Lead Project Cost Engineer Job at Workington Full Time NEW

Senior EstimatorLeading International Engineering Contractor | Nuclear Infrastructure | Workington-based | Staff Role | Competitive Salary The OpportunityWe’re recruiting a Senior Estimator to prepare detailed and accurate pricing for major tenders and support clients with pricing on early contractor involvement projects. You’ll be responsible for comprehensive cost estimation across labour, plant, materials, subcontracts and preliminaries, working closely with bid managers, planners, procurement and technical teams to deliver competitive, robust pricing submissions.Position Details: Permanent Staff Role | Competitive salary | Based in Workington | Full-time office based with 1 day per week remote working post-probation | SC clearance required (ability to obtain) | Reports to Head of Bid ManagementThis is a senior technical role for an experienced estimator with nuclear industry background. You’ll manage pricing strategy, develop cost estimates, lead supplier and subcontractor negotiations, and ensure all bids are competitively priced and compliant with client requirements. You’ll manage assistant estimators and collaborate across bid management, planning, procurement and operations teams.What You’ll Be DoingEstimate Preparation & Pricing StrategyPrepare detailed and accurate pricing for major tendersDevelop cost-effective design options and price alternativesEnsure company governance procedures and competitive pricing methodologies are followedAgree estimation methodologies and outputs with planners, bid managers and design teamsProvide cost advice to bid and design managers on value engineering opportunitiesLabour CostingDevelop local and build-up rates for self-delivered labourEnsure compliance with Working Rule Agreements and client-specific requirements Prepare scheme-specific labour rate calculationsCoordinate staffing levels and labour programme with operations teamsManage shift patterns and overtime rates in compliance with Working Time DirectivePlant & EquipmentDevelop local and build-up rates for plant and equipmentLiaise with planners to reconcile plant resource levelsEnsure plant requirements are appropriately costed and resourcedMaterials & ProcurementPrepare material comparison sheets considering unit rates, wastage, waiting times and part loadsLiaise with procurement to identify and select appropriate suppliersReview supplier quotations for sufficiency and complianceAgree material supplier selections with procurement and bid teamManage material cost management and supplier negotiationsSubcontract ManagementLiaise with procurement and bid team to identify and select subcontractorsReview subcontractor quotations for sufficiency and compliancePrepare subcontractor comparison sheets with rate adjustments/deletionsAgree subcontractor selections with procurement and bid managerManage subcontract cost negotiations and inclusions/exclusionsPreliminaries & Temporary WorksCoordinate with planners and temporary works coordinators on extent and cost of temporary worksAgree temporary works costs and methodologyLiaise with planners to determine preliminary duration and overall project timescalesEnsure all client requirements are included (CCS, CEEQUAL, etc.)Risk & Value ManagementInput into tender risk and opportunity registers with bid manager and risk teamIdentify and quantify cost risks and opportunitiesContribute to value engineering and cost optimisation discussionsTender Submission & SettlementPrepare top-sheet tender summaries and supporting cost build-up sheetsPresent pricing build-up at pre-settlement and settlement meetingsPrepare adjustment sheets reflecting settlement decisionsPrepare final pricing documentation ensuring positive cash flow throughout project lifecycleCoordinate contract data and form of tender documentation with bid managerAddress post-tender clarifications and amendments from clientsPost-Tender ActivitiesPrepare handover pricing documentation for project managers and commercial managersAttend handover meetings with bid managers on successful bidsCoordinate bid reviews and feedback analysis on unsuccessful tendersAbout YouEssential Qualifications & ExperienceDegree in quantity surveying, construction management or related discipline – or equivalent professional qualificationMUST HAVE: Nuclear industry experience – demonstrated background estimating on nuclear or similar regulated infrastructure projectsMinimum 8-10 years’ estimating experience on major infrastructure tendersProven track record on competitive tenders for Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractorsExpert-level knowledge of:Labour cost build-ups and compliance (WRA, London Living Wage, etc.)Plant and equipment costingMaterial procurement and supplier managementSubcontract assessment and cost managementTemporary works and preliminaries pricingRisk identification and quantificationStrong understanding of:Tender procedures and client requirementsCommercial and contractual mattersWorking Time Directive and labour complianceCost control and value engineering principlesProficiency in estimating software – Comapny systems, Excel and cost management toolsExcellent communication skills – confident presenting pricing at settlement meetings and liaising with multiple stakeholdersCollaborative approach – comfortable working across bid teams, procurement, planning and operationsAttention to detail – accuracy essential in cost build-ups and tender documentationStrategic thinking – ability to develop competitive, risk-aware pricing strategiesDesirableChartered Surveyor (RICS) or equivalent professional qualificationExperience managing assistant estimators or junior team membersFamiliarity with collaborative working on early contractor involvement projectsExperience on large, complex nuclear or infrastructure projectsKnowledge of client value frameworks (CCS, CEEQUAL, etc.)Experience with 4D scheduling and time-related cost managementValue engineering and cost optimisation expertiseSecurity ClearanceYou must be able to obtain SC (Security Clearance) to work on nuclear infrastructure projects. BPSS is the minimum starting point.The Role in PracticeYou’ll be based in Workington, working as part of the bid management team. You’ll report to the Head of Bid Management and manage assistant estimators, collaborating closely with bid managers, planners, procurement teams and operations leads.This is hands-on estimating work on strategically important nuclear infrastructure tenders. You’ll be producing detailed cost estimates, managing supplier and subcontractor negotiations, presenting pricing at settlement meetings, and ensuring bids are competitive and compliant. Your estimating expertise, attention to detail and ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions directly impact bid success and project profitability.Why This RoleYou’ll be working for a leading international engineering contractor on major nuclear infrastructure programmes. This is professional estimating work where your expertise in cost analysis, supplier management and value engineering is genuinely valued. You’ll be working with experienced bid teams on strategically important, complex tenders where technical accuracy and commercial thinking matter.The role offers a competitive permanent salary, career development on significant UK nuclear projects, and the opportunity to influence how major infrastructure programmes are costed and delivered.