Estimator - Underground

EWI Recruitment; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EWI Recruitment is seeking an experienced Estimator – Underground to prepare accurate estimates for underground infrastructure and civil projects. You will review tender docs, drawings and site information to develop detailed cost plans and submit competitive bids within tight deadlines.

You will identify scope, risks and opportunities, obtain quotations, and prepare bills of quantities, resource and plant schedules, preliminaries and programme costs.

Qualifications

• Experience in underground construction, utilities or civil engineering.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and construction programmes.
• Relevant qualification in quantity surveying, civil engineering or construction beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost plans, bills of quantities, and commercial summaries.
• Review enquiries and contract documents, identifying scope, risks and opportunities.
• Attend site visits, clarification meetings and tender interviews.
• Liaise with operations, engineering, procurement and commercial teams to ensure compliant estimates.
• Assist handover to delivery team following contract award.

Skills

Estimating

Cost planning

Tendering

Risk assessment

Communication

Education

Quantity surveying or civil engineering

Tools

Estimating software

Scheduling software

Quantity surveying software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Estimator – Underground to prepare accurate, competitive and commercially sound estimates for underground infrastructure and civil engineering projects. The successful candidate will assess tender documentation, specifications, drawings and site information to develop detailed cost plans and submit high-quality bids within required timescales. Projects may include utilities, drainage, ducting, excavation, reinstatement and associated groundworks.

Responsibilities will include reviewing enquiries and contract documents, identifying scope, risks, exclusions and opportunities, and obtaining competitive quotations from suppliers and subcontractors. You will prepare bills of quantities, resource and plant schedules, labour allowances, preliminaries, programme costs and commercial summaries. Liaising closely with operational, engineering, procurement and commercial teams, you will ensure estimates are practical, compliant and aligned with project delivery requirements. You may also attend site visits, clarification meetings and tender interviews, support value engineering activities, and assist with handover to the delivery team following contract award.

Applicants should have proven estimating experience within underground construction, utilities, civil engineering or a related sector, with a sound understanding of excavation, ground conditions, temporary works, traffic management, reinstatement and health and safety requirements. Strong analytical and numerical skills are essential, together with the ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and construction programmes. Experience using estimating, scheduling or quantity surveying software would be advantageous. You will be organised, commercially aware and confident managing multiple tenders under pressure, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. A relevant qualification in quantity surveying, civil engineering or construction would be beneficial, although relevant practical experience will also be considered.