Quantity Surveyor - Cost Estimating

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 145,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is recruiting a skilled Quantity Surveyor - Cost Estimating in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role focuses on quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, WBS development, Basis of Estimate preparation, and contract cost analysis to support major construction programs.

You will translate drawings and specs into reliable cost estimates and manage risk across project controls and commercial teams. The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years in QS/estimating with strong experience in historical cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience involving estimating, quantity surveying, cost engineering, or similar construction activities.
• Experience preparing quantity and material takeoffs from drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed material and quantity takeoffs from drawings, plans, specifications, and contract documentation.
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures that clearly define contract, project, system, and program scope.
• Create Basis of Estimate documentation describing scope, methodology, pricing, assumptions, exclusions, and conclusions.
• Document labor, materials, equipment, productivity, escalation, and other cost inputs used in estimate development.
• Develop probable construction costs from design and contractual information.
• Include project general conditions, site costs, indirect requirements, and execution expenditures within estimates.
• Apply estimating methodologies according to scope maturity and detail.
• Use historical and parametric cost data for early-stage estimates.

Skills

Quantity Surveying

Cost Estimating

Construction Estimating

Material Takeoffs

Quantity Takeoffs

Basis of Estimate

Work Breakdown Structure

Cost Breakdown

Cost Planning

Probable Cost Estimates

Parametric Estimating

Historical Cost Analysis

Top-Down Estimating

Bottom-Up Estimating

Unit Rate Analysis

Labor Cost Analysis

Material Cost Analysis

Equipment Cost Analysis

Productivity Analysis

General Conditions

Job Cost Estimating

Cost Benchmarking

Scope Definition

Scope Sheets

Request for Quotation

Supplier Pricing

Subcontractor Pricing

Estimate Database Management

Historical Cost Databases

Cost Data Analysis

Estimate Quality Control

Construction Cost Risk

Risk Allowances

Cost Exposure Analysis

Contract Review

Commercial Documents

Engineering Drawings

Technical Specifications

Construction Contracts

Project Controls

Primavera

Schedule Integration

Cost Forecasting

Value Engineering

Cost Reporting

Estimate Documentation

Construction Methodology

Cost Comparison

Technical Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline

Job description

Quantity Surveyor - Cost Estimating Job Snapshot Role: Quantity Surveyor - Cost Estimating Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Industry: Construction Function: Cost Estimating Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant quantity surveying, estimating, or construction cost experience Job Type: Full-time Salary: 13000-19000 Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any

Quantity Surveyor - Cost Estimating in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a Construction opportunity focused on quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, Work Breakdown Structures, Basis of Estimate preparation, contract cost analysis, and commercial risk assessment. Parsons is hiring an experienced quantity surveying professional to develop reliable cost estimates from engineering drawings, specifications, historical project data, labor and material rates, and contract requirements while supporting major construction and infrastructure programs. Country: Saudi Arabia City: Riyadh

