Estimator

Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering recruitment consultancy is seeking an Estimator to support their sales team with accurate cost estimates for bespoke mechanical systems. The ideal candidate has a background in heavy engineering, strong technical estimating skills, and is comfortable working on complex projects in an office-based environment. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, providing a fantastic opportunity to leverage practical knowledge in a structured setting.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience in estimating or technical sales in a heavy industrial background.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Strong accuracy in estimating from limited information.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates for bespoke mechanical systems.
• Work with sales and engineering to determine technical solutions.
• Liaise with internal teams to ensure accurate estimates.

Skills

Heavy engineering background

Confidence in technical estimating

Ability to interpret technical drawings

Strong commercial awareness

Proactive and adaptable

Job description

Estimator
Location: Telford
Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum + benefits

We are recruiting on behalf of a long-established and highly respected engineering company that designs, manufactures, installs, and services a global client base.

This position would suit an experienced individual from a heavy industrial background, either in estimating or in technical sales, who is looking for a stable, office-based role. The role is ideal for someone who has built their expertise through hands‑on experience and is confident working on varied and often technically complex project enquiries.

The Mechanical Estimator will be responsible for supporting the sales team by preparing timely, accurate, and commercially sound cost estimates for bespoke mechanical systems and services. Candidates must be able to work from limited client information or basic engineering drawings and still produce reliable, high‑level estimates, sometimes for large or short‑lead time projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive and review RFQs (Requests for Quotation) from the sales team for a range of custom mechanical systems and services.
• Work closely with the sales and engineering teams to determine appropriate technical solutions and translate these into cost estimates.
• Interpret and work from limited client information, including basic engineering drawings and outline specifications.
• Identify and obtain costs for materials, subcontracted services, components, and consumables.
• Build and present clear cost models and support the commercial proposal process.
• Assist in bid clarification meetings or technical discussions with customers.
• Contribute to sales order administration and contract review activities as needed.
• Liaise internally across sales, engineering, and project management functions to ensure estimates reflect realistic technical and commercial assumptions.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• This role would suit a seasoned Estimator or Sales Engineer with a background in heavy engineering, mechanical systems, or industrial machinery.
• You may have previously worked in a client‑facing sales role and are now seeking a move to an office‑based position with more focus on technical estimating.
• You must be able to work independently, manage time effectively, and have confidence in your ability to estimate accurately from limited information.
• You should be proactive, adaptable, and comfortable dealing with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to develop cost models based on materials, labour, and third‑party inputs.
• Confidence in interpreting technical drawings.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines without compromising accuracy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with real industry experience who wants to be part of a specialist team working on technically interesting and globally distributed projects. The role offers the chance to use your practical knowledge in a more structured, office‑based environment without losing the challenge of complex project work.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.