Lead Estimator - Piping and Structural

NRL Recruitment · Reading, Grimsby

Lead Estimator - Piping and Structural at NRL Recruitment, based in Reading, Grimsby. This is a contract role.

Salary
Competitive
Location
Reading, Grimsby
Contract
Contract
Posted
3 weeks ago
Closes
12 Aug 2026

Reference ae11863aa5c019579506366ee57ed7526e09236c

About the role

Lead Estimator - Piping and Structural
Location: Grimsby 
Overview:
Estimating Lead – Fabrication (Structural steelwork & pipework)
Seeking an experienced Estimating Lead to join the fabrication team in Grimsby on a contract basis. The successful candidate will lead a small estimating department responsible for preparing competitive and accurate estimates for structural steelwork and pipework fabrication projects, combining strong technical estimating capability with leadership, commercial awareness and close collaboration with operations and clients.
Responsibilities:Role Outline/Responsibilities:The Lead Estimator is responsible for leading the estimating function, assigning bid packages, prioritising workload and reporting progress to management.

Lead, mentor and support the estimating team to ensure consistency, accuracy and timely submission of bids.
Review tender documentation to identify commercial risks, exclusions and opportunities.
Support pricing strategy and bid adjudication with senior management.
Ensure estimates align with operational capability, execution approach and commercial objectives.
Work with subcontractors to prepare and issue RFQ packages for work not performed internally, including defining scope, providing drawings/specifications and required documentation.
Develop detailed indirect cost estimates for on-site and off-site support activities.
Complete detailed cost calculations including Indirects, direct labour, materials, rentals, subcontracts and equipment.
Determine bid response strategies including schedule approach, execution plan and subcontractor requirements.
Gather, analyse and input and compile information for negotiated work and submit required inputs to Operations.
Compile work packages upon award for shop and site works to enable efficient handover to delivery teams.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
The Estimator is responsible for developing and managing estimate plans across plating as the primary discipline, with support to piping estimates as required.
Contributing to and overseeing the detailed development of the estimates
Coordinating with other departments and/or offices as required and conducting estimate reviews with senior management.
Prepare and manage estimate/bid packages, ensuring all required documentation is included.
Prepare discipline by discipline quantity take-offs (plating/structural fabrication and installation as primary; piping materials and installation as secondary).
Attend site walkarounds with the client to fully understand the proposed scope of work.
Work with subcontracts to prepare and distribute subcontractor RFQ packages for work within project scope but not performed internally, including defining the scope of work, providing drawings, specifications and required documentation.
Develop detailed indirect estimates, both on-site and off-site support.
Support piping estimating activities as a secondary skill set, including review of isometrics, piping specifications and MTOs to build labour and material pricing.
Determine specific strategies in response to bids including scheduling, execution plan, and subcontractor requirements.
Compile work packages, upon successful award for shop and site works 
Run weekly Estimating meetings to define outstanding actions, new estimates and discuss current bids and work in partnership with fabrication workshop and projects team to discuss upcoming workload.
Reporting into the Customer Solutions Manager you will produce proposal documentation to develop a winning bid for Field Services.
Be responsible for monthly reporting for estimating

 
Qualifications:Essential Requirements: 

Experience leading or mentoring estimating personnel, including allocating packages, prioritising workload and reporting progress.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of fabrication project delivery (shop fabrication and site installation).
Ability to interpret fabrication isometrics, GA drawings and specifications and translate them into accurate cost estimates.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including supporting bid adjudications with senior management and interfacing with clients.
Detailed understanding and experience in Plating fabrication activities (primary discipline)
Excellent Microsoft Office software skills particularly in Excel and Word
Working knowledge of piping scope and estimating principles (secondary skill set), including interpreting isometrics/piping drawings, specifications and MTOs.
Experience in reading drawings and specifications and translating them into cost estimates
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and resourceful, with strong interpersonal skills
Strong time management skills and able to multi-task working on a number of bids.

 
Desirable:

Experience in computerized estimating systems
Understanding of project execution planning and critical path scheduling
Mechanical and Structural knowledge is beneficial, including piping experience where available.

 
About NRLThe NRL Group connect global companies with the right people to bring engineering projects to life. Supporting contracting companies with energy transition plans and working with our clients to create a cleaner, greener future. We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer. You can ensure you stay safe when job searching online by visiting the JobsAware website.

Reference: ae11863aa5c019579506366ee57ed7526e09236c · Posted 3 weeks ago · Closes 12 Aug 2026 · Listed via NRL Recruitment

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