Senior Estimator - Energy & Rail

Carrington West; Derby; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus arrangements

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme with salary exchange

Health cash plan

Cycle-to-work scheme

Salary sacrifice options

EV/company lease options

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking a Senior Estimator for energy and rail infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. You will lead pricing and cost estimation for high-value schemes, including overhead lines, substations and civil works, while shaping the estimating function.

You will influence pricing methodologies, develop processes, and support a growing estimating team within a financially secure international organisation. Hybrid working with office/remote mix is offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator in Energy and Rail sectors.
• Strong track record producing detailed cost estimates for complex engineering projects.
• Experience with energy infrastructure such as substations, overhead lines or underground cabling.
• Background in electrical or M&E estimating highly beneficial.
• Knowledge of estimating methodologies, quantity take-offs and pricing structures.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of detailed cost estimates for major energy infrastructure and rail projects.
• Prepare pricing breakdowns for labour, plant, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
• Review drawings and specifications to determine costs.
• Oversee quantity take-offs, BOQs and cost calculations.
• Assess construction methodologies and resource needs for pricing accuracy.
• Obtain and analyse supplier/subcontractor quotations to establish competitive costs.
• Identify pricing risks and opportunities for value engineering.
• Collaborate with design, engineering and commercial teams to develop estimates.
• Review and validate estimates for accuracy and risk allowances.
• Maintain cost databases and estimating systems.
• Support handover of estimates to project delivery teams.
• Help develop estimating processes and guide junior estimators.

Skills

Senior Estimator experience

Energy & Rail projects

Detailed cost estimates

Overhead lines experience

Substations experience

Electrical/M&E estimating

Civil engineering estimates

Pricing methodologies

Interpret technical drawings

Negotiating supplier quotes

Job description

Senior 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 £85,000 per annum (DOE)

Are you an experienced Senior Estimator looking to take ownership of major energy and rail infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland and play a key role in developing a growing estimating function?

You will have the opportunity to lead the pricing and cost estimation of high-value projects across overhead lines, underground cabling, substations and rail, while helping shape estimating processes within an expanding business.

This is an excellent opportunity to take on greater technical responsibility, influence commercial decisions and establish yourself as a key member of a growing Energy and rail divisions, backed by a financially secure international organisation.

The Opportunity

My client is a well-established infrastructure contractor experiencing significant growth across its Energy and Rail operations.

With a strong financial position, an expanding portfolio of major projects and ambitious plans for continued growth, the business is investing in its estimating capabilities to support its expanding presence within the UK energy market and rail sectors across the UK and Ireland.

What You'll Be Doing

• Taking ownership of detailed cost estimates for major energy infrastructure projects, including overhead lines, underground cabling, substations and associated electrical and civil works, as well as across Rail.
• Preparing comprehensive pricing breakdowns covering labour, plant, materials, equipment, subcontractors and project overheads.
• Reviewing technical drawings, specifications and project documentation to determine construction requirements and associated costs.
• Undertaking and overseeing quantity take-offs, bills of quantities and detailed cost calculations.
• Assessing construction methodologies, project programmes and resource requirements to ensure accurate pricing.
• Obtaining, analysing and negotiating supplier and subcontractor quotations to establish competitive costs.
• Identifying pricing risks, cost uncertainties and opportunities for value engineering.
• Working closely with design, engineering and commercial teams to develop technically accurate and commercially competitive estimates.
• Reviewing and validating estimates to ensure consistency, accuracy and appropriate risk allowances.
• Maintaining and improving cost databases, estimating systems and historical pricing information.
• Supporting the handover of successful estimates to project delivery and commercial teams.
• Helping develop estimating processes and providing technical guidance to less experienced estimators.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator or an experienced Estimator ready to take on greater responsibility within Energy and Rail.
• Strong experience producing detailed cost estimates for complex engineering or construction projects across Energy or Rail.
• Experience within power transmission and distribution, substations, overhead lines or underground cabling would be particularly advantageous.
• A background in electrical or mechanical and electrical (M&E) infrastructure estimating would be highly beneficial.
• Candidates with significant civil engineering estimating experience, particularly on infrastructure projects, will also be considered.
• Strong knowledge of estimating methodologies, construction costs, quantity take-offs and pricing structures.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and construction methodologies.
• Experience reviewing subcontractor and supplier quotations and assessing commercial risks.
• Excellent numerical, analytical and commercial skills.
• Confidence working independently on complex estimates and providing technical support to wider project teams.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: Up to £85,000 (DOE)
• Car Allowance: £5,400 - £6,500 per annum, subject to eligibility.
• Bonus: Bonus arrangements considered depending on experience and seniority.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays.
• Pension: Pension scheme with salary exchange arrangements.
• 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 an organisation at an important stage of growth, with the opportunity to play a significant role in strengthening its Energy and Rail estimating capabilities.

Rather than simply producing estimates, you will have the opportunity to influence pricing methodologies, improve estimating processes and contribute to the development of a growing technical team.

With continued investment in its Energy and Rail operations, there will be opportunities to progress into Lead Estimator or estimating management positions as the business expands.

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 securing the right technical expertise rather than a specific geographical location.

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.