Senior Estimator - Civil & Infrastructure

McMahon Services; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MAC Learning Academy

Career development opportunities

Job summary

McMahon Services in Adelaide is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead tendering across civil and infrastructure projects, pricing from first principles and guiding the bid team.

You will mentor junior estimators, engage subcontractors, and work with delivery teams to optimise methodologies for tenders up to about $100 million; a strong first-principles capability and collaborative approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience estimating civil construction and infrastructure tenders.
• Strong capability in first-principles pricing.
• Experience engaging subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ability to review drawings and develop pricing assumptions.
• Mentoring junior estimators is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and lead tenders from kick-off to submission.
• Review drawings, specs and scopes to develop take-offs and pricing.
• Develop detailed first-principles estimates across labour, plant, materials and preliminaries.
• Engage subcontractors and suppliers and assess market pricing.
• Mentor Estimators and Cadet Estimators as required.
• Contribute to value engineering and tender strategy.
• Support tender programmes and site inspections.

Skills

Civil construction estimating

First-principles pricing

Subcontractor engagement

Tendering experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Tools

Expert Estimation

Candy

B2W

Job description

McMahon Services is looking for a Senior Estimator to join our Civil & Infrastructure team in Adelaide and we’re also keen to hear from experienced Estimators who are ready to continue developing their careers.

At McMahon Services you are not considered an Estimator but a Preconstruction Project Manager. You build the project on the desk and you price it, inform the program and method. You’ll work with the delivery team to make sure our process is right. We’re looking for more than technical estimating capability. We want motivated people with a positive attitude, great communication skills and exceptional attention to detail who enjoy working collaboratively and take pride in producing quality work.

You’ll have the opportunity to work across a diverse pipeline of civil and infrastructure tenders, including earthworks, roads, pavements, drainage, utilities and associated infrastructure, with tender values typically ranging from $5 million to $500 million.

Whether you’re an established Senior Estimator ready to take the lead on significant tenders or an Estimator looking to broaden your experience and be part of an exciting and experienced team, we’d like to hear from you. Previous delivery experience will be especially rated.

About McMahon Services

McMahon Services is one of Australia’s largest privately owned construction, industrial and environmental services organisations, employing more than 1,300 people across Australia.

Our Civil & Infrastructure team delivers complex projects across metropolitan and regional locations, supported by experienced estimating, engineering, commercial and delivery teams.

We invest in our people and provide genuine opportunities to broaden your experience, develop your technical capability and build a long-term career.

About The Role

Reporting to the Estimating Manager – Civil & Infrastructure, you’ll play an important role in preparing high-quality, commercially competitive tenders across our Civil & Infrastructure portfolio.

Depending on your level of experience, you may take the lead on assigned tenders or work alongside Senior Estimators to develop your capability across first-principles pricing, subcontractor and supplier engagement, commercial risk, construction methodologies and tender strategy.

For our Senior Estimators, the role will also provide the opportunity to mentor and technically guide Estimators and Cadet Estimators, share knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement across the estimating function.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare and/or lead civil and infrastructure tenders from kick-off through to submission.


• Review drawings, specifications and scopes to develop accurate take-offs and pricing.


• Prepare detailed first-principles estimates across labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, preliminaries and margin.


• Develop pricing assumptions, qualifications, exclusions and risk allowances.


• Engage subcontractors and suppliers and evaluate market pricing.


• Identify commercial, contractual and delivery risks and opportunities.


• Contribute to value engineering, constructability reviews and alternative delivery strategies.


• Work with operational and engineering teams to develop practical construction methodologies.


• Support tender programmes, resourcing strategies and site inspections.


• Participate in tender reviews and successful project handovers.


• Maintain accurate and well-structured estimating information and cost data.


• At Senior level, mentor and support Estimators and Cadet Estimators.

The role combines first-principles estimating with commercial analysis, supply-chain engagement and practical construction methodology development.

What You’ll Bring

We’re open to different levels of experience. You may already be operating as a Senior Estimator, or you may be an Estimator ready to build towards that next step.

Ideally, You’ll Bring

• Experience estimating civil construction and infrastructure projects.


• Strong first-principles estimating capability.


• Understanding of civil construction methodologies and project delivery.


• Experience across earthworks, roads, pavements, drainage, utilities or similar civil scopes.


• Experience engaging subcontractors and suppliers.


• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project risk.


• Experience with estimating software such as Expert Estimation, Candy, B2W or equivalent.


• Strong Microsoft Excel capability.


• Relevant tertiary, trade, cadet or practical construction experience.


• Current Driver’s Licence and willingness to undertake site visits when required.

Just As Important – Who You Are

Technical skills matter, but so does the person you bring to the team.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Is

• Motivated and driven to deliver great outcomes.


• A great communicator who can build relationships across estimating, operations, commercial and delivery teams.


• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.


• Positive, approachable and willing to contribute to the team.


• Comfortable asking questions, challenging assumptions and sharing ideas.


• Collaborative and willing to support others.


• Able to remain focused and organised when tender deadlines get busy.


• Keen to learn, improve and continue developing professionally.

Why Join McMahon Services?

• Work across civil and infrastructure tenders valued up to approximately $100 million.


• Gain exposure across a diverse range of civil disciplines and project types.


• Work alongside experienced Estimators, Engineers and project delivery professionals.


• Take ownership of tenders appropriate to your experience and capability.


• For Estimators, develop towards future Senior Estimator opportunities.


• For Senior Estimators, mentor others and influence estimating standards and strategy.


• Contribute to value engineering, methodology and commercial decision-making.


• Access ongoing development through the MAC Learning Academy.


• Build a long‑term career with one of Australia’s leading privately owned construction companies.

Ready for Your Next Opportunity?

Whether you’re an experienced Senior Estimator looking for your next challenge or an Estimator ready to broaden your experience and take the next step, we’d like to hear from you.

If you bring strong civil estimating skills, great communication, attention to detail and importantly a positive attitude, apply today and join McMahon Services.

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. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.