Cost Engineer

Cost Engineer

Department: Cost Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Bristol

Description

Sagentia Defence is a leading consultancy at the forefront of innovation in the defence and security sectors, leveraging deep expertise in science and technology to address pressing challenges. Our collaborative approach with government departments and aerospace and defence organisations ensures we meet current demands while preparing for the future. We are seeking experienced Cost Engineers to join our P3M team in Bristol.

Joining Sagentia Defence means becoming part of a top UK consultancy, where your skills are valued and nurtured. As part of a global brand, you will have access to wider development opportunities. We are committed to providing an exciting, evolving, and supportive work environment. If you are passionate about making a difference and eager to work on high-profile defence programmes, Sagentia Defence is the place for you.

Key Responsibilities

You will provide cost estimates and modelling support to help the UK MoD and industry make better decisions. Your work will involve collaboration with government bodies, international institutions, and prime contractors, supporting procurement decisions through analytical thinking, operational performance modelling, and cost estimation for procurement and in-service costs. You may work independently within customer teams or lead workshops with stakeholders to improve project cost understanding.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Essential:

• Proven experience in a Cost Engineering or Analyst role within a P3M environment.
• Degree-level education or equivalent, with relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CCEA, CPCostE, CEng).
• Experience in the defence sector or military background.
• Good knowledge of statistics for parametric modelling, sampling, and risk analysis.
• Knowledge of Investment Appraisals, Trade Studies, Business Cases, and Cost Benefit Analysis.
• Experience with estimating methods including bottom-up, analogous, and parametric techniques for hardware and software systems.
• Ability to develop estimates considering design, manufacture, support costs, allowances, overheads, profit, and government assets.
• Development of robust cost models that pass verification and validation.
• Understanding of uncertainty assessment, risk analysis, and risk management in cost modelling.
• Experience supporting bid processes like PQQ, ITT, ITN.
• Strong verbal, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize under pressure.
• Willingness to travel across the UK as needed.

Desirable:

• Membership of professional bodies (e.g., ICEAA, ACostE).
• Experience in consultancy or working with government clients.
• Knowledge of Visual Basic.
• Experience with independent verification of cost models.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Experience with risk tools ModelRisk.

Other Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK.
• Ability to pass BPSS checks and obtain SC clearance.
• Minimum 5 years' UK residency for SC clearance.

You can expect:

• Work in a dynamic, impactful environment.
• Join a forward-thinking, diverse organization.
• Supportive and empowering work culture.
• Tailored training and development programs.
• Opportunities for long-term career growth.
• An environment that encourages creativity and innovation.