Cost Lead

About Fluidstack

We exist to make humanity more free. For most of human history, you farmed or you starved. Technology gave people more time for the things they wanted to do, instead of things they had to do. Powerful AI will be the biggest lever for human choice we've ever built - but only if models are aligned with what humanity actually wants. There are groups building AI who don't share these goals. Whoever deploys frontier compute infrastructure fastest will decide whether AI expands human freedom or shrinks it.

We're singularly focused on delivering 10 to 100s of GWs of compute faster than anyone else, rethinking every layer of the stack. We acquire power, design and build data centers, and operate them - with teams spanning hardware and software. Speed and scale are our key differentiators. Come be a part of building civilization-scale infrastructure for AI.

We hire people who care deeply about this problem space. If that is you, please apply!

How We Operate

Be a barrel. Full autonomy. Own things end to end, take on scope without being asked, no permission required to operate outside your core role.

Insane urgency. We drive everything forward as fast as possible.

Reason from first principles. Challenge every assumption. Zero analogy thinking, no egos, the best idea wins.

Love of the game. The frontier of AI is the most interesting problem of our time. We put in long hours at high intensity to push the frontier forward.

Build something that actually matters. If you're going to spend your time, spend it on something that matters to the world.

About the Role

As Cost Lead, you will own cost management across our data center portfolio — from early-stage budgeting and estimating through construction and final account. You'll set up process where it doesn't exist, build benchmarks from scratch, and serve as the Cost Lead of our delivery program. You'll work closely with project managers, A/E design teams, GCs, and other Leads to keep every project on-budget and every decision grounded in credible numbers.

Own cost planning across all project phases — from concept and pre-design through construction documents and GMP negotiation

Develop detailed estimates for civil, structural, MEP, HV/LV power, cooling, fuel systems, and shell construction

Maintain real-time cost forecasts across all active projects; track actuals vs. budget and surface variances early

Own change order review: assess scope validity, commercial accuracy, and contract entitlement before recommending approval

Prepare executive-level cost reports across the portfolio — clear, scannable, exception-based

Manage contingency tracking and cost risk registers across project phases

Lead value engineering exercises with design and construction teams to optimise cost without compromising scope or schedule

Support GC and subcontractor procurement: bid leveling, scope gap analysis, and contract negotiation input

Advise on contract structure and commercial risk allocation across delivery models

Build the cost management function from the ground up: tools, templates, workflows, and reporting cadence

Establish and maintain a unit cost benchmark database covering key DC cost categories — from $/MW to equipment and trade breakdowns

Contribute to precon planning on new sites, including order-of-magnitude estimates to support site selection and investment decisions

Qualifications:

Experience with cost management, quantity surveying, or construction estimating

Meaningful hands-on experience on data center or mission-critical construction — hyperscale, colo, or large-scale build-to-suit

Owner-side experience strongly preferred; GC or QS consulting backgrounds considered if DC domain knowledge is deep

Deep understanding of the DC cost stack: civil, structural, MEP, HV/LV power, cooling (CRAC/CRAH, DLC, immersion), emergency power, and IT fit-out

Understands how design decisions — power density, redundancy tier, cooling strategy — translate directly to capital cost

Comfortable benchmarking at $/MW, $/SF, and $/kW; knows what drives variation between projects

Strong change order discipline: can assess pricing validity, identify scope gaps, and document entitlement

Familiar with GMP, lump sum, and cost-plus contract structures

Proficient with cost management tooling (Procore, Sage, or equivalent); can build process from scratch

Degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, or related field

Builder mindset — comfortable setting up function and process where little exists, and operating with urgency in a fast-moving program

Salary & Benefits

Competitive total compensation package (salary + equity).

Retirement or pension plan, in line with local norms.

Health, dental, and vision insurance.

Generous PTO policy, in line with local norms.

We are committed to pay equity and transparency.

Fluidstack is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Fluidstack will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.

You will receive a confirmation email once your application has successfully been accepted. If there is an error with your submission and you did not receive a confirmation email, please email [email protected] with your resume/CV, the role you've applied for, and the date you submitted your application-- someone from our recruiting team will be in touch.