Principal Estimator

Babcock International; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Bristol seeks a Principal Estimator to manage financial aspects of program delivery. You will establish best practices in estimating, coordinate project forecasts, and develop estimates for bids. Ideal candidates have strong estimating backgrounds and an understanding of Project Controls. This role offers flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched pension contribution

Access to Digital GP and health consultations

Employee share scheme

Professional fees payment

10-days special paid leave for reservists

Holiday Trading option

Be Kind Day for volunteering

Development opportunities and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Strong background as an Estimator.
• Demonstrated understanding of Project Controls.

Responsibilities

• Establish best practice estimating systems across the projects.
• Coordinate project work-in-progress and estimate completion forecasts.
• Develop estimates for bid proposals and contract changes.
• Support development of Cost Breakdown Structure for new projects.
• Liaise with various disciplines to ensure integrated estimates.

Skills

Estimator experience

Understanding of Project Controls

Job description

Job Title: Principal Estimator

Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol. Hybrid working available

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF 67080

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Estimator at our Ashton Vale, Bristol site.

The role

As a Principal Estimator, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll be working on supporting the delivery of vital military capability. With our track record of innovation, you’ll continually develop your knowledge and expertise. Day to day, you’ll be supporting the UK Submarine Portfolio in providing project estimating services. At Babcock, we have a history of helping talent go far.

Day-to-day, you will play a crucial role in managing the cost and financial aspects of programme delivery through to completion. This includes the development and implementation of effective cost estimating processes and techniques, to ensure that the forecasts for both bids and on-contract work are robust.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Establish, implement, and maintain best practice estimating systems across the Portfolio, including standardisation of approach within the Portfolio working with the Project Controls discipline.
• Coordinate and develop project work-in-progress (WIP) commitment and estimate at complete (EAC) forecasts.
• Coordinate and develop estimates for bid proposals and large value contract changes.
• Support the development of the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) for new projects.
• Liaising with Risk, Scheduling, Cost Control Discipline Leads to ensure robust and integrated estimates.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and is based on site at Ashton Vale, Bristol. Hybrid working available.

Essential experience of the Principal Estimator

• You must have a strong background as an Estimator.
• You must have an understanding of Project Controls.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.

What We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually
• Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing

Babcock International
For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing Date: 16/09/2025