Senior Estimator

RWR Construction; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

RWR Construction NZ is partnering with an established Auckland civil contractor to hire an experienced Civil Estimator. You will price civil infrastructure projects, build detailed rates, and review drawings and tender documentation as part of a lean, commercially focused team.

You’ll work across earthworks, drainage, utilities, retaining structures, rail and general civil works, using Candy to model costs and margins.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of civil estimating experience.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand civil construction market.
• Experience across earthworks, drainage, utilities, retaining structures, rail, or general civil works.
• Ability to manage tenders from start to finish and protect project margins.
• Experience using Candy estimating software or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Price civil infrastructure projects across multiple disciplines.
• Build detailed rates and estimates using Candy.
• Review drawings, specs, and tender documents.
• Identify commercial, contractual, and project risks.
• Own tenders from initiation to award and delivery.
• Collaborate with commercial, engineering and delivery teams.
• Monitor project performance post-tender to secure profitable work.

Skills

Civil estimation

NZ civil market knowledge

Risk & margin management

Drawing & specification interpretation

Tendering lifecycle

Commercial judgement

Tools

Candy

Job description

The Opportunity:

We're partnering with an established New Zealand civil contractor looking for an experienced Civil Estimator to join its Auckland team.

This is a lean, commercially focused business delivering civil infrastructure projects across New Zealand, with work spanning earthworks, drainage, utilities, retaining structures, rail and general civil construction.

The contractor works alongside major Tier 1 organisations while also delivering its own projects as head contractor, predominantly using its own crews, with project values extending up to the $10M–$40M range.

They're looking for an estimator who can do more than price work — they want someone who understands how to win the right projects and deliver profitable outcomes.

The Role You'll be responsible for:

• Pricing civil infrastructure projects across multiple disciplines.


• Building detailed rates and estimates using Candy.


• Reviewing drawings, specifications and tender documentation.


• Identifying commercial, contractual and project risks.


• Taking genuine ownership of tenders from start to finish.


• Working closely with commercial, engineering and delivery teams.


• Understanding project performance beyond tender award.


• Helping the business secure profitable work.

What We're Looking For:

• 5–10+ years' civil estimating experience.


• Strong knowledge of the New Zealand civil construction market.


• Broad experience across earthworks, drainage, utilities, retaining structures, rail and/or general civil works.


• Strong commercial judgement alongside technical estimating capability.


• Confidence interpreting drawings, specifications and contractual requirements.


• Experience following projects from tender through delivery, claims and close-out.


• A track record of understanding and protecting project margins.


• Candy experience or strong experience with comparable estimating systems.

A Tier 1 civil contracting background would be highly regarded, particularly if you're looking to move away from a larger corporate structure and take greater ownership of your work.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to join a smaller, agile contractor where your contribution will be visible and your commercial judgement will matter.

You’ll find:

• Greater ownership and accountability.


• Less corporate bureaucracy.


• Broad exposure across civil disciplines.


• A direct and commercially focused environment.


• The opportunity to influence which projects the business pursues and wins.


• Remuneration that can reflect the capability and value you bring.