Cost Engineer

Cost Engineer

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Wood

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage project budgets and track costs to ensure financial control throughout project lifecycles.
  • Company: Join Wood, a leader in the emerging energy sector with a commitment to diversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, 33 days leave, and private medical cover.
  • Other info: Collaborate with global experts and enjoy tailored development plans for your career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on meaningful projects while developing your professional skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and experience in cost management required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Wood is currently looking for an experienced Cost Engineer to join us in our Stockton office on a full‑time, permanent basis.

What We Can Offer

  • Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across emerging energy sectors
  • Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business
  • Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
  • Flexible benefits package; inclusive of 33 days annual leave (including public holidays), generous contributory pension scheme, private medical cover, 4x base salary life insurance; all of these and more that can be adapted to suit your own lifestyle
  • Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
  • Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession

The Role

As a Cost Engineer, you will prepare and report on project cost budgets and the tracking, management and reporting of project expenditure to enable robust control of projects throughout their life cycle. You will support senior members of the cost team through the preparation and reporting of project cost budgets, ensuring budgets and reports are prepared to the required level of detail and accuracy in accordance with contractual requirements and Wood policies, procedures and standards. This will typically involve the review, analysis and reporting of actual and forecasted project costs against the project approved budget.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, issue and maintain Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) for specific scopes
  • Liaise with other Project Controls disciplines and functions, assist and support in the development of project budgets in accordance with the Basis of Estimate including statements of work scope, assumptions, man‑hour estimates, narratives and review & comment of client documents
  • Liaise with procurement, finance and time‑capture functions, and third parties as required, to ensure accurate and timely capture of procurement, materials, subcontract and labour man‑hour costs
  • Ensure costs are allocated accurately in accordance with approved project WBS
  • Liaise with engineering, procurement and construction functions, and others as required, to maintain awareness of project activities and their impact on the project budget, schedule and cost forecast
  • Facilitate and manage the project work approval process in terms of accurate cost code allocation and initial budget set‑up and approvals
  • Develop and maintain project cost budgets using appropriate software applications
  • Monitor and control cost commitments and expenditures through all phases of project lifecycle
  • Liaise with planning as required to ensure accuracy in project cost phasing and forecasting
  • Prepare and provide project cost performance reports in accordance with project reporting requirements
  • Prepare and issue updates to project cost forecasts
  • Monitor and report on cost impact of project manpower forecasts
  • Develop and issue project change orders / variations in accordance with engineering and construction change notifications
  • Facilitate and communicate cost and schedule impact of change notifications
  • Monitor overall project cost performance and contingency drawdown
  • Attend project meetings as required
  • Coordinate the project cost close‑out process

Qualifications

Typically requires ISCED level 6 (Bachelors) Degree in a relevant technical or business discipline (or equivalent gained through relevant vocational training and/or industry experience). Incumbents will typically have relevant cost experience. Proficient knowledge of cost software and related principles, tools and techniques including budgeting, forecasting and cash‑flow. Proficient knowledge of Project Execution Procedures for Cost Management including Change Management. Proficient understanding of WBS & CBS structures and project reporting capabilities. Proficient ability to develop project cost budgets and change estimates. Proficient ability to prepare cost reports. Understanding of change management and associated cost and schedule processes. Understanding of earned value application, cost and schedule variance analyses/trending and what‑if scenarios. Understanding of project management principles and techniques. Understanding of Cost Management, Change Control, Planning & Risk Analysis & Management.

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non‑exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Cost Engineer employer: Wood

Wood is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stockton where you can engage with meaningful projects in the emerging energy sectors. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, competitive salaries, and a flexible benefits package including generous leave and professional development opportunities, Wood fosters a culture of growth and collaboration among its employees, ensuring that you are well-supported in your career journey.

Wood

Contact Details:

Wood Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Cost Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Cost Engineer role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Wood and understanding their projects and values. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in what we do, so come armed with questions that show you’ve done your homework!

Tip Number 3

Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to cost management and project controls. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and showcase your experience effectively.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Wood.

We think you need these skills to ace Cost Engineer

Cost Management
Budgeting
Forecasting
Cash Flow Management
Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS)
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Cost Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with 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 passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of cost management principles.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires proficiency in cost software and project management techniques, make sure to highlight any relevant tools or software you've used. We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy and ready to hit the ground running!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Wood

Know Your Numbers

As a Cost Engineer, you'll be dealing with budgets and forecasts, so brush up on your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed project costs in the past, including any software tools you used.

Understand the Project Lifecycle

Familiarise yourself with the entire project lifecycle and how cost management fits into each phase. This will help you articulate your understanding of how to monitor and control costs effectively during the interview.

Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

You'll need to liaise with various teams, so highlight your experience working cross-functionally. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with engineering, procurement, and finance teams.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect questions about WBS, CBS, and change management processes. Brush up on these concepts and be ready to explain how you've applied them in previous roles, as this will show your technical proficiency and readiness for the role.