Cost Engineer – Rail / Civil Infrastructure

About the role

We are looking for a Cost Engineer to join a large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary rail infrastructure programme. You will support the programme’s cost management and financial control, ensuring budgets, forecasts and changes are tracked accurately and reported clearly. The role works closely with planning, commercial and delivery teams, providing project leadership with the cost information needed for decision‑making.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare, maintain and monitor project budgets, cost plans and cost breakdown structures.
• Track actual and committed costs against budget and forecast, and analyse and explain variances.
• Develop and update cost forecasts, including estimate‑at‑completion (EAC) and cash‑flow projections.
• Assess the cost impact of change requests and variations, and support the change management process from submission to approval.
• Maintain cost control systems, databases and financial records, and keep data accurate and auditable.
• Produce periodic cost reports and dashboards for project and programme management.
• Work with planning teams to align cost and schedule data, including earned value analysis where applicable.
• Coordinate with commercial and delivery teams on cost‑related matters, risks and opportunities.
• Support audits, reviews and continuous improvement of cost control procedures.

Required profile

• At least 5 years experience in cost engineering, cost control or commercial support on design and/or construction projects.
• Solid working knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting and change control processes.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience with cost management software such as Primavera Unifier, EcoSys or Cleopatra.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to present cost data to non‑specialist stakeholders.
• Experience on projects of significant scale and complexity, ideally infrastructure or transport.
• Rail project experience.
• Middle East experience, particularly in the UAE.
• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) and with FIDIC or NEC contract forms.
• Experience with reporting and visualisation tools such as Power BI.
• Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Membership of a professional body (e.g., AACE, RICS, ICE) is an advantage.

Required skills

• Earned value analysis
• Cost control
• Cost engineering
• Forecasting
• Advanced Excel
• Change control processes
• Budgeting
• Cost reporting
• Primavera Unifier
• EcoSys
• Cleopatra
• Power BI

What we offer

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Paid time off and flexible work options.
• Retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan.
• Well‑being resources and employee assistance program.