Cost Engineer/Project Controls Engineer

Cost Engineer/Project Controls Engineer

Darlington, Permanent - Full time, Hybrid (4 days on site) Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 basic + benefits

About the Role

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-driven Cost Engineer to join our growing Project Controls function. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced project environments and enjoys working closely with both project teams and finance to ensure accurate forecasting, robust cost control, and strong commercial insight across the project lifecycle.

You will play a key role in monitoring, controlling, and forecasting project costs, while supporting the development of reliable financial models and ensuring timely, accurate reporting for stakeholders. This position offers excellent exposure to major projects and the opportunity to influence financial performance and decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce weekly and monthly cost reports, including cashflow, actuals, forecasts (ETC/EAC), variance analysis, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure timely collection, validation, and processing of cost data (POs, invoices, timesheets, schedules, contracts, subcontractor data, day rates, DPRs).
• Work closely with Project Managers, department leads, and budget holders to support accurate project forecasting.
• Maintain and update the Cost Management System (CMS), ensuring accuracy in labour summaries, POs, supplier invoices, and project schedules.
• Participate in monthly cost review meetings and present financial updates to senior stakeholders.
• Assist with financial planning, budgeting, and modelling for strategic initiatives.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of business intelligence tools, dashboards, and cost models.
• Liaise closely with finance and treasury teams to ensure smooth data flow and reliable month-end reporting.
• Analyse KPIs, investigate variances, and provide recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Support tender feedback processes and contribute to continual improvement of project budgeting and forecasting procedures.

What We're Looking For Essential:

• HNC/HND or equivalent in a cost-related or numerate discipline, or strong relevant experience.
• Experience in Cost Engineering, Cost Control, or Project Controls within engineering, construction, offshore, manufacturing, or similar industries.
• Strong numeracy and analytical capability with proven ability to reconcile complex cost information.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office (Excel in particular).

Desirable

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Experience across full project lifecycles.
• Familiarity with cost management systems or BI tools.

Key Behaviours

• Exceptional attention to detail with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to challenge and question cost data constructively.
• Collaborative approach, with confidence working across multiple departments.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile engineering and infrastructure projects.
• Clear development pathways within Project Controls and Finance.
• Supportive team culture with scope to contribute to process improvements and strategic decision-making