Cost Control Engineer

Job Summary:

The MEP Cost Control Engineer is responsible for comprehensive cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance control for large-scale MEP works across high-rise buildings, commercial developments, residential complexes, villas, and luxury hotel projects. The role ensures strict adherence to approved project budgets while optimizing cost efficiency throughout the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning stages. The position requires strong technical understanding of MEP systems and advanced project controls capability in complex building projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Budget Development & Cost Planning

• Develop detailed MEP cost budgets aligned with design drawings, specifications, and BOQ for high-rise, commercial, residential, villa, and hospitality projects.


• Establish baseline (R0) budgets incorporating WBS structures for all MEP disciplines (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Fighting, ELV systems).


• Ensure accurate cost coding and allocation across work packages, zones, floors, and building systems.


• Incorporate project-specific complexities such as luxury finishes, hotel MEP standards, and high-rise system integration into cost planning.

1. Cost Control & Financial Monitoring

• Implement robust cost control mechanisms throughout project execution in accordance with project control procedures.


• Continuously monitor actual cost against budget across all MEP systems and identify deviations at package and activity level.


• Analyze variances related to material cost fluctuations, labor productivity, subcontractor performance, design changes, and site execution constraints.


• Track cost impact of design coordination issues typical in high-rise and luxury developments (e.g., vertical risers, plant rooms, multi-zone HVAC systems).

1. Reporting, Forecasting & Performance Analysis

• Prepare detailed monthly cost control reports including:

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  • Cost Control Reports (CCR)
  
  
  • Cost-to-Complete (CTC)
  
  
  • Project Cost Reports (PCR)
  
  
  • Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
  
  

• Provide forward-looking cost forecasts and cash flow projections based on project progress.


• Monitor KPIs such as cost variance, productivity index, earned value performance, and budget utilization.


• Present cost performance dashboards for senior management and project leadership.

1. Procurement & Subcontractor Cost Management

• Coordinate with procurement teams for material tracking, purchase commitments, and vendor cost comparisons.


• Evaluate subcontractor work progress, payment applications, variations, and claims in coordination with site and commercial teams.


• Monitor procurement lead times and assess their impact on project cost and schedule.


• Ensure subcontractor cost control alignment with contractual scope and work breakdown structure.

1. Construction & Project Coordination

• Work closely with construction, planning, and engineering teams to align cost control with site execution progress.


• Evaluate cost implications of design changes, site instructions, rework, and coordination issues typical in complex MEP installations.


• Monitor installation productivity for HVAC ducting, chilled water piping, electrical cabling, plumbing networks, and fire-fighting systems.


• Support coordination between MEP and architectural/structural trades in high-rise and luxury developments.

1. Resource & Productivity Control

• Prepare and maintain manpower, equipment, and subcontractor productivity analysis for MEP works.


• Develop and monitor resource histograms and compare planned vs actual utilization.


• Identify inefficiencies and propose corrective cost optimization measures.

1. Risk & Cost Impact Analysis

• Identify potential cost risks arising from design development, authority approvals, site constraints, and material availability.


• Assess financial impact of NCRs, rework, quality issues, and site delays.


• Support cost risk mitigation planning in coordination with project management teams.

1. Systems, Data & Controls

• Maintain accurate and real-time cost data in ERP systems (SAP or equivalent) and cost control platforms.


• Ensure consistency of WBS, BOQ, and cost coding structures across all project stages.


• Maintain audit-ready cost records for all MEP project activities.

Required Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical / Electrical / Building Services Engineering or related discipline.


• Minimum 9+ years of experience in MEP cost control / project controls within:

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  • High-rise buildings
  
  
  • Commercial complexes
  
  
  • Residential developments
  
  
  • Luxury villas and hotel projects
  
  

• Strong technical understanding of MEP systems including HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Fighting, and ELV.


• Proven expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and Earned Value Management (EVM).


• Hands-on experience in CCR, CTC, PCR, EVA, and project cost reporting systems.


• Strong knowledge of WBS, BOQ, cost breakdown structures, and construction sequencing.


• Advanced MS Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (SAP or equivalent).


• Strong analytical mindset with excellent numerical and reporting accuracy.


• Excellent communication skills in English and ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams.


• Strong understanding of complex building services coordination in high-rise and luxury projects