Cost engineer
- gloucester, england, United Kingdom
- Permanent
- Full time
- £35 - £90 Per Hour
Job Description
ob Title: Cost Engineer
Department
Engineering / Commercial
Reports To
Engineering Manager / Operations Director
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Cost Engineer to support the quotation, costing, and process planning activities for precision-engineered components. The successful candidate will be responsible for analysing manufacturing requirements, developing cost models, estimating machining times, assessing material and treatment costs, and defining efficient production processes for components manufactured through CNC milling and turning operations.
The role requires a strong understanding of machining processes, material specifications, heat and surface treatments, manufacturing methods, and cost analysis to ensure accurate quotations and profitable production.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Estimation & Quotation
- Prepare accurate cost estimates for manufactured components from customer drawings, models, and specifications.
- Develop detailed cost breakdowns including:
- Raw materials
- CNC milling operations
- CNC turning operations
- Tooling requirements
- Heat treatment processes
- Surface finishing and coatings
- Inspection and quality requirements
- Packaging and logistics costs
Process Engineering
- Define manufacturing routes and production processes for new and existing components.
- Determine optimum sequence of operations to achieve quality, delivery, and cost targets.
- Establish cycle times for machining operations using machining data and industry standards.
- Recommend suitable machine tools, cutting tools, fixtures, and production methods.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.
CNC Milling & Turning
- Review component designs for manufacturability.
- Assess machining requirements for:
- 3, 4 and 5-axis CNC milling
- CNC turning and mill-turn operations
- Multi-operation component manufacture
Materials & Treatments
- Evaluate raw material requirements and costs.
- Maintain knowledge of engineering materials including:
- Aluminium alloys
- Stainless steels
- Carbon steels
- Titanium alloys
- Nickel-based alloys
- Brass and copper alloys
- Engineering plastics
Analysis & Reporting
- Maintain and improve manufacturing cost models and databases.
- Analyse actual production costs versus estimates.
- Investigate cost variances and provide recommendations.
- Generate reports and KPIs relating to profitability, efficiency, and cost performance.
- Support budget planning and capital investment evaluations.
Cross-Functional Support
- Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and Sales teams.
- Provide technical support during customer reviews and project kick-off meetings.
- Assist with new product introduction (NPI) activities.
- Support value engineering and design-for-manufacture initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a manufacturing, machining, or cost engineering environment.
- Strong understanding of CNC milling and CNC turning processes.
- Experience costing precision-machined components.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer specifications.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/MRP systems.
Desirable
- Experience within aerospace, defence, oil & gas, automotive, medical, or precision engineering sectors.
- Knowledge of CAD/CAM systems.
- Experience with process planning and routing development.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
Key Skills
- Manufacturing cost analysis
- CNC machining knowledge
- Process planning
- Engineering drawing interpretation
- Material selection and costing
- Heat treatment and surface treatment knowledge
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Commercial awareness
- Attention to detail
- Supplier management
- Time estimation and capacity planning
- Communication and stakeholder management
Performance Measures
- Quotation accuracy
- Cost estimate accuracy versus actual production costs
- Profitability of awarded work
- Response time for quotations
- Process improvement savings achieved
- On-time completion of costing activities
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Location: (Insert Location)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary for this role in Tewkesbury
For a Cost Engineer focused on CNC milling, turning, material treatments, process planning, and component costing in the Tewkesbury/Gloucestershire area, I would recommend the following salary ranges:
- Junior Cost Engineer (1-3 years' experience): £35,000 - £45,000
- Cost Engineer (3-7 years' experience): £45,000 - £60,000
- Senior Cost Engineer (7+ years' experience): £60,000 - £75,000+
- Principal / Lead Cost Engineer (strategic quotation ownership, customer-facing, aerospace or defence experience): £75,000 - £90,000+highestpayingjobs+1
For a manufacturing business in Tewkesbury producing precision-machined components and requiring expertise in:
- CNC milling and turning
- Material selection and costing
- Heat treatment and surface finishing
- Process routing and manufacturing engineering
- Customer quotations and margin analysis
This range should be competitive enough to attract candidates from aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, and precision engineering businesses in the Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Bristol, and Midlands markets.
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