Graduate Estimator

Novax Recruitment Ltd; Cavan; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Novax Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Graduate / Junior Estimator for structural steel in Cavan, Ireland. You will join an estimating team and gradually take on responsibility as you learn the process.

You will read tender drawings, prepare take-offs, develop costings, review quotations and assist with tender submissions, working with Senior Estimators and project teams. This is a career-start role for a candidate with a degree in QS/Engineering and a proactive, numbers-driven mindset.

Qualifications

• A Degree, HND or HNC in Quantity Surveying, Construction, Civil/Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• A good understanding of construction drawings.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Good Microsoft Excel / Office skills.
• The ability to work accurately and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of structural steel tenders and estimates.
• Read tender drawings, specifications and project information to understand what is being priced.
• Complete steelwork take-offs and measurements, building your understanding of quantities and materials.
• Develop accurate material, labour and fabrication costings with guidance from the estimating team.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations and learn how pricing decisions are made.
• Prepare tender submissions and assist with bid queries and clarifications.
• Work alongside Senior Estimators and the wider Contracts and Project Management teams, giving you exposure to what happens after a tender is won.

Skills

Numerical ability

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Willingness to learn

Deadline driven

Education

Quantity Surveying / Construction / Civil-Structural Eng degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Graduate / Junior Estimator - Structural Steel

Location: Cavan, Ireland
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Sector: Structural Steel / Construction

The Company

The steel leaving this business doesn't stay in the workshop for long.

It becomes part of major structural steel projects across Ireland, the UK and Europe - including work for major pharmaceutical and blue-chip clients.

Behind every one of those projects is an estimating team working out what the job will really take: how much steel is involved, what it will cost to fabricate, what needs to happen on site and where the commercial risks sit.

This is an opportunity to join that team at the start of your career and learn how structural steel goes from a set of drawings to a competitive tender.

The Role

You won't be expected to know structural steel estimating inside out from day one.

Instead, you'll work alongside experienced estimators and gradually take on more responsibility as you learn the process.

You will:

• Support the preparation of structural steel tenders and estimates.
• Read tender drawings, specifications and project information to understand what is being priced.
• Complete steelwork take-offs and measurements, building your understanding of quantities and materials.
• Develop accurate material, labour and fabrication costings with guidance from the estimating team.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations and learn how pricing decisions are made.
• Prepare tender submissions and assist with bid queries and clarifications.
• Work alongside Senior Estimators and the wider Contracts and Project Management teams, giving you exposure to what happens after a tender is won.

As you progress, you'll build an understanding of structural steel fabrication, erection methods, material pricing and the commercial decisions that sit behind successful projects.

The Candidate

This role is designed for someone at the beginning of your career who wants to build a future in construction estimating and structural steel.

You will ideally have:

• A Degree, HND or HNC in Quantity Surveying, Construction, Civil/Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• A good understanding of construction drawings.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Good Microsoft Excel / Office skills.
• The ability to work accurately and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn.
• A genuine interest in structural steel, construction or engineering.

Previous experience in structural steel estimating isn't expected.

A placement, work experience or background in construction, engineering, fabrication or estimating would be useful, but the bigger requirement is the potential to learn and develop.

Why Consider It?

• Start your career within a specialist structural steel environment.
• Learn directly from experienced estimators rather than being expected to know everything from day one.
• Gain exposure to large-scale projects across Ireland, the UK and Europe.
• Develop practical knowledge of steel fabrication, erection, tendering and project delivery.
• Build commercial and technical skills that can form the foundation of a long‑term career in estimating.
• Work alongside Contracts and Project Management teams to understand what happens beyond the tender stage.