Senior Estimating Engineer

Derby, England, United Kingdom

1/15/2025

About the role

Due to an increase in Overhead Line (OHL) workload and a strong future pipeline, Balfour Beatty has an urgent requirement for a Senior Estimator to join our Power Transmission & Distribution team. This UK-based role is ideal for candidates within commuting distance of our Middlesbrough, Derby, or Glasgow offices.

The role will focus on estimating projects for Overhead Lines up to 400kV, working with key clients such as National Grid and SSE.

As the market leader in delivering Overhead Line projects, Balfour Beatty is entering a period of unprecedented growth. This critical role will ensure we produce robust and competitive pricing submissions for some of the largest upgrades to the UK Grid in history.

We take pride in our Overhead Line capabilities, and this position places you at the forefront of maintaining our market leadership. In return, the role offers excellent career prospects, as you contribute to helping the UK achieve its Net Zero ambitions.

What you'll be doing

• Work closely with engineering, planning, finance, commercial, resourcing, and other enabling functions.
• Identify and implement improvements to estimating processes and systems.
• Promote and adhere to Balfour Beatty’s Code of Conduct to ensure safe, compliant, and consistent practices across the business.
• Foster collaboration and actively contribute to cross-functional teamwork.
• Prepare estimating documentation for Gate Reviews, including:
  • Tender Summary
  • 3-Point Estimate
  • Cashflow Projections
• Participate in Gate Review meetings (Gates 1 to 5).
• Analyze client ITT documents and Conditions of Contract.
• Perform quantity take-offs and produce Bills of Quantities (BOQ).
• Review operational and material schedules (e.g., scaffolding, access).
• Identify subcontractor requirements and manage procurement inquiries.
• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Develop detailed estimates using Candy software, including:
  • Cost/pricing code allocation
  • Aligning estimates with client pricing/activity schedules
• Prepare estimate clarifications, assumptions logs, and benchmarking analyses.
• Produce cost transparency data and written submissions as required.

Client Engagement

• Attend pre-tender meetings and site visits.
• Respond to post-tender clarification logs and participate in clarification meetings.
• Represent the company in client presentations, negotiation meetings, and pipeline discussions.

Group Activities

• Attend monthly Group Estimating Community of Practice meetings.
• Collaborate with Senior Estimating colleagues across other Balfour Beatty Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Who we're looking for

• We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator with a strong background in Overhead Line (OHL) projects, particularly up to 400kV. The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes and skills:
• Extensive experience in reviewing client ITT documents, Conditions of Contract, and operational schedules.
• Proficiency in quantity take-offs, BOQ production, and detailed estimating processes.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, including issuing inquiries and evaluating supplier/subcontractor quotations.
• Hands-on experience with Candy estimating software and client pricing/activity schedule alignment
• Proven ability to perform cost benchmarking and risk/opportunity analysis.
• Excellent attention to detail when preparing tender summaries, cashflows, and cost transparency data.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver amazing projects in challenging conditions; developing, managing and maintaining the vital infrastructure and public spaces that modern economies, societies and communities rely on.

About us

Our skilled and dedicated teams deliver a range of proactive and reactive services which support a reliable and safe supply of power flowing to millions of homes and businesses around the world. Our contracts range from 50,000 schemes to 100 million plus major projects.

Balfour Beattys Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions. With experience and expertise across the full spectrum of the electricity grid our teams have capability across overhead lines, cable tunnels, distribution networks and substations. From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support clients in the development of some of the worlds most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

At Balfour Beatty we are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential, not only because this is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a better business. To ensure we deliver on this commitment, we have a UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the wide range of targeted, proactive, measurable steps we are taking to make this a reality. You can read our UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan in full on the Balfour Beatty website. 

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and Women into Construction. 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.

Further information on Disability Confident can be found on the Balfour Beatty website.