Lead Estimator

DCS Recruitment; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Engineering is seeking a Lead Estimator to oversee cost estimates across engineering and construction projects. You will drive consistency in estimating processes, mentor a team of estimators, and support commercial decisions from concept through execution.

The role requires senior estimating experience, strong cost modelling skills, and the ability to coordinate inputs across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring accurate, competitive bids and robust risk management.

Qualifications

• Senior cost estimating experience in engineering or construction.
• Experience leading estimates for large-scale engineering and construction projects.
• Experience mentoring and developing an estimating team.
• Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Knowledge of cost estimating methodologies and benchmarking.
• Experience assessing project risks and contingency allowances.
• Understanding tendering, bid management, and contracts.
• Experience coordinating inputs across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Membership in professional bodies (RICS/CCP) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of cost estimates across EPC, procurement, construction, commissioning and project management activities.
• Coordinate estimating inputs from engineering, commercial, procurement, and supply chain teams.
• Review tender docs and drawings to establish accurate project costs.
• Evaluate supplier quotations and prepare client-facing estimates and clarifications.
• Develop estimating methodologies, cost models, and Basis of Estimate docs.
• Identify cost risks and contingencies to support robust estimates.
• Work with commercial teams to assess gross margins and project performance.
• Maintain cost databases, historical data and benchmarking standards.
• Validate estimates against projects and market trends.
• Lead and develop estimators to ensure consistent standards across the business.
• Support project delivery with budget development and cost forecasting.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating processes and governance.

Skills

Senior estimating

Leadership

Cost modelling

Tendering

Risk assessment

Cost benchmarking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Lead Estimator

Location: Office-based, with travel to other UK locations

Salary: Up to £90,000 (DOE)

Full-time | Permanent | 37.5 hours per week

DCS Engineering are currently supporting a growing engineering and technical organisation with the recruitment of a Lead Estimator to oversee the development of accurate, competitive cost estimates across a range of engineering and construction projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced estimating professional to take a lead role within a group-wide estimating function, driving consistency in processes, improving cost benchmarking and supporting commercial decision-making across projects from initial concept through to execution.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of cost estimates across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and project management activities.

• Coordinate estimating inputs from engineering, commercial, procurement, construction and supply chain teams.

• Review tender documentation, specifications, drawings and scopes of work to establish accurate project costs.

• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations and prepare client-facing estimates, proposals and clarifications.

• Develop estimating methodologies, cost models, work breakdown structures and Basis of Estimate documentation.

• Identify cost risks, opportunities and contingency allowances to support robust, risk-adjusted estimates.

• Work with commercial teams to assess expected gross margins, profitability and overall project performance.

• Maintain cost databases, historical project data, productivity benchmarks and estimating norms.

• Validate estimates against previous projects, market trends and industry benchmarks.

• Lead, mentor and develop estimators, ensuring consistent standards and estimating procedures across the business.

• Support project delivery teams with budget development, cost forecasting, variations, change orders and claims.

• Drive continuous improvement across estimating processes, systems and governance.

The Candidate:

• Proven experience in a senior cost estimating role within engineering, construction or a related technical environment.

• Experience leading estimates for large-scale engineering and construction projects.

• Demonstrable experience leading, mentoring and developing an estimating team.

• Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Cost Engineering or a related discipline.

• Strong knowledge of cost estimating methodologies, cost modelling, quantity take-offs and benchmarking.

• Experience assessing project risks, contingency allowances and commercial cost exposure.

• Good understanding of tendering, bid management, contracts and commercial project requirements.

• Experience coordinating estimating inputs across multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with technical teams, commercial stakeholders and senior management.

• Experience developing estimating procedures, cost databases and productivity benchmarks.

• Proactive approach to process improvement, governance and maintaining consistent estimating standards.

• Professional membership or qualifications such as RICS or AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP) would be advantageous.

INDENG

DCS Recruitment and all associated companies are committed to creating a working environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, age, or nationality