Trainee Estimator in Pontyclun

A Different Career Path for Civil Engineers

Location: Pontyclun, South Wales
Sector: Rail & Civil Engineering
Job Type: Full Time

Not every engineering career needs to stay on site.

Many successful Estimators, Bid Managers and Pre-Contracts leaders began their careers as Site Engineers and construction professionals before moving into work winning. Their practical project experience now helps shape major infrastructure schemes long before construction begins.

This role is an opportunity to use your engineering knowledge in a different way, developing commercial awareness, strategic thinking and tendering expertise whilst still playing a key role in the successful delivery of major rail and civil engineering projects.

If you're looking for a long-term career that combines technical engineering knowledge with business growth, commercial awareness and project strategy, this could be the perfect next step. You'll be supported by experienced professionals and given a clear pathway into a rewarding career in estimating, pre-contracts and bid management.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Up to 3 volunteer days
• Company contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Medicash Health Cash Plan & Rewards
• Structured support for personal and professional development, with clear career pathways and progression opportunities
• Internal development programmes dedicated to supporting future business leaders, including Purposeful Leadership, Women in Leadership and mentoring initiatives
• Ongoing training and learning opportunities
• A safe, supportive and inclusive working environment
• Employee forums to ensure your voice is heard and valued

About Us

Our South Region delivers a diverse range of rail and civil engineering projects across Wales, Western and South East business units. Working with key clients including Network Rail, Transport for Wales and other major infrastructure stakeholders, we successfully deliver projects including:

• Station enhancements and platform construction
• Bridges, footbridges and structures
• Embankments, earthworks and drainage schemes
• Tunnels, strengthening and refurbishment projects
• Electrification and plant works
• Multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure packages
• Framework and minor works programmes

Our Pre-Contracts Team plays a critical role in securing future work across CP7 frameworks and infrastructure projects, supporting the continued growth of the business.

About The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Estimator to join our CP7 Pre-Contracts Team based in Pontyclun.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for someone with an engineering background to transition into a career in estimating and work winning within the rail and civil engineering sector.

Whether you're a recent graduate, an Apprentice Site Engineer, Trainee Site Engineer, Graduate Engineer or an early-career engineer currently working on site, this position provides a unique opportunity to build upon your technical and construction knowledge whilst developing new commercial and pre-contract skills.

Working alongside experienced Bid Managers and Estimators, you'll gain hands‑on experience preparing tenders for major rail and civil engineering schemes across Wales and the wider South Region. You'll learn how projects are secured, how tender strategies are developed and how successful bids are built from both technical and commercial perspectives.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop a long‑term career within a growing work‑winning team, with structured training, mentoring and clear progression pathways towards Estimator, Senior Estimator and Bid Management roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn and develop proficiency in first-principles estimating techniques.
• Support the preparation of detailed cost estimates for rail and civil engineering tenders.
• Review drawings, specifications and tender documentation to identify scope and requirements.
• Assist with quantity take‑offs and measurement activities.
• Prepare and issue subcontractor and supplier enquiries.
• Obtain, analyse and compare quotations from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Work closely with Bid Managers, Estimators, Planners and operational teams to support tender submissions.
• Assist with tender risk reviews and pricing strategies.
• Support the preparation of pricing documents, estimating reports and tender submissions.
• Maintain organised tender records and documentation.
• Attend tender review meetings and contribute to-bid discussions.
• Assist with post‐tender reviews and project handovers.
• Develop an understanding of construction methodologies, costs and commercial principles within rail and civil engineering projects.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for ambitious individuals who are eager to develop a career within estimating, pre‑contracts and work winning.

You may already have experience working on rail or civil engineering projects and be looking for a new challenge away from site delivery, whilst remaining closely involved in major infrastructure schemes.

We would particularly welcome applications from:

• Apprentice Site Engineers
• Trainee Site Engineers
• Graduate Engineers
• Assistant Engineers
• Junior Engineers
• Individuals with construction or site-based experience looking to move into a pre‑contract environment

You’ll be someone who:

• Holds a Degree, HNC or HND in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Enjoys problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Has a strong technical understanding of construction methods and engineering principles.
• Wants to broaden their skillset into commercial, estimating and bid management activities.
• Is motivated to learn from experienced professionals.
• Can communicate effectively and work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Has good organisational skills and attention to detail.

Previous site-based experience is highly desirable, as practical construction knowledge is invaluable when developing delivery strategies, assessing risks and building robust estimates for future projects.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to begin or redirect your career within an established work‑winning team. You'll gain exposure to major infrastructure tenders, learn from experienced estimators and bid managers, and develop the skills needed to progress into Estimator, Senior Estimator and wider Pre‑Contracts leadership roles within a growing UK infrastructure business.

The Company

Why AmcoGiffen?

You will be joining a reputable and firmly established, engineering contractor operating nationally in rail, civils and engineering markets. AmcoGiffen are renowned in the market as a specialist civil, building, mechanical and electrical renewals and maintenance business with ongoing and successful projects and frameworks across the country, you will become part of our expert outfit.

AmcoGiffen has a wealth of experience working on sensitive, live assets in highly regulated environments, we deliver exceptional peace of mind for our customers, creating and maintaining assets across a growing range of high‑quality public and private sectors. These include rail, power generation, electricity distribution, flood defence, aviation, waterways and much more.

Diversity & Inclusion at AmcoGiffen

We value collective expertise, but also the spark that one person can bring. As one of us, you can be you, because your individuality is an asset to our business and the communities in which we work and represent.

We are working hard as part of the civil engineering and construction industry, to improve diversity & inclusion. Our Diversity and inclusion journey at AmcoGiffen, is constantly evolving and is designed to break down barriers and promote the principles of a diverse workforce through multiple channels. This includes delivering training, raising awareness, regular forums and sharing our engagement calendar of activities and events to encourage participation at all levels throughout our organisation.

Diversity & Inclusion is embodied throughout our SPIRIT core Business values and lies at the heart of our culture of Safety, Professionalism, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork.

AmcoGiffen is an Equal Opportunities Employer, offering challenging, worthwhile careers to everyone and is pro-actively committed to improving our understanding year on year to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees as well as for the customers and communities in which we serve and operate within. It doesn’t matter to us what your age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non-membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion or social class are, or indeed any other personal characteristics not directly related to the relevant job. Anyone who meets the requirements of the job is eligible for employment with AmcoGiffen.

Health & Wellbeing

Operating from a people first perspective we support safety and wellbeing in the workplace as a priority. We have large number of colleagues that are trained and qualified mental health first aiders to support and listen where appropriate. We enrol all of the AmcoGiffen family onto an employee assistance programme which provides 24 hour, 7 days a week counselling and advice services.