Senior Cost Engineer

Job title: Senior Cost Engineer
Job Type: Contract
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Start date: ASAP
Duration: Ongoing
Pay rate: £DOE
Location: Whitehaven
Hybrid/Remote Working: Hybrid 2-3 days per week
Hours of work: 40 hours per week

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to join the client Cost team. The successful candidate will work closely with Project Managers, multi‑disciplinary project teams, and the Client on a diverse portfolio of challenging projects.

• Develop, maintain and manage project cost baselines, budgets and control accounts.
• Monitor actual costs, commitments, accruals and forecast spend.
• Produce accurate cost reports and Estimate at Completion (EAC) forecasts.
• Analyse cost variances and identify emerging trends, issues and opportunities.
• Support the preparation of project performance reviews and governance reports.
• Ensure cost data is accurate, auditable and aligned with project requirements.

• Deliver robust and evidence‑based cost forecasts.
• Challenge assumptions and collaborate with project teams to improve forecast accuracy.
• Measure and report project performance against approved baselines.
• Support the implementation of earned value and other project performance techniques where appropriate.
• Provide insightful analysis to support project and business decision‑making.

• Support the assessment and quantification of project changes.
• Analyse cost impacts associated with scope growth, risk events and programme changes.
• Maintain change logs and provide cost information to support change approvals.
• Work with project and commercial teams to ensure changes are captured, assessed and reflected within forecasts.

• Work closely with Planning Engineers to align cost forecasts with programme progress.
• Support risk and opportunity management activities through cost modelling and analysis.
• Ensure cost forecasts appropriately reflect approved changes, risks and opportunities.
• Provide integrated cost, schedule and risk performance reporting.

• Provide cost engineering support to commercial and procurement teams where required.
• Assist with the provision of cost data to support contract administration, compensation events, variations and claims.
• Contribute to the financial evaluation of project decisions and change proposals.
• Understand the commercial implications of project performance and forecast outcomes.
• Support, but not lead, commercial activities and contractual assessments.

• Produce high‑quality monthly reporting packs and management information.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, KPIs and performance metrics.
• Support internal and external assurance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, governance requirements and project controls standards.
• Present cost and performance information to stakeholders at all levels.

• Mentor and support junior Cost Engineers and Graduates.
• Promote best practice in cost engineering and project controls.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and process development.
• Share knowledge and lessons learned across projects and teams.

• Significant experience in Cost Engineering or Project Controls roles.
• Demonstrable experience of cost forecasting, budgeting and cost reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working on complex infrastructure, engineering, nuclear, defence or major construction projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience working within NEC or other target cost contract environments.
• Understanding of change management and commercial processes.
• Experience supporting commercial teams with cost analysis and change assessments.
• Experience with SAP, Power BI, Primavera P6 or equivalent project controls systems.

Ability to gain SC Clearance.

We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.