Project Cost Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Do you want to work with high-caliber professionals in a dynamic and growing company? Are you entrepreneurial, hard-working, and collegial? Join us at SB Energy, a leading infrastructure company backed by SoftBank Group and Ares Infrastructure, pairing cutting-edge innovation with best-in-class execution. Our mission is to deliver reliable and secure data center and power infrastructure to strengthen America's future.
Founded in 2019, SB Energy is a SoftBank Group company headquartered in Redwood City, California. In 2026, SoftBank Group and OpenAI announced a $1 billion investment to support SB Energy as their leading development and execution partner for data center campuses, while Ares Infrastructure continues its long-standing support of the company's growth. SB Energy develops, builds, owns, and operates some of the largest and most technically advanced energy and data center infrastructure projects in the United States. Since its founding, the company has rapidly grown into a top-tier integrated platform with more than 3 gigawatts (GW) in operation and a multi-GW pipeline of energy and data center infrastructure nationwide.
SB Energy also leverages a strong culture of innovation to identify and integrate new technologies into its projects, including its AI-based digital platform, delivering energy infrastructure that is local, reliable, and matched to load. We are building the energy and infrastructure future-today.
Come join us in accelerating the energy and infrastructure transition!
Basic Function
As a part of the Data Center organization, the Cost Manager is responsible for overseeing the cost planning, cost modeling, and financial control of data center construction projects. The Cost Manger will both oversee the financial management of active construction projects and lead initial cost modeling in projects in development. This individual serves as the subject-matter expert for all project cost-related activities, ensuring budgets are accurately developed, tracked, and maintained throughout the project lifecycle. They will demonstrate strong analytical capabilities, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple cost workstreams while meeting strict deadlines. The Cost Manager will establish and maintain processes to ensure cost discipline, transparency, and alignment with project objectives.
Responsibilities

• Comprehend the technical specifications and design criteria of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Network, and Building Automation Systems within a Data Center to accurately reflect costs in the project model.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously refine detailed cost models for data center construction projects, including CAPEX estimates and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure project budgets align with company objectives for safety, delivery, performance, schedule, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Maintain documented cost files to accurately present a clear audit trail for estimates, budgets, forecasts, approvals, and cost changes.
• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, and forecasts, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and identifying variances.
• Analyze cost variances and provide actionable insights and recommendations to mitigate financial risks and maintain budget control.
• Support project management with contracting processes by reviewing bids, validating pricing, and contributing to commercial evaluations.
• Review and validate change orders, ensuring cost impacts are accurate, justified, and aligned with contract terms.
• Prepare and present cost reports, dashboards, and cash flow projections to internal stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Implement and maintain cost control processes, tools, and reporting standards across all phases of construction and project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, project controls procedures, and contractual cost requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate cost-related insights and risks to senior executives both internally and externally.
• Conduct business dealings with the highest level of integrity and regard for financial, legal, and environmental considerations.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making in complex and ambiguous situations.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field preferred)
• 3+ years of experience in cost management, project controls, or estimating in an EPC or utility-scale construction environment
• Strong experience in cost modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control processes
• Experience with change management, contract cost analysis, and financial reporting
• Engineering, estimating, or project controls background is a plus
• Experience working in an engineered systems / project-based business model
• Experience in data center construction is preferred, but not required
• Excellent communication, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong understanding of financial principles and cost management practices
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills preferred)

Location: Redwood City, CA, Denver, CO, San Diego, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Houston, TX
Remote locations considered on a case by case basis.
Base Pay - $100,000 - $140,000
The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks-while ensuring internal parity across our teams. The compensation range provided reflects base pay. Total rewards may also include performance-based bonuses, equity grants, and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.
Our Health & Wellness Benefits
At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
• Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support

At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we're proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now!
SB Energy is built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.
To learn more about us, visit www.sbenergy.com.
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