Cost Engineer

Morson Edge; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm seeks a motivated Junior Quantity Surveyor or Junior Cost Engineer to join the commercial team supporting Thames Water projects. This hybrid role involves assisting with cost reporting, contract administration, and financial tracking across multiple projects. Ideal for candidates with up to 3 years of relevant experience. The position offers a 6-month contract with the potential for extension and opportunities for professional development within a major long-term water program.

Benefits

Structured development opportunities

Exposure to major UK water infrastructure projects

Qualifications

• Up to 3 years' experience in a QS, cost, commercial, or project controls role.
• Experience in utilities, construction, civils, water, infrastructure, or highways.
• Understanding of cost management principles (budgets, forecasts, accruals).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of monthly cost reports, forecasts, and valuations.
• Support NEC contract administration, documentation, and compliance.
• Track and manage change control and variations.
• Maintain cost databases, budgets, accruals, and tracking tools.
• Support procurement activities including RFQs and bid analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numerical skills

Reporting skills

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Degree/HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying or Engineering

Job description

ob Title

Junior Quantity Surveyor / Junior Cost Engineer

Location

London or Reading (Thames Water Region - hybrid with occasional site visits)

Contract

6 months (high likelihood of extension - project duration is 3 years)

Experience

Up to 3 years

Backgrounds

Open to construction, utilities, civil engineering, water, M&E, project controls, or other relevant cost/commercial backgrounds.

Overview

We are seeking a motivated Junior Quantity Surveyor or Junior Cost Engineer to join the commercial team supporting Thames Water infrastructure and capital maintenance projects. This role is ideal for someone with early career experience in cost management or commercial administration who wants to grow within a major long-term water programme.

You will support senior commercial staff with cost reporting, NEC contract administration, financial tracking, and change control across multiple projects within the Thames Water portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of monthly cost reports, forecasts, and valuations
• Support NEC contract administration, documentation, and compliance
• Track and help manage change control, compensation events, and variations
• Maintain and update cost databases, budgets, accruals, and cost tracking tools
• Support procurement activities including RFQs, bid analysis, and subcontract management
• Assist senior QS/Cost Engineers with payment applications, audits, and commercial governance
• Liaise with internal teams, engineers, site managers, and Thames Water stakeholders
• Contribute to risk reviews, commercial planning, and cost mitigation activities
• Attend occasional site visits to verify progress and support cost validation
• Maintain accurate commercial files, documentation, and reporting packs

Skills & Experience

• Up to 3 years' experience in a QS, cost, commercial, or project controls role
• Experience in utilities, construction, civils, water, infrastructure, energy, M&E, or highways welcomed
• Understanding of cost management principles (budgets, forecasts, accruals)
• NEC contract awareness is beneficial but not essential
• Strong analytical, numerical, and reporting skills
• Good Excel capability (VLOOKUP, formulas, data management)
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills
• Organised, proactive, and keen to develop professionally
• Degree/HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Project Controls, or related discipline preferred

What We Offer

• 6-month contract with a strong possibility of extension (programme is 3+ years)
• Hybrid working in London or Reading
• Structured development opportunities (RICS, ACostE, commercial career pathways)
• Exposure to major UK water infrastructure projects