Role Context

The Quantity Surveyor will support project and program decision-making by converting engineering scope, drawings, specifications, construction methodology, and commercial requirements into structured and defensible cost estimates. The position will work across material takeoffs, estimate development, historical cost analysis, risk allowances, Work Breakdown Structures, and estimate quality control, helping project teams understand probable contract costs before commercial commitments are made.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed material and quantity takeoffs from engineering drawings, plans, specifications, and contract documentation.
• Review quantity takeoffs prepared by other team members for completeness, scope definition, consistency, and accuracy.
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures that clearly define contract, project, system, and program scope.
• Break complex project requirements into measurable work packages suitable for quantity and cost development.
• Interpret contract documents to determine the full extent of work included within an estimate.
• Prepare Basis of Estimate documentation describing scope, methodology, pricing approach, assumptions, exclusions, and conclusions.
• Document labor, materials, equipment, productivity, escalation, and other cost inputs used in estimate development.
• Develop probable construction costs from available design and contractual information.
• Include project general conditions, site costs, indirect requirements, and execution‑related expenditure within estimates.
• Apply appropriate estimating methodologies according to the maturity and level of scope definition.
• Use historical and parametric cost data for early‑stage or order‑of‑magnitude estimates.
• Compare proposed projects against similar completed contracts to establish reasonable cost benchmarks.
• Apply top‑down estimating approaches where design information remains preliminary.
• Define the expected function, scope, systems, and outputs of proposed assets when developing conceptual estimates.
• Use bottom‑up estimating techniques when sufficiently detailed drawings, specifications, and quantities are available.
• Build detailed cost estimates using individual activities, resources, quantities, production rates, and unit costs.
• Compare detailed estimates against historical projects to identify unusual cost trends or assumptions.
• Prepare scope sheets for procurement and market‑pricing exercises.
• Develop Requests for Quotation or pricing inquiries for suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Collect and evaluate pricing information received through formal quotations and market research.
• Support Estimating Leads with historical cost database development and maintenance.
• Compile cost information from completed design and construction contracts for future estimating use.
• Analyze historical productivity, labor utilization, activity duration, construction methodology, and resource data.
• Maintain organized cost records that support benchmarking and future estimate development.
• Review contract documentation to identify risks that could materially affect estimated project cost.
• Assess potential cost exposure associated with technical, contractual, schedule, procurement, and execution risks.
• Assign appropriate allowances and contingency considerations where uncertainty exists.
• Consider potential schedule effects when evaluating cost exposure.
• Support estimate risk reviews and provide quantitative information for management decisions.
• Perform estimate quality control reviews before formal issue.
• Check calculations, rates, quantities, exclusions, assumptions, and scope coverage.
• Verify that estimate outputs remain consistent with drawings, specifications, and project execution requirements.
• Identify missing scope, inconsistencies, or ambiguous information that could affect estimate reliability.
• Maintain clear traceability between quantities, rates, assumptions, and source documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering disciplines to clarify scope and technical requirements.
• Coordinate with Project Controls, Commercial, Procurement, and Construction teams when developing estimates.
• Support comparison of alternative design or construction options from a cost perspective.
• Provide cost information for value engineering and project optimization activities.
• Assist in development of budget estimates and cost forecasts where required.
• Support preparation of commercial and management reports covering estimating assumptions and conclusions.
• Provide technical guidance to Associate Estimators and junior cost personnel.
• Review work produced by junior team members and provide practical feedback.
• Participate in small estimating teams responsible for producing complete project deliverables.
• Ensure estimates satisfy Parsons, client, and project requirements.
• Maintain familiarity with approved estimating procedures, company policies, and project practices.
• Use estimating database software and other approved cost management tools effectively.
• Support integration of estimating information with project controls and scheduling systems where required.
• Maintain accurate estimating records for audit, review, and future historical analysis.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement of estimating methods, databases, and cost benchmarks.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience involving estimating, quantity surveying, cost engineering, or similar construction activities.
• Practical experience preparing quantity and material takeoffs from technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of standard estimating methodologies used within engineering and construction projects.
• Experience developing Work Breakdown Structures and structured estimate packages.
• Ability to prepare detailed Basis of Estimate documentation.
• Good understanding of labor, material, equipment, productivity, escalation, and indirect cost components.
• Experience using historical and parametric cost information to develop benchmark estimates.
• Ability to perform both top‑down and bottom‑up estimating according to available scope definition.
• Experience reviewing construction contracts, drawings, specifications, and commercial documentation.
• Strong understanding of how contract terms and execution risks can affect probable project cost.
• Previous experience using estimating database‑supported software is required.
• Familiarity with Primavera scheduling software is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Estimate‑Schedule Transfer tools, Contract Manager, or comparable project controls systems is beneficial.
• Familiarity with Document and Materials Control Systems would add value.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability.
• High attention to detail when reviewing quantities, rates, assumptions, and estimate calculations.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with engineers, estimators, project controls personnel, and commercial teams.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple estimating assignments and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary estimating teams.

Skills Set

• Quantity Surveying
• Cost Estimating
• Construction Estimating
• Material Takeoffs
• Quantity Takeoffs
• Basis of Estimate
• Work Breakdown Structure
• Cost Breakdown
• Cost Planning
• Probable Cost Estimates
• Parametric Estimating
• Historical Cost Analysis
• Top-Down Estimating
• Bottom-Up Estimating
• Unit Rate Analysis
• Labor Cost Analysis
• Material Cost Analysis
• Equipment Cost Analysis
• Productivity Analysis
• General Conditions
• Job Cost Estimating
• Cost Benchmarking
• Scope Definition
• Scope Sheets
• Request for Quotation
• Supplier Pricing
• Subcontractor Pricing
• Estimate Database Management
• Historical Cost Databases
• Cost Data Analysis
• Estimate Quality Control
• Construction Cost Risk
• Risk Allowances
• Cost Exposure Analysis
• Contract Review
• Commercial Documents
• Engineering Drawings
• Technical Specifications
• Construction Contracts
• Project Controls
• Primavera
• Schedule Integration
• Cost Forecasting
• Value Engineering
• Cost Reporting
• Estimate Documentation
• Construction Methodology
• Cost Comparison
• Technical Coordination

Why Join Us

This position provides practical involvement in the cost foundations of major construction and infrastructure projects in Riyadh. The role offers exposure to detailed quantity takeoffs, early‑stage parametric estimates, bottom‑up cost development, historical cost databases, contract risk assessment, and integrated project controls. It also provides a strong progression path toward senior quantity surveying, cost engineering, estimating leadership, and commercial management responsibilities.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation delivers engineering, infrastructure, construction management, program management, and technology solutions for major projects worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, Parsons supports large‑scale transportation, urban development, construction, and infrastructure programs through multidisciplinary engineering, estimating, project controls, commercial management, and project delivery expertise.