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We need an AWEsome Cost Engineer to join our Project Controls team at AWE.

It's a truly exciting time to join us with a lot of scope for progression and work on fascinating projects within Project Controls. (And don't forget, every second Friday off!)

Location: Hybrid and flexible working, with our offices based in Berkshire between Reading, Basingstoke and Newbury with onsite parking and public transport services.

Salary: Starting at £35,810 this is very much open to upwards negotiation if you have the skills and experience that we need.

What's exciting is:

You will be joining the business to be part of one of the most complex infrastructure programmes in the country at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The UK government has committed substantial investment into improving our infrastructure, so we are building a talented team to make the most of this opportunity. It is a new approach for AWE and we need someone who can support a new programme in its set up then evolution into a full, long-term project.

As a Cost Engineer, you will be working in Project Controls with responsibility for all aspects of Cost within one of the Programme Controls Teams. You will be responsible for the establishment, development, maintenance of timely, accurate cost data, and reports, including forecasts, performance analysis, earned value, cash flows, and monthly reports on the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP).

All of this will support the project in minimising the Estimate At Completion (EAC) for the Programme in accordance with best value.

Every day is different and could include any or all of the following:

Reporting and data extrapolation

Production of weekly reports in Oracle Fusion using tools such as EXCEL: Pivots and Formulas such as LOOKUP to run and extrapolate data.
The reports inform project teams: How are we doing? What will we spend? Factors to consider in terms of cost include labour resource and commitments such as purchase orders.
Focus could be 1 year or 10 years in terms of projection.
Physical run of reports in Fusion - mainly bespoke extrapolation of specific data.
Amending and adapting spreadsheets so they are fit for purpose for each report.
Identifying anomalies in data then analysing and interrogating the information before providing an analysis to support the project manager with understanding Cost.
Accruals / Prepayment - this is key as it requires a good understanding of the principles of prepayments to ensure compliance within Project reporting.
Checking and actioning project transfers - moving the correct transfers between projects or within a project.
Understanding source of transactions and data flow to ensure that the Cost transactions are understandable.
ADFDI Uploads - (Interface to Fusion upload) to create forecast data.
Utilising spreadsheets for forecasting.
Oracle projects housekeeping - ensuring work break down structure is up to date and reporting flags are maintained - i.e., charging tasks are correct.
Maintenance of asset definitions for MOD reporting.
Using EVM (Earned Value Management) tools and data effectively
Managing change control by ensuring data and financial values stack up. Is what we are asking for in the system?
Trend analysis - reviewing data such as manpower/ forecasting/ travel and subsistent - this varies, the project area you are in dictates what costs are key.
Maintenance of project asset definitions to identify physical assets within a project for reporting purposes.
Supporting annual budget preparation data for construction
Early engagement through helping with estimation and forecasting by providing the information used to estimate -such as historical data and commitments.

Stakeholder Engagement

Continuous engagement with stakeholders: Planners/ Project Managers/ Task Managers to agree the monthly cycle and commitments.
Attending forecast meetings as an integral participant as Cost Engineer input to interpret and explain the data is key.
Immersion within the project to ensure a complete understanding - keeping up to speed with what the Project Manager knows or is planning in order to advise all stakeholders and explain the "why" behind issues.
Using a blend of charisma and negotiation skills to challenge and influence Project Managers and Task Managers.
Engaging with Procurement to keep up to date with all of the challenges and movement within the supply chain and how the orders are progressing through the system.
Making sure that colleagues use the data provided by ensuring it is useful and in language that is easily understandable.
Raising level of financial awareness within Project Teams.

We would like you to demonstrate or have experience of:

Professionally qualified with chartered or equivalent status
Success in a Project Controls environment or similar Cost role on a major construction project
Adept with tech such as Cost tools, Excel and IT
Building rapport and creating great relationships

What's AWEsome about life as an AWE Cost Engineer:

You will be working in a highly classified environment with layers of complexity in terms of process, there is a sense of achievement - like crossing the finish line.
Meeting deadlines - running on adrenalin and keeping the plates spinning whilst influencing and making yourself heard.
It is not about filling out spreadsheets, it is about having the ear of key stakeholders and genuinely influencing decision making. It feels great when people ask for advice about how to go about things.

Why work for us?

AWE has been voted one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK again this year. So, when you work with us, you can take advantage of a great package of benefits and development opportunities on top of your salary:

You can find out more about our benefits

To apply: Please log into to submit your CV and a covering letter. Make sure that you highlight all relevant skills and experience for this job. Give us a clear view of what you can bring to the role and also why you want to work with the team here at AWE.

You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain Security/ Developed Vetting Clearance (funded by the AWE) in order to start with us in this role. It can take several months for clearance to come through.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Important things you need to know:

Interviews will be scheduled during working hours
Interviews will be 90 minutes on TEAMS and will include a 5-to-10-minute presentation
There is a requirement to be on site up to 3 days per week

For more information about the role or the recruitment process, get in touch with me (Sunflower) at:

(Sorry agencies - all recruitment for this role is being managed by our internal resourcing team here at AWE)

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Benefits: Every 2nd Friday off