Senior Estimator in Brisbane

ESE Aus Group is a family-owned Australian business specialising in steel fabrication and framing, with operations in Rocklea (QLD), Kwinana (WA) and Edinburgh (SA).

At Eastern States Engineering, we are committed to delivering high-quality steel solutions for modular, residential and commercial construction projects. Backed by over 30 years of industry experience, we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, innovation and exceptional customer service.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Production Estimator with Tekla experience to join our team at our Rocklea facility in Brisbane.

About the Role

The Senior Estimator leads the estimating function for structural steel and modular building projects, with responsibility for the accurate, timely and commercially sound preparation of tenders, quotations and estimates.

This is a hands‑on leadership role, requiring direct involvement in the preparation, coordination and management of major, complex and high-value project estimates. The position takes ownership of significant tenders from initial enquiry and tender review through to pricing, submission, negotiation and project handover.

The role is accountable for estimate quality, commercial accuracy, tender risk, margin protection and the effective coordination of estimating resources. It provides technical and commercial leadership to the estimating team while working closely with Sales, Engineering, Drafting, Production, Procurement, Finance, Project Management, suppliers and branch teams to achieve profitable outcomes and successful project delivery.

The Senior Estimator is expected to lead by example, combining strong estimating expertise with practical industry knowledge, commercial judgement and the ability to drive major project opportunities through to completion.

Key Responsibilities

1. Major Project Estimating and Management

• Lead and manage the estimating process for major, complex and high-value structural steel and modular building projects.

• Coordinate all aspects of major tenders, including scope reviews, quantity take-offs, material requirements, fabrication, manufacturing, transport, installation and associated project costs.

• Review tender documentation, identify gaps, inconsistencies and commercial risks, and ensure appropriate allowances and qualifications are included.

• Manage tender milestones, resources, deliverables and submission deadlines.

• Maintain ownership of major opportunities from initial enquiry through to tender submission, negotiation and project handover.

2. Estimating Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end preparation and submission of tenders and quotations across the business.

• Allocate estimating workloads, establish priorities and ensure resources are effectively utilised.

• Provide hands‑on estimating support for major projects and assist the team with complex or technically challenging estimates.

• Establish consistent estimating standards, methodologies and commercial practices across branches.

3. Technical Review and Quality Assurance

• Interpret and review structural engineering drawings, architectural drawings, fabrication drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and tender documentation.

• Review steel quantities, sizes, connection requirements, finishes, coatings, fabrication details and material specifications.

• Review scopes of work, quantity take-offs, bills of materials, inclusions, exclusions and tender clarifications for accuracy and completeness.

4. Commercial Management and Risk

• Develop and manage competitive pricing strategies that achieve required margins and commercial returns.

• Evaluate material costs, labour allowances, fabrication hours, subcontractor costs, freight, cranage, installation and project-specific expenses.

• Lead supplier and subcontractor engagement to obtain competitive and accurate pricing.

• Identify commercial, technical, contractual and delivery risks and ensure appropriate contingencies and qualifications are incorporated.

• Review contractual conditions, payment terms, liquidated damages, variations and other commercial exposures.

• Provide commercial recommendations and escalation of significant risks to senior management.

5. Team Leadership and Development

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and technical guidance to estimators.

• Review and challenge estimates prepared by team members to ensure accuracy, consistency and commercial integrity.

• Develop the capability and confidence of junior estimators through mentoring and practical involvement.

• Set clear expectations around quality, productivity, accountability and tender turnaround times.

• Foster a collaborative, professional and results‑driven estimating team.

6. Workload and Resource Management

• Plan, coordinate and monitor estimating workloads across branches and business units.

• Balance major project requirements with day‑to‑day tender and quotation demands.

• Identify resource constraints, competing priorities and potential delivery delays, escalating issues where necessary.

• Ensure estimating resources are appropriately allocated to opportunities based on value, complexity, strategic importance and probability of success.

7. Stakeholder and Customer Engagement

• Work closely with Sales, Engineering, Drafting, Production, Procurement, Finance and Project Management to develop accurate and achievable estimates.

• Engage directly with customers clarify project requirements and resolve technical or commercial queries.

• Coordinate supplier and subcontractor pricing and maintain strong commercial relationships.

• Provide estimating and commercial support during tender negotiations and project award discussions.

8. Project Handover and Operational Support

• Lead structured handovers of awarded projects to Project Management, Engineering and Production teams.

• Ensure approved scope, specifications, quantities, pricing assumptions, material requirements, exclusions, risks and customer commitments are clearly documented.

• Support project budget establishment, cost tracking, procurement planning and variation assessments.

• Assist with identifying opportunities to improve project margins, manufacturing efficiencies and delivery outcomes.

• Provide ongoing estimating support where scope changes, variations or additional works arise.

9. Systems, Processes and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and improve estimating systems, databases, pricing schedules, labour rates and supplier cost information.

• Promote consistent estimating practices, templates and controls across all branches.

• Identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy, efficiency and commercial performance.

10. Performance Reporting

• Monitor tender pipeline, estimating workloads, submission performance and tender outcomes.

• Review estimate accuracy, project margins, conversion rates and commercial performance.

• Identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Provide regular reporting and recommendations to the management.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Engineering, Fabrication, Construction or a related discipline, or relevant industry experience.

• Engineering, Construction Management or Quantity Surveying qualifications would be advantageous.

• Strong ability to interpret structural engineering drawings, architectural drawings, specifications, fabrication details and contractual documentation.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and estimating software.

• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Tekla or other structural detailing and modelling software would be advantageous.

• Understanding of relevant Australian Standards, National Construction Code (NCC) requirements and applicable building regulations.

• Knowledge of structural steel fabrication, welding, coatings and construction methodologies.

• Understanding of modular building construction, manufacturing and assembly processes would be highly regarded.

Experience

• Minimum five years' relevant experience in structural steel estimating, fabrication, construction or modular building.

• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing complex, high-value structural steel or modular building estimates.

• Proven experience leading major tender submissions, including material take-offs, labour costing, fabrication, procurement, freight and installation allowances.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating estimating workloads and reviewing the work of other estimators.

• Experience working with Production, Engineering, Drafting and Project Management teams to ensure estimates translate into achievable project budgets and delivery outcomes.

• Experience using project management and estimating systems.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong structural steel and modular building industry knowledge, including fabrication, manufacturing and construction processes.

• Demonstrated ability to lead major project estimates while maintaining hands‑on involvement in the detail.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including cost control, margin protection and tender risk assessment.

• High‑level understanding of material quantities, fabrication hours, labour productivity and project costing.

• Ability to review and challenge technical documentation, scopes, assumptions and estimates with a high level of accuracy.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple complex tenders and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

• Strong problem‑solving, analytical and decision‑making skills.

• A proactive, accountable and commercially focused approach to delivering results.

Why Join ESE?

• Join a growing Australian-owned business with over 30 years of industry experience.

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Stable, full‑time employment.

• Ongoing training and professional development.

• Supportive and collaborative team environment.

• Opportunity to work on a diverse range of manufacturing and construction projects.

• Career development opportunities within a growing national business.

ESE Aus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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