Senior Cost Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to provide cost engineering and project controls support across the full project lifecycle, from early project assessment through execution and closeout. The role will work closely with project and business stakeholders to ensure accurate forecasting, budget control, cost performance analysis and effective change management, providing clear insights to support commercial and project decision-making. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, commitments, actuals, accruals, contingency and latest estimates. Provide regular cost reporting, variance analysis, trend analysis and forecast commentary. Establish and maintain cost breakdown structures, project coding, budget baselines and cost control frameworks. Identify and communicate emerging cost risks, opportunities, overruns and underruns. Work collaboratively with project managers, engineers, planners, finance, procurement, contracts and field teams to maintain effective cost control. Assess and track the cost impacts of project changes, including contingency and approved variations. Support monthly and quarterly forecasting, business planning, portfolio reporting and funding activities. Review contractor cost reports, invoices, timesheets and commitments to ensure accuracy and cost certainty. Provide cost input into project reviews, governance forums and management reporting. Support project closeout, including final cost reconciliation, estimate-versus-actual analysis and lessons learned. Provide guidance and support to junior cost engineers and project controls personnel where required. About You Significant experience in cost engineering, cost control, project controls, commercial management or a related discipline. Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, commitments, accruals, contingency and change control. Experience within energy, oil & gas, resources, infrastructure, construction, maintenance or other complex project environments. Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate cost data into clear business insights. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with cost/project controls systems such as SAP, EcoSys, Power BI or Primavera P6 is desirable. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong attention to detail, commercial awareness and the ability to manage competing priorities. A proactive approach to identifying and resolving cost issues. Qualifications A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Finance, Business, Project Management or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered. Professional certification in project controls, cost engineering, project management or quantity surveying is desirable. This position is only available to candidates with full Australian working rights. With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.