Estimator

Saunders International; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Additional paid leave

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Supportive workplace culture

Years of Service rewards

Job summary

Saunders International is seeking an Estimator to join our dynamic pre-contracts team, working across Defence, Water, Energy, Resources and Industrial sectors. This role offers flexible working options with a choice of Rhodes, NSW or Perth, WA, and the chance to drive tender development from start to finish.

As an Estimator, you will review RFPs, develop BOQs, cost estimates and supplier packages, identify risks, and liaise with clients and subcontractors to secure competitive outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years estimating experience in construction or heavy industrial sectors.
• Strong understanding of construction methodology, cost planning, and subcontractor markets.
• Proven track record in estimation and winning large-scale projects.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Autonomous working style - thrives in fast-paced pre-construction environments.
• Experience with P&L and/or business operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.

Responsibilities

• Review RFPs and develop competitive, compliant estimates and proposals.
• Develop Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, scope breakdowns and supplier packages.
• Review tender documentation for scope gaps and risks; develop pricing assumptions.
• Liaise with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers to achieve outcomes.
• Develop pricing strategies with benchmarking and market testing.
• Support tender risk assessments and design development during ECI and procurement.

Skills

Estimating

Cost planning

BOQs

Tender development

Communication

Autonomous

P&L experience

Education

Construction Management

Quantity Surveying

Engineering discipline

Job description

Saunders is an Australian integrated infrastructure services business. We engineer, build and maintain critical infrastructure across Defence & Government, Water, Energy, and Resources & Industrials.

We partner with leading organisations to deliver high-compliance projects and long-term asset support in operationally sensitive environments.

THE ROLE

We're seeking an Estimator to join our dynamic pre-contracts team, working across Defence, Water, Energy, Resources and Industrial sectors.

This is your opportunity to drive the proposal development process from start to finish, working on large-scale, complex projects that make a real difference. With flexible working options and a choice of working from either Rhodes, NSW or Perth, WA, we'll work with you to find the right balance.

As an Estimator, you will:

• Demonstrate experience in estimating and tender preparation, from initial RFP review through to the development and submission of competitive, compliant and comprehensive estimates & proposals.
• Strong ability to develop accurate Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, scope breakdowns and subcontractor/supplier packages across multidisciplinary engineering and construction projects.
• Ability to review tender documentation, identify scope gaps and commercial risks, and develop clear pricing assumptions and qualifications.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers to achieve value-driven and competitive outcomes.
• Ability to develop and maintain competitive pricing strategies, including benchmarking, market testing and assessing subcontractor and trade coverage across Saunders' key markets.
• Ability to contribute to tender risk assessments, constructability reviews and design development, particularly during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and collaborative procurement phases.
• Proactive approach to business development, including monitoring tender portals and market opportunities to identify and support the pursuit of new work across Saunders' Defence & Government, Energy, Resources & Industrials markets.
  

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Minimum 5 years' estimating experience in construction or heavy industrial sectors
• Strong understanding of construction methodology, cost planning, and subcontractor markets
• Proven track record of contributing to the estimation and winning of large-scale construction projects
• Relevant qualifications in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or similar discipline
• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal
• Autonomous working style - you thrive in fast-paced pre-construction environments
• Flexibility and adaptability - open to different approaches and ways of working
• Experience with P&L and/or business operations
• Ability to easily adjust to changing circumstances and challenges

THE BENEFITS

• A competitive remuneration and rewards package.
• Additional paid leave days.
• Paid parental leave.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• A supportive workplace culture.
• Years of Service recognition and rewards.

Our 'One Team' culture is built on collaboration, trust and shared accountability, creating an environment where people at every stage of their career can contribute and make a meaningful impact.

Saunders embraces the values of an innovative and diverse workforce and recognises that inclusion sets us all up for success. We encourage applications from people of all ages, individuals with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, ADF veterans, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and other culturally diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure a positive, barrier-free recruitment experience and supportive workplace. All suitably qualified or experienced applicants will be considered.