Senior Cost Engineer

Mventech; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in mining and project services is seeking a Senior Cost Engineer to develop dynamic operating and capital cost models for various projects in South Africa. The role requires a degree in a relevant field and at least 4 years of experience in mining cost engineering. Responsibilities include building adaptable cost models, financial model development, and delivering sensitivity analyses. Competitive remuneration and opportunities to engage with key stakeholders are offered.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in mining cost engineering, techno-economic modeling, or project controls.
• Strong understanding of mining schedules, operational drivers, and cost structures.
• Ability to run scenario analysis and identify key value drivers.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a dynamic cost model driven by the LoM schedule and operational drivers.
• Split costs by Work Breakdown Structure and classify costs into Capex and Opex categories.
• Provide inputs into the corporate financial model and validate integration between cost model outputs and financial model results.

Skills

Advanced Excel modelling

Power BI dashboard development

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Degree in Financial Management, Industrial Engineering, Economics, or related technical discipline

Tools

Power BI

Job description

About Mventech

Mventech's team has dedicated professionals serving the mining industry, with a significant focus on Turnkey & Project Services, Engineering Services, and Operational Improvement Programmes.

We have vast experience in energy efficiency projects, new concept development, engineering & infrastructure design, and systems and business optimisation.

Presently Mventech has delivery channels in the energy, mining, and industrial sectors, and quality and excellence are paramount with each engagement. Mventech hires enthusiastic, and professional personal who are passionate about what they do.

About the Position

The Senior Cost Engineer (Techno-Economic Engineer) is responsible for developing and maintaining dynamic operating and capital cost models.

These models will drive decision-making by providing transparent, auditable, and flexible cost outputs for multiple mining and processing projects.

The role ensures that sensitivities, value drivers, and cost breakdowns are clearly identified, enabling robust financial and operational planning. The techno-economic engineer will be responsible to identify, model, and integrate all technical elements impacting the economics of our projects.

The engineer will be responsible for the full value chain from inputs, processing, to outputs, and finally integrating the financial models with our financial modelling experts' support. In addition, the engineer may also be required to develop or update the financial model itself, ensuring seamless integration between technical cost outputs and corporate finance requirements.

Position: Senior Cost Engineer
Location: Centurian, Southdowns Office Park
Employment Type: Full time

Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• Education: Degree in Financial Management, Industrial Engineering, Economics, or related technical discipline
• Experience: 4+ years in mining cost engineering, techno economic modelling, or project controls
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of mining schedules, operational drivers, and cost structures, advanced Excel modelling (Power Query, Power Pivot, VBA desirable)
• Power BI dashboard development and data modelling
• Knowledge of procurement, vendor pricing, and cost escalation logic
• Basic financial modelling skills: cashflow generation, discounting, tax treatment, and scenario analysis
• Analytical skills: Ability to run scenario analysis, sensitivities, and identify key value drivers
• Communication: Skilled at translating technical outputs into clear insights for executives and stakeholders
• Leadership and communication skills, with proven ability to work in a team and engage with key stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)

Key Responsibilities

• Dynamic Cost Model Development – Build and maintain a cost model driven by the LoM schedule and operational drivers, ensuring adaptability to different mining options, sequencing, and processing variants. Incorporate sensitivity analysis and value-driver identification.
• Cost Structuring and Classification – Split costs by Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), procurement package, discipline, commodity, and client-specific attributes. Classify costs into Capex, Sustaining Capital (SIB), and Opex categories. Incorporate full labour detail down to individual job profiles and Trackless Mobile Machines (TMMs).
• Financial Model Development – Provide inputs into the corporate financial model (cashflows, cost breakdowns, sensitivities). Build or maintain the financial model where required, ensuring alignment with accounting, tax, and financing assumptions. Validate integration between cost model outputs and financial model results.

Outputs and Deliverables

• Produce Control Budget Estimates (CBE)
• Generate cashflow schedules aligned with project and financial reporting requirements
• Provide financial model inputs and, when required, the financial model itself
• Develop Power BI dashboards for real-time reporting and decision support
• Deliver sensitivity analyses and value-driver reports to highlight key levers of project economics
• Maintain governance and documentation: auditability, traceability, model logic, data lineage, user guidelines; support peer reviews, version control, and model governance processes

Key Deliverables

• Dynamic LoM-driven cost model with scenario and variant capability
• Control Budget Estimate (CBE) with full cost breakdowns
• Cashflow projections aligned with financial reporting
• Financial model (where required) and/or validated financial model inputs
• Power BI dashboards for project and executive reporting
• Sensitivity and value-driver analysis reports
• Labour and TMM registers with cost rollups
• Model documentation and governance records

Send your resume, cover letter, and any relevant work samples to (email) with the subject: Cost Engineer. Be sure to include the position title in the subject line.

We look forward to hearing from you.