Estimator - Energy & Rail

Carrington West; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Health cash plan

Cycle-to-work

EV lease scheme

Salary sacrifice

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking an experienced Estimator to join its Energy & Rail division. You will develop accurate cost estimates for major infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland, working closely with engineering, procurement and commercial teams.

The role offers hybrid working (three days in the office, two days from home) with flexible Derby-based locations and the chance to lead pricing activities, refine estimating tools and contribute to a growing estimating function.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as an Estimator in Energy or Rail infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, estimating methodologies and project pricing.
• Experience producing detailed estimates, quantity take-offs and cost breakdowns.
• Knowledge of overhead lines, underground cabling, substations or power transmission and distribution projects is advantageous.
• Experience estimating mechanical and electrical (M&E) works or power-related infrastructure is beneficial.
• Civil engineering estimating background will be considered.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and construction methodologies.
• Good commercial awareness evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Strong numerical, analytical and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for Energy infrastructure and rail projects, including overhead lines, underground cabling and substations.
• Review drawings, specs and docs to establish full scope of works.
• Carry out quantity take-offs and prepare bills of quantities, cost schedules and pricing breakdowns.
• Calculate labour, plant, material, equipment and subcontractor costs for estimates.
• Obtain and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations to ensure competitive pricing.
• Assess construction methodologies, resources and programmes to determine costs.
• Identify financial risks, pricing assumptions and cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with engineering and commercial teams to reflect technical requirements.
• Maintain and improve estimating tools, cost databases and historical pricing data.
• Review estimates against market rates and supplier quotations.
• Support handover of estimates to commercial and operations teams.
• Senior roles: review estimates and help set estimating standards.

Skills

Estimating experience

Cost estimation

Reading drawings

M&E knowledge

Civil engineering estimating

Commercial awareness

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Organisation

Job description

Estimator - Energy & Rail

Derby (flexible, with multiple office locations across the UK)

Hybrid - 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

Up to £65,000 per annum (DOE)

Are you an experienced Estimator looking to work on major energy and rail infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland? Would you like the opportunity to take ownership of project pricing, develop accurate cost estimates and play an important role in building a growing estimating function?

You will have the opportunity to work on high-value projects across overhead lines, underground cabling, substations and wider power infrastructure, with the backing of an established international organisation.

Whether you are looking to develop your technical estimating experience or take on greater responsibility within a growing team, this is an opportunity to progress your career in a business investing heavily in its Energy and Rail divisions.

The Opportunity

My client is an established infrastructure contractor experiencing significant growth across the Energy and Rail sectors.

With a strong financial position and an expanding pipeline of major infrastructure projects, the business is strengthening its estimating capabilities to support continued growth.

As an Estimator, you will be responsible for producing accurate, competitive and commercially robust cost estimates for infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on power transmission and distribution.

You will work closely with engineering, procurement and commercial teams to understand project requirements, assess construction costs and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing detailed cost estimates for Energy infrastructure projects, including overhead lines, underground cabling, substations and associated works plus rail projects.
• Reviewing technical drawings, specifications and project documentation to establish the full scope of works.
• Undertaking quantity take-offs and preparing bills of quantities, cost schedules and detailed pricing breakdowns.
• Calculating labour, plant, material, equipment and subcontractor costs to produce accurate project estimates.
• Obtaining, reviewing and comparing supplier and subcontractor quotations to establish competitive pricing.
• Assessing construction methodologies, resource requirements and project programmes to determine associated costs.
• Identifying financial risks, pricing assumptions and opportunities for cost savings.
• Working alongside engineering and commercial teams to ensure estimates reflect technical requirements and project delivery methods.
• Maintaining and improving estimating tools, cost databases and historical pricing information.
• Reviewing cost estimates against market rates, supplier quotations and historical project data.
• Supporting the handover of successful estimates to commercial and operational teams.
• For senior positions, reviewing estimates prepared by other team members and helping develop consistent estimating standards.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Previous experience working as an Estimator within Energy or rail Infrastructure.
• A strong understanding of construction costs, estimating methodologies and project pricing.
• Experience producing detailed estimates, quantity take-offs and cost breakdowns.
• Knowledge of overhead lines, underground cabling, substations or power transmission and distribution projects would be particularly advantageous.
• Experience estimating mechanical and electrical (M&E) works or power-related infrastructure would be highly beneficial.
• Candidates with a civil engineering estimating background will also be considered.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and construction methodologies.
• Good commercial awareness and confidence evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Strong numerical, analytical and organisational skills.

Salary & Benefits

You will receive a competitive package reflecting your experience and level of responsibility, including:

• Salary: Up to £65,000 (DOE)
• Car Allowance: £5,400 - £6,500 per annum, subject to eligibility
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays.
• Additional Benefits: Enhanced family-friendly policies, health cash plan, cycle-to-work scheme and salary sacrifice options.
• Vehicle Options: Access to electric vehicle and company lease schemes, subject to eligibility.

Career Development & Flexibility

You will be joining a business investing in the development of its estimating capabilities, offering the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects and contribute to the growth of its Energy and Rail division.

For developing estimators, there will be opportunities to gain exposure to larger and more complex projects, strengthen technical knowledge and progress into more senior estimating positions.

You will benefit from a hybrid working arrangement, with three days in the office and two days working remotely. Office location is flexible, with the emphasis on finding the right technical expertise.

The interview process is typically two stages, beginning with a Microsoft Teams interview, followed by a second-stage discussion which may be conducted face-to-face depending on location and seniority.