Senior Estimator

BMD; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

BMD is Australia’s leading integrated engineering, construction and urban development business, with 2,400+ employees and a track record of delivering major civil infrastructure projects. We are seeking a Senior Estimator to own tender development from review through pricing, handover and project support, mentoring others and driving estimating excellence.

You will lead tender strategy, coordinate cross-functional inputs, and ensure practical, competitive submissions aligned with project

Qualifications

• Minimum senior estimating experience in civil construction or infrastructure.
• Proven ability to develop first-principles estimates and tender submissions.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specs and contractual requirements.
• Experience building direct/indirect cost and preliminary build-ups.

Responsibilities

• Lead tender review of documents, drawings, specifications and schedules.
• Establish estimating approach, structure, assumptions and pricing strategy.
• Prepare and review detailed first-principles estimates for civil infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate quantity take-offs, direct/indirect costs and pricing build-ups.
• Identify risks, opportunities and key cost drivers; plan market testing.
• Work with planners to align programmes and time-related costs.
• Coach estimators and support staff to improve quality and consistency.
• Build relationships with clients, consultants and supply-chain partners.

Skills

First principles estimating

Tender development

Drawings/specs interpretation

Costing build-ups

Risk assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Team leadership

Software: Expert Estimation

Software: CATS

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Construction Management degree

Equivalent industry experience

Tools

Expert Estimation

CATS

Job description

BMD is Australia's leading integrated engineering, construction and urban development business. Founded in 1979, our success has been built on strong family values and a collaborative approach that continues to define who we are today.

Driven by our purpose of powering futures and creating enduring legacies, we deliver innovative infrastructure solutions that connect and transform communities. With more than 2,400 employees across Australia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and USA, BMD is committed to creating opportunities, building capability and delivering projects that leave a lasting positive impact.

About the Role

As a Senior Estimator you will take ownership of developing competitive, commercially sound tenders across a diverse pipeline of civil construction and infrastructure opportunities. Reporting to the Chief Estimator, you will guide estimates from the initial review of tender documents through pricing, internal review, submission and handover. You will bring together input from estimating, planning, construction, commercial, suppliers and subcontractors to ensure each submission is accurate, practical and aligned with how the project will be delivered.

The role also provides an opportunity to mentor developing estimators, improve estimating practices and build your pathway towards future estimating leadership roles.

What You Will Do

• Lead the review of tender documents, drawings, specifications and schedules.
• Establish the estimating approach, structure, assumptions and pricing strategy.
• Prepare and review detailed first-principles estimates for civil infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate quantity take-offs, direct costs, indirect costs and pricing build-ups.
• Identify scope gaps, commercial risks, opportunities and key cost drivers.
• Plan market testing and evaluate supplier, subcontractor and plant quotations.
• Work with construction teams to develop practical methodologies and resourcing plans.
• Partner with planners to align programmes, sequencing and time-related costs.
• Contribute to risk, value engineering, commercial and tender review workshops.
• Coordinate estimate inputs and ensure submissions meet client requirements.
• Support tender clarifications, negotiations, approvals and contract award activities.
• Deliver clear tender handovers and remain available to support project teams.
• Coach estimators and estimating support staff to strengthen quality and consistency.
• Build productive relationships with clients, consultants and supply-chain partners.
• Improve estimating templates, benchmarking data and digital workflows.

These responsibilities retain the role’s core requirements around tender review, first-principles estimating, market testing, commercial input, risk analysis, handover and mentoring, while removing repetition.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Senior estimating experience within civil construction or infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of first-principles estimating and tender development.
• The ability to interpret drawings, specifications and contractual requirements.
• Experience developing direct-cost, indirect-cost and preliminary build-ups.
• Sound judgement when assessing risk, opportunity, scope and market pricing.
• Experience coordinating concurrent tenders and multidisciplinary inputs.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A practical understanding of construction methodology and project delivery.
• High standards of accuracy, traceability, organisation and commercial discipline.
• A team-focused approach and a genuine interest in mentoring others.
• A degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with Expert Estimation, CATS or comparable software, which will be highly regarded.

Diversity and inclusion

We recognise that we are strengthened by diversity, and we embrace differences as an equal opportunity employer providing a flexible and inclusive workplace.

So, join our team, be yourself and help us power futures and create legacies.

We’re a purpose and values-led business guided by our values of family, empowered, collaborative and driven. For further details on what makes BMD unique, head to https://www.bmdgroup.global/careers