
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Estimator, Balaena Birkenhead
This is a great opportunity to join our commercial and technical team, supporting a diverse portfolio of dry-docking, repair, refit, and conversion projects. It’s a key role in securing and delivering major marine projects. Could it be you?
Who are we?
With a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups - combining industrial agility, innovation, and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness, and sustainability across both naval and merchant ship sectors.
The integration of our modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCL’s infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth created one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups - with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean. We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.
So what will you do?
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for ship repair, dry-docking, refit, and conversion projects
- Compile and maintain project pricing information and tender documentation
- Review technical specifications, drawings, and work scopes to produce accurate quotations
- Evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations
- Conduct onboard vessel surveys to assess proposed work scopes
- Work with customers, project teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders throughout the tender process to ensure success
- Support the technical teams to ensure all tenders are delivered on time
- Take part in project and progress meetings and help with commercial contract management activities when needed
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
So what are we looking for?
- Background in marine engineering, ship repair, shipbuilding, or heavy engineering with commercial awareness including an understanding of costs, margins, and mark-up principles
- Ability to prepare detailed project estimates through your understanding of yard operations, marine trades, and interpreting technical drawings & specifications
- Experience evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills to deliver to demanding deadlines
- High attention to detail and accuracy
Why join us?
- Personal Growth: This is an opportunity to make a significant impact while working with and learning from a team of experts. The chance to be part of a team making a real impact on the future of Balaena
- Financial Security: With important benefits like your Pension
- Work-life Balance: We offer 25 days of annual leave per year plus Bank Holidays. Maternity, Paternity, and Parental leave support you during those significant life changes, helping you to balance your family responsibilities with work


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
We are big enough to cope, small enough to care, whilst we have significant capacity to take on large and complex projects across our five shipyards, we are a family-owned business with a genuine passion for the maritime industry and the people who make it what it is.
Due to the nature of what we do for some of the customers that we work with, some roles are subject to security control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform with us. You must also undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check before your employment starts, which will include a basic DBS check.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills