Senior Estimator - Energy & Rail

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

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus options

Pension scheme

Health plan

Job summary

Carrington West is supporting a Derby-based energy and rail contractor seeking a Senior Estimator to own and develop cost estimates for major power and rail infrastructure across the UK and Ireland. The role offers hybrid working, flexible office locations, and the chance to shape estimating processes within a growing function.

You will lead pricing, review drawings, and collaborate with engineering, procurement and commercial teams to ensure accurate, competitive estimates while mentoring

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator or an experienced Estimator ready to take on greater responsibility.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Detailed cost estimates

Pricing experience

Drawings interpretation

Subcontractor quotations

Cost databases

Analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Tools

Estimating software

Pricing systems

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.

As a Senior Estimator, you will take responsibility for producing, reviewing and developing detailed cost estimates for major power and energy infrastructure projects. You will work closely with engineering, procurement and commercial teams to ensure estimates are accurate, competitive and commercially robust.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of estimating procedures, improve pricing methodologies and support the growth of the wider estimating function.

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

You will receive a competitive remuneration package reflecting your experience and technical expertise, including:

• 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.