Cost Engineer

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Position Title: Cost Engineer
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Deadline Date: 19 December 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs approximately 2,200 staff members. The agency operates across various countries in Europe and collaborates with international partners on numerous space missions and projects. ESA's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

Job Overview:
The Cost Engineer position is situated within the Cost Engineering Section of the Future Engineering Division at ESA. This role involves providing cost engineering support for various studies and projects across multiple directorates, including Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, Earth Observation, and Science. The Cost Engineer will be responsible for preparing cost estimates, conducting comparative analyses of industrial contractors' estimates, and supporting negotiations for industrial contracts. The position requires a strong understanding of cost engineering methods and systems engineering principles, as well as the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will also engage in the development and maintenance of cost estimating models and databases, ensuring that the agency's projects are financially viable and aligned with strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Cost Engineer include:

• Preparing detailed cost estimates to support ESA projects.
• Providing cost and systems engineering support for design-to-cost initiatives.
• Conducting comparative analyses of estimates, prices, and costs-at-completion from industrial contractors.
• Evaluating industrial proposals with a focus on cost-related matters.
• Participating in project reviews to assess cost implications.
• Processing and analyzing data from the ESA costing software ECOS.
• Supporting the negotiation of contracts with industrial partners.
• Engaging in cost engineering and systems engineering tasks during assessment studies at the Concurrent Design Facility.
• Developing and maintaining parametric cost estimating models and databases to enhance the accuracy of cost assessments. 1
• Collaborating with a dynamic team of cost engineers to ensure effective project execution and adherence to budgetary constraints.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in cost engineering and systems engineering, with a proven ability to apply cost estimation techniques and methodologies. Familiarity with parametric cost models and cost engineering tools is essential. The ability to work independently while fostering excellent working relationships with colleagues and external partners is crucial. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving, as well as the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in engineering is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation in technical principles and methodologies relevant to cost engineering and systems engineering.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have relevant professional experience in cost engineering, particularly within the context of space systems engineering. While specific years of experience are not mandated, candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for a lower grade level (A1). Experience in project management and familiarity with ESA's operational environment will be advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in English or French is mandatory, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of an additional language from one of the ESA Member States is considered an asset, enhancing communication within the diverse workforce.

Additional Notes:
This position is a permanent contract within the ESA, located in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The grade band for this role is A2 - A4, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The recruitment process may include selection tests and background screening to ensure compliance with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security regulations. Candidates must be eligible to access technology subject to European and US export control regulations.