Principal (AD) Cost Estimator

slihrms; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 600,000; 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

Transportation & housing allowances

Employee Wellbeing Program

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Abu Dhabi seeks a Principal Cost Estimator to lead complex cost estimation activities for major projects and bids. You will develop estimating methodologies, mentor staff, and collaborate with engineering, procurement, and finance to ensure accurate budgets and risk assessment.

You will present assumptions and findings to executives and support competitive bidding and contract negotiations while driving continuous improvement in estimating processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance or Economics.
• 10+ years of experience in cost estimating, project controls, quantity surveying, or commercial project management.
• Proven experience leading estimates for large, complex, high-value projects.
• Strong expertise in cost estimating methodologies, cost modeling, and budgeting.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and cost estimation software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and review of detailed cost estimates for major capital projects.
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and definitive cost estimates.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, tools, and best practices.
• Perform analyses of labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor, and contingency costs.
• Lead quantity take-offs and validate project scope.
• Evaluate specifications, drawings, contracts, and schedules.
• Conduct cost risk assessments and sensitivity analyses.
• Present estimate assumptions and findings to executives.
• Support bids, proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Mentor junior and senior estimators.

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

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. 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.

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.

Find out more.

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 these differences.