Balfour Beatty plc
Senior Estimator – Piping & Mechanical
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About The Role
As we progress through a major, complex infrastructure programme, we’re looking for a highly experienced Senior Estimator to lead the estimating of piping and mechanical work packages.
This is a pivotal role within the project, providing robust, high‑quality cost estimates that underpin project planning, commercial strategy, change control, and forecasting. Reporting to the Cost Forecasting & Estimating Manager, you’ll play a key role in ensuring cost certainty and commercial confidence across the project lifecycle.
You’ll work as part of a fully integrated team alongside engineering, procurement, construction, commercial and project controls, ensuring estimates accurately reflect scope, risk, delivery strategy and site conditions.
Location: Bristol – Aztec West (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
What you'll be doing
Estimating & Cost Development
Prepare, review and validate detailed cost estimates for major piping and mechanical work packages. Develop estimates covering direct labour, materials, equipment, preliminaries, subcontracted services, indirects and allowances. Produce and maintain high‑quality Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, clearly defining scope, assumptions, methodologies, pricing sources and risk allowances.
Structure, Data & Governance
Ensure estimates are fully aligned to the project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and Control Account framework. Use historical data, productivity norms and industry benchmarks to validate estimate inputs. Lead and participate in estimate reviews, assurance activities and internal governance processes.
Commercial & Delivery Integration
Work closely with planning and construction teams to ensure labour resources, installation rates and activity durations reflect the delivery strategy. Analyse supplier and subcontractor quotations in collaboration with procurement to ensure completeness and competitiveness. Provide estimating input to commercial negotiations, contract awards and cost target setting.
Change, Risk & Forecasting
Support change control, trend analysis and re‑estimation as project scope evolves. Identify cost risks and opportunities, quantifying uncertainty and supporting contingency development. Ensure estimates feed accurately into forecasts, cash flow profiles and budget development in collaboration with Project Controls and Finance.
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Who we're looking for
Qualifications
Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline. Professional membership desirable (e.g. AACE, RICS, ICES or equivalent).
Experience & Skills
Extensive estimating experience on large, complex infrastructure or energy projects. Proven experience supporting early‑stage estimates for major programmes, including funding gates and commercial negotiations. Strong technical knowledge of piping fabrication, mechanical installation, welding, NDT and testing. Deep understanding of estimating methodologies, BOE development and WBS/CBS structures. Experience developing installation rates and applying productivity norms. Strong capability in analysing supplier and subcontractor pricing. Familiarity with EPC contracting models and alliance frameworks. High proficiency in estimating tools, databases and Excel‑based cost models. Strong commercial awareness and understanding of cost risk exposure. Confident communicator with the ability to influence across integrated project teams.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
Benefits
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow. 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata) Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
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About Us
Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick is a leader in mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (ME&I) solutions.
We design, install and maintain the complex systems and technologies that underpin the UK’s national infrastructure and bring buildings to life.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com.
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