Senior Estimator

McMahon Services; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

McMahon Services, one of Australia’s leading construction groups, is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead detailed first-principles estimates for civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure projects from our Sydney office.

You will work with bid teams and senior stakeholders to develop competitive pricing strategies, identify commercial risks and guide estimators through tender governance and handover to delivery teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive bid/tender leadership experience for civil, demolition, remediation, infrastructure projects.
• Strong negotiation and contract-management knowledge.
• Ability to identify and manage commercial, financial and technical risks.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and attention to detail.
• Collaborative, solutions-focused with cross-disciplinary teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and management of tenders across civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure projects.
• Develop detailed first-principles estimates and competitive pricing strategies.
• Analyse tender documentation and identify commercial risks, opportunities and cost drivers.
• Lead subcontractor and supplier engagement, including RFQ processes, pricing reviews and commercial evaluations.
• Contribute to tender strategy, methodology development and value engineering initiatives.
• Support governance reviews and provide commercial recommendations throughout the tender process.
• Mentor and guide estimators and graduate estimators.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and industry stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with established estimating processes and governance requirements.
• Support the successful handover of awarded projects to delivery teams, ensuring clarity of scope, assumptions and commercial outcomes.

Skills

Bid leadership

Negotiation

Risk management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Civil Engineering / Construction Management degree

Tools

Expert Estimation software

Job description

Elevate your estimating career with a role that offers variety, complexity and influence. We are seeking a results-driven Senior Estimator to join our growing NSW team and play a key role in securing complex civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure projects.

About McMahon Services

McMahon Services is one of Australia's largest privately owned construction, industrial and environmental services organisations, employing more than 1,200 people nationally. For over 35 years, we have delivered innovative solutions across civil infrastructure, demolition, remediation, industrial services and environmental projects. Our reputation is built on integrity, strong relationships, technical expertise and delivering certainty for our customers.

About The Role

This role sits within a high-performing pre-contracts function and is responsible for leading the preparation of detailed first-principles estimates across a diverse portfolio of civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure projects.

Working closely with bid teams, operational personnel and senior stakeholders, you will develop competitive pricing strategies, identify commercial opportunities and help secure complex, multi-disciplinary projects. You will also provide leadership and guidance to estimators and bid teams while contributing to the continued growth of our NSW business.

This permanent full-time position is based in our Sydney office and supports tender opportunities across New South Wales.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the preparation and management of tenders across civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure projects.


• Develop detailed first-principles estimates and competitive pricing strategies.


• Analyse tender documentation and identify commercial risks, opportunities and cost drivers.


• Lead subcontractor and supplier engagement, including RFQ processes, pricing reviews and commercial evaluations.


• Contribute to tender strategy, methodology development and value engineering initiatives.


• Support governance reviews and provide commercial recommendations throughout the tender process.


• Mentor and guide estimators and graduate estimators.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and industry stakeholders.


• Ensure compliance with established estimating processes and governance requirements.


• Support the successful handover of awarded projects to delivery teams, ensuring clarity of scope, assumptions and commercial outcomes.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience leading successful bids and tenders for civil, demolition, remediation, infrastructure or related projects.


• Experience in negotiation and a sound understanding of contract management and cost optimisation.


• Ability to identify and manage commercial, financial and technical risks and opportunities.


• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with a high level of attention to detail.


• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

What Will Set You Apart

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.


• Strong experience in bulk earthworks, roadworks, drainage and other civil infrastructure projects.


• A combination of project management and estimating experience.


• Experience estimating demolition, remediation or environmental services projects.


• Familiarity with Expert Estimation software.

Why Join McMahon Services?

We offer a supportive, high-performance environment where your skills are valued, and your contributions are recognised. You'll enjoy:

• Competitive remuneration and career development opportunities.


• Long-term, stable employment with a leading national contractor.


• Diverse and challenging projects across civil, demolition, remediation and infrastructure sectors.


• A collaborative culture built on safety, performance and continuous improvement.

At McMahon Services, we embrace diversity and inclusion as fundamental values. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation, creativity and a deeper understanding of the communities we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.