If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: £49,830 - £78,770 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Closing Date: 30th November 2026
Let us introduce the role
AWE has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Cost Engineer to play a key part in shaping the success of AWE’s most critical projects. As a senior member of our Project Controls team, you’ll bring expertise, oversight and insight to ensure our projects are cost‑efficient, well‑managed and supported by high‑quality data. If you thrive on driving performance, enabling informed decision‑making and being a trusted partner to project teams, this role offers the challenge and influence you’re looking for.
Who are we looking for?
We do need you to have the following:
- Evidence of working with Cost management software
- Experience of developing effective stakeholder relationships.
- History of working in a project environment
- Good standard of general education, including business /project management qualification or equivalent or proven level of experience
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:
- Prepared, monitored and the control of forecasts and budgets for specified projects, including change control.
- Provided trended data to the Project Manager based on performance to date and emerging trends including making recommendations.
- Interrogated systems and performance to ascertain actual expenditure and project accruals as needed.
- Prepared of cost reports, including trend analysis and early warnings where necessary.
- Performed and supported other Cost Engineer requirements as requested.
- Maintained and promoted high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player.
- Conducted full and detailed SPI, CPI variance analysis and subsequent root cause analysis, followed by provision of narrative, recommendations & recovery planning in accordance with monthly reporting timescales.
- Established the Project Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and lead on the preparation of cost studies utilising historical data. Developing benchmarking information to meet specific needs.
- Implemented appropriate procedures, processes and systems to ensure the quality and consistency of data.
- Tracked manpower productivity and analysing time booked to projects including resource usage vs. planned, resource constraints, etc. and make any relevant recommendations to the Project Manager.
Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:
AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
- 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.
Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis.
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Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
- We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
- Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
