Graduate Estimator

Guidera O Connor Pty Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Flexible working arrangements

Additional annual leave for service

15 days personal leave

Company-funded wellbeing program

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Guidera O'Connor is seeking a Graduate Estimator to join our Core Bid Team in Heidelberg, Victoria. You will assist with quantity take-offs, RFQs, and cost modelling under supervision, gaining hands-on experience in estimating for water and construction projects.

Ideal graduates will have a degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or Construction Management, strong numeracy, and a proactive mindset. This role offers development in a supportive, values-driven company.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or Construction Management.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with quantity take-offs from drawings and project documents.
• Prepare and issue RFQs to suppliers and subcontractors.
• Assist with supplier evaluations and estimate preparation.
• Support development of accurate project cost estimates and bids.
• Build relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Assist with resource schedules, rates, and cost models.
• Help meet bid deadlines with a focus on quality and accuracy.
• Develop understanding of estimating in water and construction sectors.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Relationship building

Attention to detail

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Construction Management

Job description

With a strong pipeline of projects and continued growth across Australia, Guidera O'Connor is seeking a Graduate Estimator to join our Core Bid Team based in Heidelberg.
This is an exciting opportunity for a recent Mechanical or Chemical Engineering graduate or a Construction Management graduate to gain hands‑on experience in estimating and bid development within a highly specialised industry. Working closely with experienced Estimators and the Lead Estimator, you will contribute to the preparation of competitive project bids while developing valuable technical, commercial, and stakeholder management skills.
You will play a key role in supporting the estimating process, engaging with suppliers and subcontractors, reviewing project documentation, and assisting with the development of accurate project cost estimates.
You will work alongside and be supported by a team of experienced professionals, united by Guidera O'Connor's five guiding principles: Care, Integrity, Passion, Respect, and Future.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with quantity take-offs from engineering drawings and project documentation
• Prepare and issue requests for quotation (RFQs) to suppliers and subcontractors
• Assist with supplier comparison evaluations and estimate preparation
• Support the development of accurate project cost estimates and bid submissions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors
• Support the preparation of resource schedules, rates, and cost models
• Contribute to meeting bid deadlines while maintaining a strong focus on quality and accuracy
• Develop a thorough understanding of estimating processes within the water and construction sectors

About You

You are a motivated engineering graduate who enjoys problem-solving, working with numbers, and collaborating with others to achieve successful outcomes.
Highly organised and detail-focused, you can manage competing priorities and work effectively to deadlines. You are eager to learn, comfortable communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, and looking to build a long-term career in project estimation and construction.
You will ideally bring:

• A degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, or Construction Management
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
• Exposure to construction, infrastructure, or the water industry (desirable but not essential)

Guidera O'Connor is an equal opportunity employer. If you meet most, but not all, of the criteria we'd still love to hear from you.

About Us

From desalination plants providing clean water to Australian communities, to treatment facilities that return wastewater safely to the environment, Guidera O'Connor designs and delivers tailored solutions that make a real difference to people's lives.
Guidera O'Connor designs, constructs, and commissions:

• Pumping stations
• Filtration
• Aquifer storage and recovery
• Reuse systems

We work with customers across Australia, including:

• Local government
• Mining and resources companies
• Private asset owners
• Head contractors
• Engineering organisations

Our business is founded on five guiding principles: Care, Integrity, Passion, Respect, and Future, each of which inform our collaborative, innovative, solutions-focused approach.
More than infrastructure, we deliver value, creating the systems that make safe, clean water possible for people and communities across the country, now and into the future.

Our Benefits

In return for your skills and experience, we offer a supportive team environment, strong leadership, and meaningful work that contributes to essential infrastructure. Our benefits include:

• Free onsite parking
• Flexible working arrangements
• Additional annual leave for service milestones
• 15 days personal leave
• Company-funded wellbeing program
• Paid parental leave

Diversity & Inclusion

At Guidera O'Connor, we value a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, culture, or identity.
As part of our commitment to gender equity, we aim to increase the participation of women in the construction industry and encourage applications from women for all roles.
As part of our Reconciliation Action commitment, we also strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.