Senior Cost Estimator & Cost Estimator - Nuclear

ZipRecruiter; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcain Engineering seeks a Cost Estimator to join the Integrated Project Controls team for a pivotal role on Hinkley Point C, the UK's significant energy project. This role involves developing cost estimates, managing changes, and ensuring data compliance. With clear career progression and various benefits, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to energy sustainability while advancing professionally.

Benefits

Hybrid working – Work flexibly between home and site

Private medical & dental insurance

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Matched pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Ongoing training & development

Employee referral scheme

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Travel & life insurance

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale infrastructure or industrial projects.
• Strong understanding of cost estimation principles.
• Ability to produce structured reports for various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost estimates for project scopes.
• Produce estimating reports and provide cost commentary.
• Support implementation of change management processes.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

HND or equivalent in engineering, project management, or quantity surveying

Tools

Primavera P6

Active Risk Manager (ARM)

@Risk

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

About Vulcain Engineering

Vulcain Engineering was founded in the mid-2000s to specialise in energy and environment projects. Our knowledge of the energy and environment sector means we can support our customers at all stages of the engineering-procurement-construction-commissioning (EPCC) project lifecycle.

With operations in 16 countries and employing over 6,000 staff worldwide, our business responds to the needs of our clients by delivering expertise in the form of high added value engineering services.

Senior Cost Estimator & Cost Estimator - Bristol

Joining our Integrated Project Controls team, the Cost Estimator will be working as part of our central function that supports the delivery of one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe - Hinkley Point C.

This is a pivotal role on one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, Hinkley Point C, at the heart of the country’s transition to a low carbon future. As a Cost Estimator, you’ll play a direct role in delivering energy security and sustainability, using advanced tools to tackle complex cost forecasting, manage change, and help mitigate risk across a dynamic and evolving project environment.

Some of the main responsibilities of the Cost Estimator will include:

• Develop and maintain cost estimates for assigned project scopes, ensuring alignment with work and cost breakdown structures (WBS), and consistency across project baselines and control systems such as Primavera P6 and Active Risk Manager (ARM).
• Support the implementation of the change management process, including trend analysis, cost impact assessments, and the development of estimating inputs for change proposals, ensuring consistency and transparency in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Produce estimating reports aligned with the project reporting cycle, and provide cost and estimating commentary - highlighting variances, trends, and performance issues.
• Develop cost performance indicators and analytical tools to support project reviews and risk assessments.
• Work closely with project planners, risk managers, cost engineers, and delivery teams to ensure coherent and integrated control data.
• Participate in project and programme-level risk and performance reviews, providing inputs from an estimating perspective.
• Ensure estimating and change data complies with project governance, regulatory requirements, and security protocols.
• Support internal assurance activities by providing documentation, audit trails, and responding to quality assurance checks.

As Cost Estimator, you will have an opportunity to improve the quality, accuracy and efficiency of cost estimating - both through correct application of methods an data, but also by lessons learned and process improvement initiatives - adding to the longer term chance to apply lessons learned to Sizewell C (SZC).

It’s a challenging, high-impact position with long-term stability, backed by EDF and the UK Government. With clear progression routes into senior roles across estimating, project controls, planning, and commercial, this is a career-defining move for professionals ready to make a real difference.

Profile:

• HND or equivalent qualification in engineering, project management, quantity surveying, or a related field.
• Experience in estimating roles within large-scale infrastructure, energy, or industrial projects.
• Familiarity with project control systems such as Primavera P6, ARM, @Risk, and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated understanding of cost estimation principles, cost breakdown structures, and baseline control.
• You will have indefinite and independent right to work in the UK, due to the high level of security clearance required on several of our UK Nuclear sites.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills – you need to be confident working with complex data sets, cost breakdown structures, and project forecasts
• Clear communication skills and the ability to produce structured reports for a range of stakeholders, as well as articulate findings to non-specialists in a well-structured and easy-to-grasp manner

Why join us?

At Vulcain Engineering, we offer more than just a job, we offer a rewarding career with endless opportunities for growth and development. You'll be part of a talented team of professionals working on exciting and meaningful projects and making a real impact to the nuclear industry.

We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where your talents are valued, and your contributions are recognised.

Join us in shaping the future of the nuclear industry and driving innovation to new heights. If you are ready to take on new challenges and unlock your full potential, we invite you to apply for our Cost Estimator position.

Benefits

• Hybrid working – Work flexibly between home and site
• Private medical & dental insurance
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Matched pension scheme – Secure your future
• Cycle to work scheme
• Ongoing training & development – Invest in your growth
• Employee referral scheme
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Travel & life insurance
• Employee assistance program – Support when you need it

Equal Opportunities:

Vulcain Engineering UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and do not discriminate based on , , , , , , or any other protected characteristic.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.