At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape critical projects by managing costs and optimising delivery outcomes.
- Company: Join a leading Project Controls Team at Hunterston B nuclear site.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on project success while developing your cost engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
What if you could shape the success of critical projects from day one, guiding timelines, influencing outcomes, and making a real impact on delivery at a key UK nuclear site? We’re offering an exciting opportunity to join a well-established Project Controls Team in West Kilbride as a Project Cost Engineer, working at the heart of the Hunterston B site. Surrounded by experienced Project Cost Engineers and Project Planners within the Programme Management Office (PMO), you’ll play a pivotal role in driving project success, developing and maintaining Cost Management systems within a project (or multiple projects) at site, partnering closely with Project Managers, and proactively identifying risks and opportunities to optimise performance.
If you’re looking to grow your career in a dynamic environment where your cost expertise directly shapes project outcomes, this could be the perfect next step.
What will you be doing:
- You’ll play a key role in supporting project delivery by bringing your specialist cost knowledge to the project team, using Cost management systems to capture, analyse and forecast cost.
- Working closely with Project Managers and a range of stakeholders, you’ll ensure costs are accurately captured and analysed to underpin accurate forecasts, with due consideration to risks and opportunities, and align with established processes, ultimately enabling informed decision‑making and optimised delivery outcomes.
- In addition, you’ll take ownership of cost performance and governance, leading regular project reviews and maintaining robust control through effective change management.
- Your ability to challenge assumptions, assess contractor costs and estimates, and identify risks and opportunities will be critical in safeguarding the integrity of the baseline plan and driving continuous improvement across the project lifecycle.
- You will also deliver on project cost capture requirements – alignment of Purchase Order (PO) structure with Work Orders (WO’s) and the Cost breakdown structure (CBS) for performance metrics.
- Lead Project forecast reviews and compliance requests, working with the PM and Programmes to inform on the current outlook.
- Conduct cost variance and root cause analysis including commentary, recommendations & recovery plans.
- Ensure an integrated approach to Earned Value Management analysis with the project team.
- Verify subcontract data and information utilised for cost control purposes.
- Liaise with Supply chain to understand variances, drive cost accuracy and timely reporting.
- Assist with preparation for Baseline Change Proposals (BCP) and Investment decisions.
- Support analysis of current and historical data to aid cost estimating activities.
- Promote adherence to cost standards, systems, and mandatory project governance.
- Apply Earned Value Management techniques to analyse and present performance reporting.
Who are we looking for:
We’re looking for a confident communicator and collaborative team player who thrives in a fast‑paced project environment. You’ll be someone who can build strong relationships with stakeholders, clearly present insights, and work seamlessly alongside colleagues to achieve shared goals. With strong organisational and time management skills, you’ll be able to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands, and maintain focus on delivering high‑quality outcomes. You’ll also bring a proactive, self‑motivated approach with a genuine desire to learn and develop within the role. An analytical mindset, combined with strong problem‑solving abilities and excellent attention to detail, will enable you to interpret complex information and drive informed decisions. Alongside this, you’ll be comfortable using IT tools such as MS Office to support your work and enhance efficiency in day‑to‑day cost engineering and reporting activities.
You will have:
- NQF level 5 or equivalent significant, demonstrable levels of experience/knowledge to support development in this role.
- Knowledge of relevant Health and Safety legislation preferably in a highly regulated working environment.
Please note, this is a site based role and will require working a 5 day week as per Hunterston B Site hours. The site offers flexible working via an optional 9 day fortnight. Sound like you? Apply now and help shape the future with us.
Cost Engineer employer: Magnox (NRS)
Join a leading Project Controls Team at the Hunterston B site in West Kilbride, where your expertise as a Cost Engineer will directly influence critical project outcomes. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth and development, offering flexible working options to support a healthy work-life balance. With access to experienced colleagues and a commitment to continuous improvement, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment.
