Estimator - Transportation

If you are looking to work for a growing business who truly value and care for their employees, then look no further!

Job description

As an Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing accurate and timely estimates for rail civils projects and frameworks, as well as producing and submitting quotations, bids and tenders to meet the business requirements.

You will be responsible for pricing and developing bids for Network Rail and Tier 1 Subcontractors by producing robust tender estimates. You will lead the development of client tender information into a comprehensive price for tender submission.

Duties and responsibilities

As the Estimator, the responsibilities of your role will include but not be limited to:

Lead estimates

• Check Tender Information for completeness and raise potential areas of concern – can this lack of information be useful to us at contract stage? It may be better to leave the lack of information un-clarified.
• Produce quantity take-offs from tender information/drawings using either traditional methods or Causeway/similar software.
• Regularly back-up/save work, in a secure manner, to ensure no data loss exceeds a couple of hours work.
• Preparation, using agreed company format, of Sub-contract & Material enquiry documentation. Forward documentation to Administration Department for formal enquiry issue. Advise on any companies/suppliers who should or should not receive the enquiry.
• Analysis of Sub-Contracts, supplier and merchant quotations – including “normalisation”
• Analysis of benchmark data from historic projects/norms against the first principles tender build ups where possible.
• Discuss and agree resourcing and works outputs with Planner, Bid Manager and delivery team working on the tender.
• On occasions support the bid team by producing methodologies for works delivery to go with tender submissions.

• Undertake estimates in accordance with Company procedures
• Lead team of estimators for larger tenders, mentoring and developing junior estimators
• Identify opportunity and risk during tender process
• Liaise with the business unit, Bid Manager and Planner to agree methodology and principles
• Maintain register of key assumptions within estimate
• Maintain tender estimate file
• Provide indicative pricing support for business development
• Obtain feedback from site teams on estimating adequacy and current costs
• Obtaining and analysing quotations from subcontractors, suppliers and plant providers.
• Pricing labour, materials, plant, subcontractor costs, preliminaries, overheads and project-specific requirements.
• Liaising with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and project teams to clarify tender requirements and obtain accurate costs.
• Identifying commercial risks, exclusions, assumptions and potential areas of cost exposure within tenders.
• Carrying out value engineering and identifying alternative construction methods or materials to improve cost efficiency.
• Preparing detailed tender documentation, pricing schedules and supporting information for submission.
• Working closely with the commercial and pre-construction teams to ensure estimates are accurate and commercially viable.
• Attending site visits and pre-tender meetings where required to assess project conditions and potential risks.
• Maintaining accurate estimating records and updating cost databases with current labour, material and subcontractor rates.
• Monitoring tender deadlines and ensuring all bids are completed and submitted accurately and on time.

Present estimates at adjudication

• Prepare estimating ‘adjudication pack’
• Present basis of estimate and key assumptions
• Maintain notes of adjudication meetings
• Close out actions and monitor customer negotiations, seeking amended authority as required

Handover to site teams at contract award

• Prepare estimating handover packs to operational and commercial teams ready for use in Rail Dairy and Construction Manager software
• Maintain notes of handover meeting
• Provide ongoing support to site teams relating to estimate and key assumptions

Key measures and targets

• Winning work to meet Aureos growth and road to 2030 objectives and beyond
• Developing a coherent and consistent tender submission with the use of key estimating assumptions
• Developing a tender win strategy alongside the business unit teams
• Providing temporary works support for tenders and for the design element of design and construct tenders

The ideal candidate will have

• Engineering or commercial background
• Experience in Civils (large and small scale), Rail (Civils, Track, M&E, Earthworks, Buildings and more), Highways, Energy and Utilities (at least 10 years of rail experience)
• Proven track record working on tenders – small sub £250k to multi million packages and frameworks
• Numerate and IT literate, familiar with estimating software and Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel
• Chartered, incorporated status or similar
• Confidence in dealing with customers and personnel within Auroes at a senior level
• Ability to closely collaborate with other project teams and stakeholders
• Excellent research, proposal writing, and oral presentation skills
• Extensive knowledge of best industry practises and standards
• Ability to ensure all tender submissions are both feasible and profitable
• Ability to travel extensively and perform site visits
• A full UK driving licence
• Diploma of higher education (required)
• NEC suite of contracts: at least 3 years of experience (required)

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a company within the Transportation and Energy Sectors with progression opportunities within the wider business group.

Position Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of proven experience working as an Estimator within civil engineering, groundworks or infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering construction methods, including groundworks, drainage, earthworks, utilities, concrete and rail.
• Experience preparing detailed cost estimates, tenders and competitive quotations.
• Ability to accurately complete quantity take-offs and measurements from drawings and specifications.
• Strong knowledge of labour, material, plant and subcontractor pricing.
• Experience obtaining, assessing and negotiating supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks, exclusions, assumptions and potential cost exposure.
• Ability to undertake value engineering and identify cost-effective construction solutions.
• Good understanding of tender processes, contract documentation and project specifications.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and confidence using estimating or construction software.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commercially minded, organised and proactive approach to estimating.
• Relevant qualification in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to attend site visits where required.

Position Remuneration

• Regular working hours and strong annual leave allowance plus bank holidays, for a great work-life balance.
• A collaborative working environment, as a part of a growing specialist company within the infrastructure sector.
• Full support to progress your career within the industry and the opportunity to learn from sector experts.

Whether you are looking for progression in your new role or for your forever job, we will happily welcome your application.

Equal Opportunities

Aureos are an equal opportunities employer, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

About us

Aureos is a multi-disciplinary energy and transport networks specialist engineering services provider, spanning the design, engineering, installation, maintenance, and crisis response of critical infrastructures across power, renewables, nuclear decommissioning, railways, highways and local government sectors.