Cost Engineer

Lewis Woolcott is an Australian project advisory consultancy specialising in the commercial and performance disciplines that underpin successful major projects. We work alongside government organisations, contractors, asset owners and project delivery teams across infrastructure, energy, resources and utilities. Our people combine hands-on project experience with specialist expertise across commercial management, project controls, PMO, planning, risk, procurement and dispute resolution.

As a result of ongoing growth supporting major infrastructure projects, we are looking for a Senior Cost Engineer / Controller to manage cost controlling and reporting on project costs across active projects, providing commercial and cost support to project and management teams. This role can be Brisbane or Sydney based.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, control and report on all project costs, ensuring expenditure remains within approved budgets
• Prepare, maintain and update project cost reports, forecasts and cash-flow projections
• Track commitments, accruals and actual costs against budget, investigating and explaining variances
• Establish and maintain cost-coding structures and ensure accurate allocation of costs
• Review and verify purchase orders, subcontractor claims, supplier invoices and progress payments
• Assist the project team in preparing cost data for contract variations, claims and change orders
• Support month-end financial processes, including cost-to-complete and earned-value analysis
• Liaise with project managers, commercial managers and finance to ensure accurate, timely cost information
• Identify cost trends, risks and opportunities and escalate to relevant stakeholders
• Maintain cost-management systems and ensure data integrity throughout the project lifecycle

Required Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Qualifications: Degree or diploma in Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Accounting, Construction Management or related discipline; construction white card preferred but not necessary.
• Skills: Cost management, budgeting and forecasting; analysis of complex financial data; analytical and problem-solving skills; clear communication of cost information.
• Experience: 3–7 years' experience in a cost control or cost engineering role, preferably construction/infrastructure; strong knowledge of cost-management systems (Jobpac, Cheops, SAP, CostX).

What's on offer:

• Exposure to major projects covering mining, energy, infrastructure and utilities.
• Hybrid working models - 3 days on site (client's office) and 2 days remote.
• Ongoing variety of project types (water, rail, energy, data centres etc.)
• Flexible employment arrangements (independent consultants or FTE).
• Annual bonus structure and competitive salary/rates.
• Down-to-earth, approachable and supportive leadership team.

Sounds like you? Please apply now and for further information, please email nelson.eaton@lewiswoolcott.com