At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert cost engineering support and analyse project performance for informed decision-making.
- Company: Join a leading engineering and research facility with a focus on complex national programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Promote continuous improvement and best practices in a dynamic and secure setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a highly regulated environment while enhancing your cost management skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in cost engineering and project controls, preferably in major project environments.
The predicted salary is between 50 - 60 £ per hour.
Ceto Talent is supporting a highly secure major engineering and research facility, searching for a Senior Cost Engineer to join its Business Management function on a long-term contract basis. This position sits within a central cost engineering and business management team, providing specialist cost engineering support across a portfolio of complex programmes and projects.
The successful candidate will be responsible for cost forecasting, performance analysis, budgeting, reporting, trend identification, and assurance activities, helping to improve cost visibility and support informed decision-making across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Cost Engineer looking to work within a highly regulated and technically complex environment where robust cost management and performance insight are critical to programme success.
The Role
- Provide cost engineering expertise and support to project and programme teams, ensuring the quality, consistency, and integrity of cost data and reporting.
- Analyse project performance, identify emerging trends, support forecasting activities, and provide recommendations to improve project cost performance and delivery confidence.
- Support the ongoing development of cost engineering capability, processes, and best practice across the wider organisation.
- Implement appropriate procedures, processes, and systems to ensure the quality and consistency of cost data.
- Prepare, monitor, and control project forecasts and budgets, including change control activities.
- Produce detailed cost reports, trend analysis, and early warning indicators.
- Interrogate project systems to analyse actual expenditure, commitments, and accruals.
- Conduct detailed Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI) variance analysis.
- Perform root cause analysis and provide narrative reporting, recommendations, and recovery plans.
- Establish and maintain Project Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS).
- Lead cost studies and benchmarking exercises using historical project data.
- Develop and maintain benchmarking information to support project and programme requirements.
- Provide Project Managers with trend analysis, performance forecasts, and recommendations based on emerging project data.
- Track manpower productivity and analyse resource utilisation against project plans.
- Review labour performance, resource constraints, and time booked to projects, providing recommendations where required.
- Support project teams with forecasting, reporting, and cost performance management activities.
- Assist with the coordination and deployment of Business Management resources where required.
- Promote continuous improvement and cost engineering best practice across the organisation.
- Maintain high standards of safety, security, quality, and environmental compliance.
Requirements
- Proven experience in Cost Engineering, Cost Control, Cost Management, or Project Controls.
- Background within engineering, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, defence, nuclear, utilities, or other major project environments.
- Experience conducting SPI and CPI analysis within an Earned Value Management (EVM) environment.
- Ability to undertake trend analysis, forecasting, benchmarking, and performance reporting.
- Experience tracking labour productivity, resource utilisation, and manpower performance.
- Ability to provide meaningful recommendations and challenge project assumptions where appropriate.
- Proficient in cost management and project controls systems.
For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Ceto Talent.
Senior Performance Engineer - Contract in Reading employer: Ceto Talent
Join a leading engineering and research facility that prioritises innovation and excellence in a highly regulated environment. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to continuous growth opportunities and the chance to work alongside industry experts on complex national programmes. Enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects that make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Performance Engineer - Contract in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and cost management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and knowledge of cost engineering. Be ready to discuss your experience with SPI and CPI analysis, and how you've tackled challenges in past projects. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your previous work in cost forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Performance Engineer - Contract in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Cost Engineer role. Highlight your experience in cost forecasting, performance analysis, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Mention specific experiences that relate to cost management and how you can contribute to our team at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of analysis, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Talk about your experience with SPI and CPI analysis, and how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ceto Talent
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Cost Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost forecasting and performance analysis. Brush up on key metrics like Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI). Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects to drive decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in cost management or project controls. Think about specific instances where you performed root cause analysis and developed recovery plans. This will show your potential employer that you can handle complex situations effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Best Practices
Since the role involves promoting continuous improvement and best practices, be prepared to discuss your knowledge of cost engineering processes. Share any experiences where you've implemented new procedures or systems that improved cost data quality and reporting.
✨Engage with the Team
This position requires collaboration with project teams, so it's essential to convey your teamwork skills. During the interview, ask questions about the team dynamics and how they approach cost performance management. This shows your interest in fitting into their culture and working collaboratively.
