineering, PMO, Operations, Finance, Legal/Procurement, and our EPC partners and OEMs. Why this matters: Our capital program uses formal stage‑gates and Decision Support Packages (DSPs) with risk registers and cross‑functional RACIs. Your work ensures tight schedule‑cost integration, robust risk/contingency management, and repeatable execution from market development through RFS.

Requirements

10+ years in data center or mission‑critical construction/engineering; 5+ years with a hyperscale or large‑scale operator/EPC delivering multi‑MW campuses.
Strong technical literacy across Electrical (MV/LV, UPS, switchgear, generators) and Mechanical (chillers, CRAH/CRAC, heat rejection, BMS); able to read one‑lines, MEP plans, and commissioning scripts.
Demonstrated ownership of WBS design, cost estimating (AACE), budget governance, change management, and value engineering on $100M+ programs.
Proficiency with Primavera P6/MS Project, EVM, and risk analysis methods; comfort leading QSRA/CQRA workshops.
Process mindset with hands‑on experience creating SOPs/RACIs/templates and driving training/adoption across internal teams and EPCs/OEMs.
Advanced Excel and Power BI reporting; familiarity with PMIS/CLM and ERP integrations.
BS in Engineering (EE/ME/IE) or Construction Management; or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

PMP, PE, or AACE CCP; LEED or Uptime experience a plus.
Background integrating cost controls with stage‑gate/DSP governance in global portfolios.

Responsibilities

Capital Planning, WBS & Cost Governance
Improve and expand our standard WBS for data center developments (core & shell, fit‑out, offsite/onsite substation, OFCI/OCIP, commissioning), and drive consistency across regions and EPC partners.
Lead and challenge CapEx estimates across AACE classes (e.g., early Class‑5 through Class‑2), including benchmarking, quantity takeoff validation, vendor quotes, and value engineering alternatives.
Govern budget baselines, benchmarks, contingencies, and comparisons, and own variance narratives and recovery plans.
Engineering Process Design, Documentation & Adoption
Identify, define, and implement scalable engineering processes spanning test fits, design reviews, submittals/RFIs, design deviations, doc control, commissioning readiness, and handover. Produce SOPs, RACIs, checklists, and templates; maintain a single source of truth.
Stand up and run training for Engineering, PMO, and partner teams; monitor adoption, audit compliance, and drive corrective actions.
Partner with Vendor Management to align vendor onboarding, SOW/SLA standards, and QBRs to engineering process controls.
Cross‑Functional & Partner Leadership
Lead structured cost reviews with Engineering, Finance, and EPC/OEM partners; ensure transparency on assumptions and decision logs.
Collaborate with Market Development/Real Estate on development cases and pre‑construction scope/cost capture to ensure end-to-end accountability from Dirt‑to‑Dollars.
Support contract strategy and technical exhibits with clear cost codes, deliverables, submittal schedules, and commissioning/IST expectations.
Data, Tooling & Reporting
Drive Implementation and Advance our use of PMIS/CLM, schedule and cost tools (e.g., Omega 365, P6, Power BI), and standardized dashboards for portfolio visibility and decision‑making.
Maintain a defensible cost database (benchmarks, commodities, logistics factors) and document assumptions for auditability.