Demo

Principal, Cost Management

Fleet Data Centers
Arlington, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/6/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/30/2026
Fleet Data Centers designs, builds and operates mega-scale data center campuses. Fleet provides its customers with flexibility and predictability to meet their upside demand forecasts, addressing a key need in the market as traditional leased models are struggling to keep pace with the demand for new Cloud and AI infrastructure. Fleet is led by a team of industry veterans that have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and are committed and uniquely capable of upleveling data center development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Fleet is well positioned to bring in-house design, engineering, and operational capabilities to collaborate with customers on tailored solutions for campuses of 500MW . This unique model enables Fleet to provide the world’s largest and most sophisticated customers with a seamless extension of their own data center fleets with constant access to design innovation. Fleet is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with satellite offices in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA.

Fleet Data Centers is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Cost Management Principal to drive program-level cost management for large-scale data center build programs. This includes cost planning and control, progress measurement, risk mitigation, and costed-schedule development.

You will report to the Director of Procurement Cost Management and collaborate closely with the Contracts Management team on all Request-For-Information / Quotation / Proposal (collectively “RFx”) process(s). In addition you will participate in preparing, reviewing, negotiating, and executing contracts with various parties, such as, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants. You will bring deep knowledge of construction economics, commercial negotiations, and cost control within mission-critical or technically complex environments.

How will you make a difference?

The successful candidate will have transactional experience to perform the following responsibilities:

  • Sourcing: Request-for-Information / Quotations / Proposals (collectively RFx) processes including bid-leveling, cost (including lump sum/GMP, NTE) negotiations, and financial planning.
  • Cost Management and Cost Control.
  • Facilitating effective communication on project status(s), monitoring project finances, working with construction on deliverables and associated payments, tracking payments, and managing any variations or claims that may arise during the construction process.
  • Driving cost control, risk mitigation, and the overall status of the data center build program(s). Reviewing/driving design/general contractors in the development of cost estimates.
  • Provide estimate and cost planning to include producing and presenting the final cost plan (for customer engagement(s), vendor assessments, and internal reporting).
  • Communicating with vendors (e.g., general contractor(s) and the owner to gather status information to prepare a cost estimate update).
  • Managing cost checks and conducting valuations on larger projects. Completing timely, accurate cost checking and valuation processes. Participating effectively in post contract cost variances and the change control processes. Managing cost impact / contingency management and commitment tracking logs.
  • Financial management including using tools provided to keep track of the ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts. Reconcile changes that occur over the planning phase and assist the general contractor to ensure that their data is accurate.
  • Quantities Surveying: Collaborating closely with design/construction/project management teams to determine the exact quantities for large, data center construction programs, assessing labor requirements and the specialized skills needed for installing and maintaining complex data center infrastructure. Providing accurate cost and quantity information enabling our construction and engineering teams to make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle, including adherence to project schedules/budgets.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, finance/cost management, construction management, or engineering.
  • 5 years as a subject matter expert in Quantity Surveying and experience in the construction industry with a good understanding of the role of a commercial manager/cost manager.
  • 5 years of strategic sourcing/procurement experience of which 3 experience is working for a hyperscaler and/or data center developer/operator.
  • 3 years of commercial/transactional contracts negotiation experience including awarding, drafting, negotiation, execution, and administration.
  • 3 years working in fast-paced, large-scale infrastructure or data center projects. Sourcing, bid-leveling, cost negotiations across various engineering and construction vendors.

Required Qualifications

  • Subject Matter Expert as a Project Controls Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor
  • Pre-Construction/GMP/Lump Sum/NTE negotiations
  • Quantity surveying/cost management for large mission critical and/or data centers programs.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Strong knowledge of supply chain management tools, data analytics, and BI tools

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advance degree/license in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering.
  • Experience with typical construction/services contracting approaches and fee structures (e.g., Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Not-to-Exceed, Cost Plus Fee, Time & Materials, Hourly Rate, Not to Exceed, Design-Build (DB) or Design-Build-Assist (DBA), etc.
  • Proficiency in cost management systems and tools and integration into corporate financial systems.
  • Proven track record in implementing process improvement initiatives and driving operational excellence.

Location and Travel

  • This role can be located in Denver, CO - Austin, TX - Seattle, WA or Arlington, VA - Hybrid, 3 days per week in office.
  • 15% travel (U.S.)

Expected Salary DOE

  • $120,000- $150,000 Discretionary Bonus.

Fleet Data Centers Employment

Fleet Data Centers employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@fleetdatacenters.com.

Salary : $120,000 - $150,000

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