COST CONTROL ENGINEER ... PLEASE ADVISE ?

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I (Graduated in Engg. in 2005) have worked with Radio Pakistan for an year and Half , then moved to UAE , and worked as Instruments and Control Engineer.

But due to Head office Posting since start , now the managment have decided to give responsibilities of COST CONTROL ENGINEER for Electromechanical Works of our Company.

For your information our company is engaged for Govt Water Projects , those are Piplining , Pumping stations , Water treatment plants etc.

I am confused wheather I should accept the New Position or insist for Retaining my old Position ?

Kindly advise me what is Future of Cost Control Engineering ?

Thanks and Regards

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Re: COST CONTROL ENGINEER ... PLEASE ADVISE ?

If I understand you correctly, it's a maintenance engineer's role with extra duty of procurement officer. You will have your own budget for maintenance and you will be responsible for keeping everything running. Doing pre-planned maintenance & liaison with suppliers and contractors. You will also be responsible to foresee and upcoming upgrade requirements and allocate budgets accordingly. In a nutshell, it's a very responsible role, and it will give you opportunity to step into engineering project management.

Inhalers
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Thank you Sir for your Mature Preview of Cost Control Engineer's Future and Resposibilities.

I want to tell for your kind information that our company is a Construction contracting Company in that case what would be the resposibilities of Cost control Engineer.
In the Thread of " YOUR PROFESSION" , I know you are Instrumentation Engineer , and i am also in the same field, so what would be your kind recommendations for me.

Thanks in anticipation.

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If it's a construction company then I take it will be more related to BMS (building management systems). Frankly switching to BMS for an experienced instrumentation engineer is like a career killer. Instrumentation and automation wise BMS is a separate field, suitable for technicians looking for next step on the ladder (unless you are involved in development & implementation of such systems). IF your company is also involved in bespoke systems for different clients then it has a charm, BUT if they are switching you to cost control side then it means you will liaison with the suppliers of such systems and the contractors, on project basis. Making sure that each site doesn't exceed from aloted budget. (It also goes to projects hierarchy in your company, if there are already some project managers appointed, then THEY will do the main project handling), your role will have a little impact on over all project life cycle. ALTHOUGH your instrumentation background will help THOSE project managers to procure right stuff from right suppliers, in short you will be involved in technical side of project costing (like choosing the instruments and suppliers according to FDS). It all depends on the job specs your company has for this role though.

ADDENDUM: what are your current responsibilities?

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I am glade to know that , we have such informative members on this forum.

Ya , First I would like to tell you the Scope of works our Copany is Engaged for.
Our Company is a construction Company engaged for Water Projects (Main Client is Govt of Abu Dhabi , Abu Dhabi Muncipility) that includes Construction of ( Storm water , WWTP(Waste water treatment plants) , Trunk sewers , potable water projects , Irrigation water Pumps stations and Cooling Plants works.

My division is Mechanical and Electrical Division.
Our company intends to Separate M&E section and make it a profit center.
My responsibilities would be Project wise profit calculations.
On the basis of Return to our Division and M&E Cost on that project.
The Cost will be Calculated on following scales.
ManPower , PMV , Financial , Material etc.

Currently , as I was posted at head Office my Responsibilities were I&C Matterial Tendering
Matterial Proposal from approved vendors list to Client/Consutant
Getting Matterial Submitals approvals from Consultant
Matterial Orders and Delivery (Procurement)
P&ID developing , Hoop up drawings and UPS power scheduling (Designing)

Hope Now , you have better view of my Profile.

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hmmm there isn't much of a difference there! They are taking hands -on engineering aspect out and want you to concentrate on financial/procurement aspects of the projects (limiting you to more of an administrative role). This is good if you intend to stay in this company for very extended period of time. BUT, from what you have told me, I understand you haven't worked much on Instrumentation and control projects (apart from producing P&ID & pre-project documentation), personally I would recommend gaining some experience in your field 1st and then switch to project cost handeling. Some people say you don't have to, of course you don't have to; BUT for instrumentation and controls projects it really helps. TRUST me on this, if you decide to switch this company next year after working as cost control engineer, next role you will find will be in sales or procurement, just because of limited experience in the field.

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As far as I have gotton from your Points , I conclude as

It is good if stay long with the company.
But i still need I&C Experience.
I have little Experience in I&C Works.

I Belive you are right.

But since These days switching to other company/Firm is too risky and difficult.
Secondly, I may not get promotion in case i resist to thier consent.
and Finally , they will be still assigning me new responsibilites at Head office , which may be continuetion of previous one.

But , If i persue for some Masters Degree like MBA in finance or Masters in Engineering Management , or Masters in Communication or Control System, then
What do you think about enhancement in my career.?