Principal (AD) Cost Estimator

AtkinsRealis Project Management L.L.C. - S.P.C.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Life insurance

Medical insurance

Annual leave balance

Company gratuity scheme

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Housing & transportation allowances

Job summary

At AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Principal Cost Estimator to lead complex cost estimation for large-scale projects and strategic bids in Abu Dhabi. You will shape methodologies, oversee accuracy, and mentor junior estimators across engineering, procurement, and finance teams to ensure reliable budgeting and risk assessment.

The role requires a senior level professional with extensive experience in cost estimating, budgeting, and reporting to executives, plus strong communication for client

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Economics, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in cost estimating, project controls, quantity surveying, or commercial project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimates for large, complex, high‑value projects.
• Strong expertise in cost estimating methodologies, cost modeling, and project budgeting.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and cost estimation software.
• Experience with forecasting, earned value management, and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and review of detailed cost estimates for major capital projects, infrastructure developments, engineering programs, or manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and definitive cost estimates through project lifecycle.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, tools, and best practices across the organization.
• Perform detailed analyses of labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor, indirect, and contingency costs.
• Lead quantity take-offs and validation of project scope requirements.
• Evaluate project specifications, drawings, contracts, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Conduct cost risk assessments and sensitivity analyses to identify cost drivers and mitigation strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance on budgeting, forecasting, and cost control initiatives.
• Manage and review vendor, supplier, and subcontractor quotations and pricing submissions.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, operations and finance to develop budgets.
• Present estimate assumptions, methodologies, and findings to leadership and clients.
• Support proposal development, competitive bidding, and contract negotiations.
• Monitor market trends, labor rates, commodity pricing, and industry benchmarks.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to estimators.
• Review actual project costs and perform variance analyses.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost modeling

Project budgeting

Advanced Excel

Cost estimation software

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Engineering/Construction/Quantity Surveying or related degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Cost estimation software

Job description

Job Description Overview

The Principal Cost Estimator is a senior-level professional responsible for leading complex cost estimation activities for large-scale projects, programs, and strategic bids. This role provides technical leadership, develops estimating methodologies, oversees estimation accuracy, supports business development efforts, and partners with project management, engineering, procurement, and finance teams to ensure reliable project cost forecasting and risk assessment.

Your role

• Lead the preparation and review of detailed cost estimates for major capital projects, infrastructure developments, engineering programs, or manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and definitive cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, tools, and best practices across the organization.
• Perform detailed analyses of labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor, indirect, and contingency costs.
• Lead quantity take-offs and validation of project scope requirements.
• Evaluate project specifications, drawings, contracts, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Conduct cost risk assessments and sensitivity analyses to identify cost drivers and mitigation strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance on budgeting, forecasting, and cost control initiatives.
• Manage and review vendor, supplier, and subcontractor quotations and pricing submissions.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and finance teams to develop accurate project budgets.
• Present estimate assumptions, methodologies, and findings to executive leadership and clients.
• Support proposal development, competitive bidding, and contract negotiations.
• Monitor market trends, labor rates, commodity pricing, and industry benchmarks.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior and senior estimators.
• Review actual project costs and perform variance analysis to improve future estimating accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to estimating processes and tools.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in cost estimating, project controls, quantity surveying, or commercial project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimates for large, complex, and high-value projects.
• Strong expertise in cost estimating methodologies, cost modeling, and project budgeting.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and cost estimation software.
• Experience with project controls, forecasting, earned value management, and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contracting, and construction or manufacturing practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross‑functional teams.

Rewards & benefits

This includes:

• Tax‑free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through differences.

Created by the integration of long‑standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world‑class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people.

We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.

We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end‑to‑end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital.

The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital.

News and information are available at Atkinsrealis or follow us on LinkedIn.