Cost Engineer

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, partnering closely with Project Managers, and proactively identifying risks and opportunities to optimise performance.

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.

• 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 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 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. You should 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 experience/knowledge to support development in this role.
• Knowledge of relevant Health and Safety legislation, preferably in a highly regulated working environment.

This is a site‑based role requiring a 5‑day week as per Hunterston B Site hours. The site offers flexible working via an optional 9‑day fortnight.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits (details available on our Careers website).

Application details

All successful candidates will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks.