Cost Engineer -Subcontracts

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Project Overview:

Great infrastructure transforms communities. Our customers’ projects have a higher purpose – their roads, rail, communications, airports and energy projects are a gateway to a modern prosperous world. A world that caters for growing populations and keeps up with rapid technological change; a world that is resilient to economic and geophysical setbacks; a world powered by cleaner energy and systems that accelerate the path to global decarbonization; a world connected by smart and affordable transport networks to empower disenfranchised communities and unlock access to opportunities.

Job Summary:

In this role, you will provide cost engineering support for subcontract formation, monitoring and control during the development phase of a large infrastructure project, including marine works and associated interfaces. You will work closely with Subcontracts, Engineering, Construction, Scheduling, Finance and project leadership to establish appropriate cost breakdown structures, pay items, progress measurement rules, reporting requirements, budgets and forecasts for subcontracted scopes. Your analysis will support early identification of cost, schedule, commercial and interface risks, enabling timely corrective actions, accurate payment assessment and reliable project decision-making.

Applicants must be Australian Citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance.

"This position is designated as part-time telework per our global telework policy and may require at least three days of in-person attendance per week at the assigned office or project. Weekly in-person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor, in consultation with functional or project leadership”.

Major Responsibilities:

• Support subcontract formation from the development phase by reviewing proposed scopes, subcontracting strategies, contract types, commercial assumptions, pay items, measurement rules, reporting requirements and cost account alignment.
• Establish and maintain subcontract cost breakdown structures, budgets, commitments and forecasts aligned to the project Work Breakdown Structure, Code of Accounts, Supply Chain Assignment Schedule and overall project control budget.
• Develop and maintain subcontract cost monitoring processes, templates and reporting formats for quantities, jobhours, progress, payment claims, commitments, changes, potential claims and forecast cost at completion.
• Review subcontractor cost and progress submissions to verify consistency with contract requirements, approved measurement rules, reported quantities, schedule progress, field verification and entitlement for payment.
• Monitor subcontractor cost performance, productivity, cash flow, payment status and commercial exposure, identifying early warning indicators of cost growth, underperformance, resource constraints or potential financial distress.
• Analyse subcontract changes, trends, variations, back-charges, claims exposure and interface impacts, and support the preparation of cost estimates, commercial assessments and mitigation recommendations.
• Coordinate with planners and schedulers to integrate subcontract cost, progress and forecast information with the project schedule, including critical interfaces, marine work windows, access constraints and construction sequencing.
• Support development-phase planning for marine works subcontract packages by assessing cost and schedule drivers such as marine plant, temporary works, logistics, tides, weather windows, environmental constraints, approvals, laydown and interface risks.
• Participate in bid reviews, pre-award clarifications, page turns, mobilisation reviews and subcontractor reporting alignment meetings to confirm that cost control, progress measurement and reporting requirements are clearly understood.
• Prepare subcontract cost reports, cost studies, variance analysis and forecast updates for management review, highlighting key risks, opportunities, recommended actions and potential impacts to the project budget and delivery strategy.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and 8-10  years of relevant experience or 12-14 years of relevant work experience

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in cost engineering, cost control, forecasting and commitment management for large infrastructure, civil, marine, construction or heavy industrial projects.
• Strong understanding of subcontract formation and administration interfaces, including scope definition, contract types, pay item structures, measurement for payment, progress verification, change management and claims support.
• Ability to establish and maintain subcontract cost control structures aligned to WBS, Code of Accounts, cost accounts, commitments, budgets, forecasts, progress measurement systems and reporting requirements.
• Experience reviewing subcontractor reports, progress claims, quantities, jobhours, productivity data, cash flow, payment status and forecast information to assess performance, entitlement and cost-to-complete.
• Working knowledge of project controls tools and systems such as EcoSys, DSCS or equivalent cost, commitment and subcontract management systems, together with advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting capability.
• Familiarity with planning and scheduling interfaces, including baseline schedules, progress updates, critical path awareness, look-ahead planning, schedule milestones and integration of subcontract performance data.
• Practical awareness of development-phase infrastructure project drivers, including evolving scope, estimate maturity, constructability, procurement strategy, interface management, risk, opportunities and change control.
• Understanding of marine works cost and schedule considerations, including marine plant and equipment, temporary works, offshore or nearshore construction methods, weather and tidal constraints, access limitations, environmental approvals and logistics interfaces.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to identify trends, variances, commercial exposure and early warning indicators, and to translate data into clear recommendations for project leadership.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication, stakeholder coordination and collaborative problem solving across Project Controls, Subcontracts, Engineering, Construction, Finance, Quality, ES&H and project management teams.
• Key qualification factors include relevant subcontract cost control experience, demonstrated ability to work in a development or early works environment, familiarity with large infrastructure or marine packages, strong systems and data capability, and sound commercial awareness.
• Applicants must be Australian Citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

Diverse teams build the extraordinary:

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong-where colleagues feel part of "One Team," respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably. Click here to learn more about the people who power our legacy.