Cost Engineer

Salary: £48,000 – £54,000 per year

Cost Engineer / Modeller – Defence / Weapons Sector

Location Westbury – £40-£45K + Great Benefits

Ideally SC Cleared although my client will accept those who are able to go through security clearance.

The Job
From your first day with US you will be helping organisations across the sector to answer their important questions: How much does it cost? How good is it, when can we have it? What are the wider implications?
You will receive ‘on-the-job’ training, support and coaching to problem solve in a multitude of ways: understanding the scope of research technology, estimating costs of complex systems, developing analysis tools and techniques and providing advice and support to our customers.

There is no ‘average’ day here, you could be spending the day at the office undertaking detailed data analysis or working at a customer’s site building relationships with high ranking military and civil customers. You will contribute to the planning, management and delivery of contracts that typically range from one month to a year. You will be highly mobile, able to travel between customer sites (the majority of which are within the south west) and able to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

Why US?
We offer similar challenges and opportunities as large consultancy firms but with the advantages of a small business environment: we encourage autonomy while maintaining a team environment and we provide a sense of ownership. You will be working in an environment where challenging the status-quo is encouraged and necessary as a core member of a collaborative effort across our portfolio of work.

The Team
Our staff have a range of technical backgrounds, including mathematics, systems engineering, software engineering, naval architecture, physics, mechanical and production engineering. As a small company, it is important that everyone can contribute and support one another’s work flexibly.

Your Experience and Knowledge
We are looking for someone that is:

* Personable, flexible and able to collaborate effectively

* Able to take on a challenge and deliver results

You will enjoy working within a team environment and hence be able to communicate effectively. You will enjoy simplifying and rationalising complex problems.

Further detail around this role is provided in the table below.

Initial Role Description

Required Training/ Education

A particular set of qualifications is not necessary if the job holder has the appropriate skills and experience, but we would expect the job holder to be qualified to A Levels / HNC / degree level or equivalent.

Required Skills and Experience

Able to demonstrate relevant experience of:

* Experience of collecting, collating and interpreting cost or financial data from previous projects, supplier estimates, internal experts and published sources.

* Expert user of MS Excel, familiarity and confidence in using spreadsheets to create basic to complex models.

* Experience of analysing cost data and generating incisive outputs and advice to clients.

* A track record of effective liaison with clients and stakeholders.

* Conversant with MS Word and Powerpoint.

Desirable Skills and Experience

* Able to develop life cycle cost/schedule/risk estimates for future acquisitions.

* Undertake data identification, collection and normalisation from appropriate sources.

* Present and communicate analytical information including data visualisation.

* Assist with Whole Life cost Estimating including FOREX and Financial treatment

* Knowledge of project controls concepts, practices, and procedures, specifically project schedules, work breakdown structure, risk and budgets.

* Understanding of MOD policies and procedures for Cost Estimation and Modelling, and associated supporting documentation (JSP 507, JSP 655, AQUA book, Green Book).

* Portfolio, programme and project management (benefits realisation, evidence management etc).

* Experience working with DE&S preferable.

Company Description

Our Work

We are a small consultancy providing analysis and decision support, primarily to the Defence Industry.
The analysis we provide includes cost estimating and modelling, risk, schedule and benefits. Our analysis methods are applied to a wide range of novel technology and research topics. Recent topics have included Augmented Reality, Additive Manufacturing, Robotics and Autonomy, Advanced Forensics and usage of Genetic Data.

Location

We are based in the village of Heywood. Heywood is 5 mins from Westbury, which has good rail links with Bath, Bristol, Salisbury, etc.

The Offer

Role Progression

While you will be joining us as a Model Developer, you will have opportunity to develop general Consultancy skills and move into a variety of roles. With time you will be expected to lead tasks, lead customer engagement, develop business, manage a team and contribute to Continuous Improvement.

Training and Mentoring

You will receive ‘on-the-job’ training, support and coaching. This could include qualifications around Risk Analysis, Schedule Analysis, Project or Programme Management. You will be actively encouraged to obtain professional membership accreditation and will be supported in your ongoing professional development.

Benefits

* 25 day holiday entitlement, Professional Institute Annual Fees

* Post probation: Generous pension scheme, health and life insurance