Senior Cost Engineer

NES Fircroft is partnering with a major Oil & Gas operator to recruit an experienced Senior Cost Engineer to provide cost engineering and project controls support across the full project lifecycle. This role will support project teams with budgeting, forecasting, cost control, performance analysis and change management, providing accurate and timely cost information to support effective project decision-making. Key Responsibilities Develop, maintain and monitor project budgets, cost baselines, commitments, actuals, accruals, Value of Work Done (VOWD), contingency, cash flow and forecasts. Establish and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), project coding and cost-control frameworks. Prepare and challenge monthly forecasts and Estimates at Completion (EAC), ensuring alignment with project scope, schedule, risk and delivery strategy. Analyse project cost performance, including variances, trends, forecast movements and emerging cost risks and opportunities. Identify and communicate potential overruns, underruns and cost issues, providing early warning to project leadership. Support change management by assessing cost impacts, tracking approved changes and managing contingency movements. Review contractor forecasts, progress claims, variations, invoices, commitments and supporting cost information. Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, Schedulers, Estimators, Finance, Contracts and Procurement to maintain an integrated view of project cost performance. Provide cost input into project reviews, business planning, funding activities, assurance processes and management reporting. Maintain accurate, auditable and traceable project cost records. Support projects through planning, execution, handover and close-out, including final cost reconciliation and estimate-versus-actual analysis. Provide guidance and support to less-experienced cost engineering and project controls personnel where required. Identify opportunities to improve cost-control processes, tools and reporting. Skills and Experience 7–10 years' experience within the Oil & Gas industry in cost engineering, cost control, project controls or a closely related discipline. Experience is not limited to Coal Seam Gas (CSG). Demonstrated experience supporting Oil & Gas projects through planning, execution and close-out. Strong practical knowledge of: Budgeting and forecasting Commitments and actual costs Accruals and VOWD Estimates at Completion (EAC) Cash flow and contingency management Variance and trend analysis Change control Contractor cost management Project close-out and reconciliation Experience reviewing contractor forecasts, claims, variations, invoices and commitments. Strong analytical capability and advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Experience with SAP, EcoSys, Power BI, Primavera P6 or equivalent project cost and reporting systems is desirable. Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills. Strong commercial judgement, attention to detail and ability to identify emerging cost risks and opportunities. Qualifications Relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, quantity surveying, construction management, finance, business, project management or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent practical experience in cost engineering or project controls may also be considered. Relevant professional certification is desirable but not essential. About You You will be an experienced cost professional who can work effectively across multidisciplinary project teams, interpret complex cost information and communicate clear insights to project stakeholders. You will bring a proactive approach to cost control, strong attention to detail and the confidence to challenge assumptions constructively while maintaining accurate and reliable project cost information. 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.