Cost Control Engineer

Locations: (Multiple) MOD Abbey Wood Bristol, MOD Manchester Piccadilly Gate & HMNB Devonport

Project Controls is a key function within DE&S/SDA and plays a vital role in ensuring the success of projects by providing Cost Control, Estimating, Planning & Scheduling and Risk Management. What makes us unique is that we are involved in all phases of a project from the proposal through to completion, ensuring work is delivered on time and within budget.

We are currently recruiting for Principal Cost Control Engineers to provide robust support across a variety of exciting projects and portfolios and become an integral part of the wider Project Controls function moving forward. Working in a challenging environment with countless opportunities for progression this role will make full use of your skill set and technical ability working hand-in-hand with sub-disciplines on significant Defence contracts – often capital projects worth from £5M to £750M+ in value. The role of the Cost Engineer is to work closely with our industrial partners on single-source-contracts. Projects will be focused around Land, In-Service Submarines, Air or Corporate Services and could range from supplying missiles and weapons, aircraft development or leading, cutting-edge initiatives.

Cost Engineering is currently a changing and developing area within DE&S / SDA, refocusing activities to become a vibrant new generation and this position will provide you with the opportunity to help shape this transformation and move Cost Engineering into the future.

Responsibilities for DE&S / SDA Cost Control Engineer

As a Principal Cost Engineer you will be responsible for contributing too and managing the delivery of Cost Engineering services providing audit and assurance of single source procurement; you will integrate relevant pricing, risk and rates information and will be responsible for providing cost assurance to ensure that prices are fair, driving efficient delivery and key investment decisions. The ability to engage and manage stakeholders appropriately and effectively is crucial, ultimately achieving a value for money outcome for Defence.

As part of this role, you will be involved in the delivery of tasks which could require:
• Lead a team of cost engineers and provide mentoring and coaching to ensure continuous improvement.
• To communicate complex project cost engineering data to key member of the projects, programme and DE&S leadership in a simple and understandable way.
• To communicate and influence team member and leadership within DE&S Project and Supply chain within the Cost Engineering technical field
• Review Contractors’ proposals and assesses them against the Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) Guidance for Single Source Contracting.
• Lead engagement with defence contractors, the customer and other DE&S / SDA stakeholders.
• Manage cost engineering investigations, guiding resourcing and planning.

What you will be assessed against

To be found successful you must demonstrate the following essential criteria:
• A mixture of skills covering a range of Cost Control / Planning & Scheduling and the integration with cost management, principles
• Proven management and development skills
• Demonstration of analytical skills in complex problem solving
• Demonstrable understanding of company systems – Finance/Production/Accounting/Budgeting/Estimating
• A knowledge of Basis of Estimate and Quality Assurance Processes

It would benefit your application should you be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
• Knowledge and experience which meets the standards required to gain Accreditation by the Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE)
• Experience and knowledge of single source contracting regulations

If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following technical competencies:
• Controlling a Project
• Stakeholder Management

If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions

What’s in it for you?

You will receive a generous benefits package including market leading employer pension contributions of around 21% of your salary (not including any personal contribution), annual bonuses, a flexible working pattern to fit you where possible, 25 days holiday +1 additional day every year you work up to 30 days with opportunity for movement and promotion. Some of our sites include an onsite gym, onsite restaurants, cafes and much more.

Find out more about what we offer by clicking here or by reading more about our Employee Benefits.

Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

About your team

The Project Controls Function is responsible for providing the right information, at the right time, to support better-informed decisions. Driving accountability, responsibility and efficiency across DE&S, our Project Controls teams are involved in all phases of every project helping to predict and oversee the time and cost management of these projects. From Estimating, Risk Management and Cost Control, to Planning and Scheduling and Project Controls Management, our people are crucial to the successful delivery of our work.