Senior Cost Engineer
Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
Job Type: Full-time
Salary/Package: Competitive + Comprehensive Benefits
Security Clearance: UK Background Check / Vetting Required
About the Client:
Our client is an international leader in engineering and technical services, employing over 8,000 professionals across the UK. They are widely recognised for delivering major clean energy, sustainability, and mega-infrastructure programmes within a supportive, diverse, and ethical working culture.
They offer an exceptional employee benefits package, including free single private medical cover, digital GP access, enhanced parental leave, and full reimbursement for relevant professional memberships and ongoing development. The business also drives active community engagement through matched funding, paid volunteering, and charitable initiatives.
About the Opportunity:
This role is embedded directly within a landmark, multi-billion-pound UK nuclear power new-build project (Hinkley Point C). Generating 3.26GW of secure, low-carbon electricity, this mega-project represents one of the largest clean energy infrastructure developments in Europe.
As the Senior Cost Engineer, you will be the face of cost and forecasting management for your nominated programme or area. You will take full ownership of cost data, providing senior stakeholders with confidence that outputs are robust, auditable, and aligned with overall delivery and project controls frameworks.
Key Responsibilities:
Cost Management & Systems
CBS/WBS Alignment: Produce, maintain, and interrogate accurate cost and forecasting data structured against the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Enterprise Software Control: Ensure the integrity and ongoing maintenance of all cost and forecasting data within specialist software systems (e.g., EcoSys, SAP).
Dashboard Analytics: Oversee, verify, and present visual cost analytics and reports using Power BI dashboards for Board Meetings, Programme Reviews, and senior leadership forums.
Interrogation, Challenge & Integration
Strategic Challenge: Interrogate uncertainties, variance, and cost drivers over time, supporting scenario planning and cost-focused workshops to inform strategic decision-making.
Schedule & Risk Alignment: Collaborate with Project Controls Managers and Risk Leads to ensure overall schedules and cost forecasts are fully aligned with delivery risk profiles.
Contractor Commercial Interfaces: Work alongside Tier 1 contractors and programme teams to review contractor-held cost data, risks, and commercial opportunities.
Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement enhancements across integrated cost management procedures, systems, and reporting tools.
Candidate Profile:
Requirements & Experience
Professional Experience: At least 10 years of senior-level experience within a cost and forecasting function, operating inside complex, highly regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, energy, or major infrastructure).
Subject Matter Expertise: Expert knowledge of project controls, cost techniques, financial integration management, and stakeholder management.
Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with enterprise cost systems (e.g., EcoSys, SAP) and data visualisation tools (Power BI).
Industry Sector: Experience in a project management or major construction environment; prior exposure to the nuclear or energy sector is highly desirable.
Qualifications
Education: Minimum of an HND (or equivalent) in Project Management, Project Controls, Engineering, or a related discipline.
Accreditation: Cost management specific qualifications or relevant professional memberships are highly advantageous.
Key Competencies
Collaborative Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, mentor junior team members, and build collaborative cross-boundary relationships built on transparency and mutual trust.
Analytical Rigour: Exceptional attention to detail, with a structured approach to analysing complex financial data and presenting actionable insights to senior leadership.
