Estimator / Designer (IT Infrastructure)

Raven Search; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Commission

Pension scheme

Medicash

Cycle to Work

Employee Assistance Programme

Death in Service

Job summary

Raven Search is assisting a fast-growing technology and infrastructure business in Oldham, offering a hybrid Estimator/Designer role. You will support estimating, technical design and bid development across IT infrastructure, structured cabling, low-voltage electrical and wireless systems.

This development role provides a clear pathway toward Senior Estimator/Designer with senior mentorship. The role reports to the Commercial Director and is based in Oldham with hybrid working.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of relevant estimating and design experience.
• Experience in IT infrastructure, structured cabling, or wireless systems.
• Strong Excel skills and clear written/numerical ability.
• Commercial awareness with a drive toward senior roles.
• Desirable: experience with designed tenders or framework submissions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver cost estimates and tender submissions for complex projects.
• Interpret specs, drawings and client briefs into structured scopes and pricing.
• Define scope boundaries, assumptions and commercial considerations.
• Develop pricing models, bills of quantities and labour schedules for senior review.
• Identify risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Develop and review technical designs across IT infrastructure and cabling.
• Conduct site surveys and assess constructability and standards compliance.
• Produce technical and commercial proposal content.

Skills

Estimating and tendering

Technical design

Excel

Bid development

Commercial awareness

Education

Industry qualifications or competence

Tools

Simpro

Contract Master

AutoCAD Build

BIM

Ekahau

Trimble

BlueBeam

FieldWire

Job description

The Opportunity

Our client, a fast-growing technology and infrastructure business, is looking for an Estimator / Designer to join their pre-construction and commercial function. You would support estimating, technical design and bid development across complex, multi-discipline projects weighted towards IT infrastructure, structured cabling, low-voltage electrical and wireless systems.

This is a genuine development role rather than a fully autonomous senior position. You would work alongside senior estimators and designers, with structured support and a clear, defined pathway toward Senior Estimator / Designer level as your capability and ownership grow. Typically suited to someone with 3 to 5 years of relevant experience, it is an opportunity to build serious technical and commercial capability within a business that invests properly in that development.

The role reports to the Commercial Director and sits within a technically led business where pre-construction plays a genuinely central role in winning and delivering work. Permanent, Oldham, £35,000 to £45,000 depending on experience, plus commission and a full benefits package.

About the Business

Our client is a fast-growing, privately owned infrastructure and technology business, debt-free and financially independent, designing, installing and supporting complex connectivity and infrastructure projects for enterprise customers and channel partners nationwide.

Their portfolio spans Wi‑Fi 6/7, LAN, structured cabling, fibre optic, private cellular, smart hands services, planned and reactive maintenance, AV, IP CCTV, EV charging and sustainability services, delivering everything from single high-value enterprise projects to national multi‑site rollout programmes.

This is a hybrid role based from Oldham, and it is the second appointment ravensearch has made for this client following a successful placement earlier this year.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing and delivering cost estimates and tender submissions for technically complex projects, owning defined scopes or bid workstreams

• Interpreting specifications, drawings, employers requirements and client briefs, translating them into structured scopes, assumptions and pricing

• Defining and managing scope boundaries, assumptions, exclusions and commercial considerations within assigned areas of responsibility

• Developing pricing models, bills of quantities and labour schedules to a standard suitable for senior review and client submission

• Identifying technical, commercial and delivery risks within assigned scopes, escalating and proposing mitigation where appropriate

• Developing and reviewing technical designs across IT infrastructure, structured cabling, low-voltage electrical and wireless systems for assigned project elements

• Undertaking site surveys and technical assessments, confirming constructability, standards compliance and integration considerations

• Producing technical and commercial proposal content, including design narratives and supporting documentation

• Engaging with clients at bid and pre-construction stage on assigned workstreams, supporting solution development rather than simply responding to instruction

• Monitoring tender portals and procurement platforms relevant to assigned sectors or clients

What We’re Looking For

• Solid experience in estimating and technical design within a technology, infrastructure or engineering‑led environment

• Typically 3 to 5 years of relevant experience, supported by recognised industry qualifications or demonstrable professional competence

• Strong technical grounding in one or more of: passive and active IT infrastructure, structured cabling (copper and fibre), low‑voltage electrical infrastructure, or wireless and cellular systems

• Able to develop, design and price integrated, multi‑discipline solutions within defined scopes

• Strong Excel skills and clear, well‑structured written and numerical ability

• Commercially aware, accurate, and keen to progress toward a senior role

• Highly desirable: experience with fully designed tenders, framework submissions or Schedule of Rates contracts across private and public sectors

• Highly desirable: familiarity with tools such as Simpro, Contract Master, AutoCAD Build, BIM, Ekahau, Trimble, BlueBeam or FieldWire; full training provided

Whats on Offer

• £35,000 £45,000 depending on experience

• Performance‑related commission aligned to role contribution and business performance

• Hybrid and flexible working, supportive of family commitments

• Comprehensive benefits including Medicash, Cycle to Work, Employee Assistance Programme and Death in Service

• Pension scheme, paid annual leave plus bank holidays

• Regular company and customer events

• Structured development and mentoring toward Senior Estimator / Designer level

• Investment in training, certifications and ongoing professional development

• Exposure to varied, technically interesting projects across multiple sectors

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