Cost Estimator

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• Initially a 3 - 6 month contract, potetnial to go permanent
• Hybrid working (mostly WFH, with an "as and when" requirement to attend site).
• Travel and hotels are paid for by the company when onsite working is required.
• Office is located in Pontypool, South Wales.

We are recruiting a Cost Engineer to support specialist low-volume automotive conversion programmes. This role sits at the intersection of engineering detail and commercial decision-making, with a particular emphasis on metal components and tooling.

The role has high visibility, close stakeholder access, and genuine influence over programme cost, supplier strategy, and design decisions.

• Build detailed cost breakdowns for conversion parts, assemblies, and tooling

• Develop and maintain cost models across metal components (fabrication, machining, tooling, finishes)

• Support Engineering teams with cost insight to optimise designs for manufacture and assembly

• Compare target costs vs supplier quotations, identifying gaps, risks, and cost-reduction opportunities

• Partner closely with Procurement and Supply Chain to challenge supplier assumptions and validate pricing

• Track cost impacts arising from design changes, supplier changes, and low-volume production effects

• Maintain accurate cost data throughout the product development and conversion lifecycle

• Support ongoing seating programme activity with structured cost analysis

• Strong exposure to metal components and metal manufacturing processes (essential)

• Degree-qualified Engineer (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials or similar)

• Proven experience in cost engineering / cost analysis / should-costing

• Understanding of automotive manufacturing, tooling, and supply chain cost drivers

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical data

• Strong Excel capability and a structured, analytical mindset

• Confident communicator able to work across Engineering, Procurement, and Finance

• Automotive seating, interiors, or structural components

• Low-volume or specialist vehicle programmes

• Supplier cost negotiation and value engineering activity