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- Tasks: Create accurate cost estimates for piping and mechanical work on major nuclear projects.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a leader in critical infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension scheme, health support, and professional development.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of nuclear safety and security.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field; extensive estimating experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Shape the Future of One of the United Kingdom's Most Critical Nuclear Programmes. At Cavendish Nuclear we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Piping Estimator, at our Aztec West, Bristol site.
The role:
As a Senior Piping Estimator, you'll take ownership of developing high quality, defensible cost estimates for piping and mechanical work packages across a major nuclear infrastructure project. Your work will directly inform planning, commercial strategy, forecasting and governance, ensuring cost certainty and confidence at every stage of delivery.
Day-to-day, you'll be required to:
- Prepare detailed piping and mechanical cost estimates covering labour, materials, equipment, subcontracted services, preliminaries and indirects
- Develop and maintain robust Basis of Estimate documentation, clearly defining scope, assumptions and methodologies
- Validate estimates using historical data, productivity norms and industry benchmarks
- Collaborate closely with engineering, planning, procurement and construction teams to ensure accuracy and alignment
- Support change control, forecasting, commercial negotiations and estimate assurance activities
This is a full time role, working 37 hours per week, based at Aztec West, Bristol. Hybrid working patterns are available. You will work a minimum of two days a week onsite.
Essential experience:
- Extensive estimating experience within large, complex infrastructure, energy or nuclear projects
- Strong technical understanding of piping fabrication, mechanical installation, welding, inspection and testing
- Proven experience developing estimates from early development stages through to project delivery
- Sound knowledge of estimating methodologies, work breakdown structures and cost breakdown structures
- Experience reviewing supplier and subcontractor pricing to support commercial decisions
Qualifications:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
- Professional membership or certification would be advantageous (for example AACE, RICS, ICES or equivalent)
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- 'Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Closing date: 04/05/2026
Senior Piping Estimator employer: Babcock International
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Piping Estimator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the role. Understand their projects and values, especially in the nuclear sector. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experience and skills, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Piping Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Piping Estimator role. Highlight your extensive estimating experience and technical understanding of piping fabrication. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for what we do at Cavendish Nuclear.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on large, complex infrastructure projects. We’re particularly interested in your ability to develop estimates from early stages through to delivery, so make that clear in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Cavendish Nuclear!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Piping Estimator, you'll need to be comfortable with numbers and cost estimates. Brush up on your estimating methodologies and be ready to discuss how you've developed estimates in past projects. Bring examples of your work that showcase your ability to create detailed and defensible cost estimates.
✨Understand the Project Scope
Familiarise yourself with the specifics of the nuclear infrastructure project you'll be working on. Understand the key components of piping fabrication and mechanical installation. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your technical understanding during the interview.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Collaboration is key in this role. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with engineering, planning, and procurement teams in the past. Share specific examples of how your collaboration led to successful project outcomes, as this will show your potential employer that you're a team player.
✨Prepare for Change Control Questions
Change control is a significant part of the estimating process. Think about times when you've had to support change control or commercial negotiations. Be ready to explain your approach and how you ensured accuracy and alignment throughout the process, as this will highlight your experience and strategic thinking.