Cost Engineer

Cost Engineer

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a dynamic team as a Cost Engineer, managing cost planning and estimates for major infrastructure projects.
  • Company: Be part of a leading consultancy delivering impactful infrastructure projects across the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive environment for career growth.
  • Why this job: Work on high-profile projects, develop your skills, and contribute to a collaborative culture.
  • Qualifications: Strong background in civil engineering or infrastructure; experience in cost engineering is essential.
  • Other info: Opportunity for chartership support and flexible working based on project needs.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

A leading consultancy delivering complex infrastructure projects across the UK is seeking a skilled Cost Engineer to join its growing London team. This role sits within the transport and infrastructure division, supporting a major client on a high-profile capital programme.

You’ll work as part of a collaborative pre-construction team responsible for providing robust cost planning, estimating, and commercial assurance across a portfolio of projects. With clear pathways for development and the opportunity to take ownership of key deliverables, this is a great opportunity for a detail-oriented, ambitious professional with a background in civil engineering or infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities
  • Support the Senior Cost Engineer and Head of Estimating by ensuring cost plans and estimates align with client standards and delivery expectations.
  • Develop and maintain accurate cost plans, estimates, and supporting documentation that can be assured both internally and externally.
  • Work autonomously or collaboratively to deliver consistent, high-quality cost outputs for major pre-construction programmes.
  • Provide quantification support, undertake measurement exercises, and help maintain an up-to-date cost database to inform benchmarking and value engineering.
  • Take ownership of portions of the estimating process, including change control, budget tracking, and supporting procurement strategy development.
  • Liaise with stakeholders across planning, commercial, procurement, and delivery teams to gather input and ensure estimates reflect the full scope of works.
  • Present cost estimates and justifications to senior internal and client stakeholders in a clear, structured, and commercially astute manner.
  • Mentor junior members of the estimating team and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Skills & Experience Required
  • Essential: Strong infrastructure background – ideally in civil engineering, highways, rail, or utilities.
  • Previous experience in a cost engineering, estimating, or commercial role (main contractor or consultancy).
  • Proficient in Excel and other cost modelling tools.
  • Confident presenting to clients and senior stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and a methodical approach to cost management.
  • Desirable: Proficiency in Candy Estimating Software and/or CostX (RIB) for digital quantification and estimating.
  • Familiarity with AACE’s Estimate Class system or other industry-standard estimating frameworks.
  • Chartered or working towards chartership (RICS, CICES, ICE, CIOB, etc.).
  • Experience working on pre-construction phases of major infrastructure programmes.
  • Ability to travel or work flexibly based on project requirements.
What’s on Offer
  • Opportunity to work on nationally significant infrastructure projects with high visibility.
  • A clear career progression path and support toward chartership or further development.
  • Collaborative, forward-thinking culture with space to contribute and lead.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package tailored to your experience.
  • Hybrid working and a strong commitment to work-life balance.

Cost Engineer employer: Keyman Personnel

Join a leading consultancy in London that champions innovation and collaboration within the transport and infrastructure sector. As a Cost Engineer, you'll benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth, offering clear pathways to chartership and opportunities to lead on significant projects. With a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a commitment to work-life balance, this role is perfect for ambitious professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
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Contact Detail:

Keyman Personnel Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Cost Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the infrastructure and civil engineering sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at StudySmarter.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in cost engineering, especially those relevant to transport and infrastructure. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific projects you've worked on that showcase your skills in cost planning and estimating. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges faced, and how you contributed to successful outcomes.

✨Tip Number 4

Practice your presentation skills, as you'll need to present cost estimates to senior stakeholders. Consider doing mock presentations with friends or mentors to build confidence and receive constructive feedback.

We think you need these skills to ace Cost Engineer

Cost Estimation
Cost Planning
Commercial Assurance
Analytical Skills
Attention to Detail
Excel Proficiency
Cost Modelling Tools
Stakeholder Engagement
Presentation Skills
Change Control Management
Budget Tracking
Quantification Support
Measurement Exercises
Continuous Improvement Mindset
Candy Estimating Software
CostX (RIB) Proficiency
AACE Estimate Class Familiarity
Chartered Status or Progress Towards Chartership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cost engineering, estimating, and any specific projects related to civil engineering or infrastructure. Use keywords from the job description to align your skills with what the company is looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the industry. Mention specific projects you've worked on that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description, and explain how your background makes you a great fit for their team.

Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in Excel and any cost modelling tools you have experience with, such as Candy Estimating Software or CostX. Providing examples of how you've used these tools in past roles can strengthen your application.

Showcase Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, highlight your analytical abilities, attention to detail, and experience presenting to clients or senior stakeholders. These soft skills are crucial for the role and should be evident in both your CV and cover letter.

How to prepare for a job interview at Keyman Personnel

✨Showcase Your Technical Skills

Make sure to highlight your strong infrastructure background, especially in civil engineering or related fields. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully applied cost engineering principles and tools like Excel or Candy Estimating Software.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement

Since the role involves presenting cost estimates to senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thought process clearly and confidently. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you effectively communicated complex information to clients or team members.

✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail

Cost engineering requires a methodical approach, so be ready to discuss how you ensure accuracy in your cost plans and estimates. Bring examples of how you've maintained cost databases or conducted measurement exercises that contributed to successful project outcomes.

✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit

This role is part of a pre-construction team, so it's important to show that you can work well with others. Share instances where you've collaborated with different teams, such as planning or procurement, to achieve common goals and improve processes.

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