Senior Estimator - Life Sciences

Jacobs Engineering Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group in Ireland seeks a Senior Estimator to support major life sciences capital programmes. You will develop engineers’ estimates using top down and bottom up methods, with strong cost engineering and quantity surveying expertise.

Experience in EPCM environments and interfacing with project teams is essential. You will work within a capable Estimating Team, driving accuracy, consistency and continuous improvement across feasibility to basic design stages, including risk

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in cost engineering, quantity surveying or estimating for large projects.
• Experience delivering EPCM estimates and cost control across life sciences or industrial sectors.
• Ability to develop estimates at feasibility, concept and basic design stages.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver accurate estimates aligned with Jacobs standards.
• Lead estimate planning and risk analysis for assigned projects.
• Contribute to cost benchmarking, data quality and continuous improvement.
• Present estimates to stakeholders and support value engineering workshops.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost engineering

Project estimation

EPCM experience

Client coordination

Education

BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering

Chartered membership of Engineers Ireland or SCSI (advantageous)

Tools

CostX

Navisworks

Excel

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The Life Sciences team in Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to support major capital investment programmes across the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical sectors. As part of our Estimating function, you will play a key role in shaping cost intelligence for some of the largest and most complex projects in the region. We are looking for a candidate with deep expertise in developing Engineers’ Estimates for EPCM driven projects, ideally within Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical environments. You will bring strong technical capability, sound commercial judgement, and a commitment to consistent, high quality estimating delivery.

Role Overview:

As a core member of the Estimating Team, you will support all projects within the business unit, ensuring that estimating requirements are met with accuracy, transparency and consistency. You will be proficient across all aspects of estimating and cost engineering, with the ability to develop estimates using both top down and bottom up methodologies at feasibility, concept and basic design stages. Experience in project controls and quantity surveying is advantageous.

Key Accountabilities:

• Ensure all estimating needs for assigned projects are met, reporting to the Estimating Section Head.
• Deliver high quality, accurate and timely estimates aligned with Jacobs’ standards and client expectations.
• Build strong, respectful working relationships with project teams and client stakeholders.
• Meet commitments on schedule, effort hours and cost budgets.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve tools, templates, processes and data quality.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Implement Operating Procedures for estimating activities and ensure consistent adoption across projects.
• Standardise estimating delivery—tools, templates, filing structures—to embed a Jacobs wide approach.
• Develop and execute estimate plans for all assigned projects.
• Compile project estimates in line with approved plans and standard procedures.
• Perform estimate risk analysis and contingency assessments.
• Present and review estimates with project teams, senior management and clients.
• Consolidate benchmark data in a centralised, traceable repository to capture lessons learned and improve future estimates.
• Lead Value Engineering and Risk Workshops to support project optimisation.
• Support and promote Capital Cost Trending, Jacobs Value Plus, and Jacobs Sustainability Plus initiatives.
• Ensure systems and processes meet all project management and client requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating tools and productivity, leveraging platforms such as Cost x, Navisworks, Excel, and other digital solutions.

Here’s what you’ll need

• BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of Engineers Ireland, SCSI, or equivalent (advantageous).
• Extensive experience in cost engineering, quantity surveying, or estimating, including time spent on construction sites.
• Proven experience delivering estimates for large scale industrial projects, ideally within Life Sciences or other advanced technology sectors.
• Strong understanding of EPCM project environments.

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