Cost Engineer (GBE-N)

Cost Engineer

Location: Manchester, Warrington or Derby with Hybrid Working available. Salary: £42,000 - £55,150

Why this role matters

We’re building something that has never been done before — and we need you to help make it happen. As a Cost Engineer at Rolls‑Royce SMR, you’ll play a key part in ensuring our projects are delivered accurately, responsibly, and efficiently. Your work will directly influence how we plan, forecast, and deliver one of the UK’s most exciting clean‑energy programmes.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you’ll take ownership of cost control and analysis across key areas of our programme.

• Maintaining and updating project budgets and forecasts
• Tracking actuals, commitments and accruals
• Supporting change control assessments and cost impact analysis
• Ensuring cost data aligns with schedule and project controls
• Raising PRs, managing POs, and reviewing supplier applications
• Preparing monthly cost reports and dashboards
• Collaborating with planners, commercial colleagues and Work Package Managers
• Contributing to continuous improvement and supporting our cost systems and tools

What you’ll bring

We don’t expect you to tick every box — if you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d still love to hear from you.

• Strong understanding of cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and change processes
• High proficiency in cost reporting and variance analysis (Excel, Power Query or similar)
• A detail‑orientated and accountable approach to your work
• The ability to build strong relationships and collaborate across multi‑disciplinary teams
• Experience in cost engineering or project controls, ideally in infrastructure, energy or nuclear
• Familiarity with tools such as SAP, EcoSys or Primavera
• A proactive, solution‑focused mindset

Qualifications & training

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance or related fields
• Progress toward a recognised professional accreditation (e.g., RICS, APM, CICES, PMI)
• Advanced proficiency in cost data management and analysis tools

Desirable:

• Training in cost control, estimating or forecasting
• Exposure to NEC/FIDIC contracts
• Experience with change control and performance reporting

What success looks like in this role

• Cost data is accurate, consistent, and delivered on time
• Forecasts reflect the latest, best‑known view
• Monthly reporting lands smoothly and informs confident decisions
• You build strong partnerships across the project
• You contribute to system and process improvements
• You support high standards of internal controls and audit compliance

Key measures & scope

• Potential line management of up to 3 Assistant Cost Engineers
• Close collaboration across project controls, planning, commercial, engineering and supplier teams

Reward & benefits

• Salary: £42,000 - £55,150
• Benefits allowance: £2,200
• Bonus: Up to 12.5%
• Holiday: 28 days + bank holidays
• Pension: Standard Rolls‑Royce SMR pension 12%
• Other benefits: 6x life assurance, 50% income protection, £250 new joiner payment
• Flexible working options available

Inclusion & accessibility

We value the unique perspectives and experiences that everyone brings. We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where you can be yourself and thrive. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage — from application to interview to your day‑to‑day work — we’re here to support you.

Security & checks

This role requires BPSS clearance. As part of the offer process, we’ll carry out standard background, security and financial checks. These are never assessed in isolation — individual circumstances and role context are always taken into account.

Pay Range: £42,000.00 - £55,125.00

Why Join Us?

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you. Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector‑jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

#LI-VS1 #LI-Hybrid

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR A career with Rolls‑Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls‑Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls‑Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low‑carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls‑Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future. We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths‑based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls‑Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our culture

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge. Rolls‑Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

Why join us? You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer: A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment. Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business. A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone can thrive.

What we offer At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important… Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands. Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls‑Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.

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