Senior Pharma Cost Estimator & Quantity Surveyor

AtkinsRéalis; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator / Quantity Surveyor to support major pharmaceutical and life sciences capital investments in Cork. You will perform cost estimating, take-offs and bid analysis within an Owner’s Representative team, ensuring robust cost planning and value-driven decisions.

You will develop cost plans, benchmark costs, and collaborate with design and project teams to align scope and estimates across all project phases.

Qualifications

• Relevant years of experience in cost estimating, quantity surveying or commercial management.
• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, industrial, semiconductor or mission critical projects (Process & Mechanical Experience).
• Strong understanding of construction costs, market pricing and estimating methodologies.
• Experience preparing conceptual, pre-tender and detailed construction estimates.
• Demonstrable experience undertaking quantity take-offs and cost reconciliations.
• Excellent analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work within multidisciplinary project teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for pharmaceutical and life sciences capital projects.
• Perform quantity take-offs from drawings, BIM models and design documentation.
• Develop pre-tender estimates and benchmark costs against market intelligence.
• Review and validate contractor and supplier pricing submissions.
• Conduct bid analysis and reconcile tender returns against project budgets and scope requirements.
• Prepare cost plans and estimate updates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Source current pricing information from contractors, suppliers and market databases.
• Analyse project costs and identify risks, opportunities and cost-saving measures.
• Support budget development, forecasting and cost reporting activities.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers and project teams to ensure alignment of scope and estimates.
• Maintain estimating databases, cost libraries and benchmarking information.
• Prepare cost reconciliations and explain variances between estimates and project outcomes.
• Participate in project meetings and provide commercial input to support project decision making.
• Undertake site visits as required to review project scope, progress and construction activities.

Skills

Cost estimating

Cost planning

Quantity take-offs

Tender analysis

Bid evaluation

Cost benchmarking

Market analysis

Budget development

Forecasting

Cost reporting

Variance analysis

Commercial risk assessment

Value engineering

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline

Membership of RICS, SCSI, CIOB or equivalent professional body is desirable

Certifications in estimating, quantity surveying or cost management

Tools

CostX

BIM-based quantity take-off tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator / Quantity Surveyor to support major pharmaceutical and life sciences capital investments in Cork. You will perform cost estimating, take-offs and bid analysis within an Owner’s Representative team, ensuring robust cost planning and value-driven decisions.

You will develop cost plans, benchmark costs, and collaborate with design and project teams to align scope and estimates across all project phases.