Chief Estimator - Combat Systems in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth/Filton/Frimley/New Malden. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £72,000 depending on skills and experience.

What you’ll be doing:

• Define, shape and direct the pricing strategy for Combat Systems.
• Ensure that BAE Systems Governance is applied across the business including leading audits and making recommendations to the senior leadership team.
• Provide leadership, advice and guidance for all aspects of pricing and costs within the Combat Systems business.
• Lead the upskilling of estimating, commercial and project controls with respect to End to End Pricing, competitive pricing techniques and interrogation and analysis of costs.
• Ensure all toolsets utilised in the estimating field are fit for purpose, and people are trained appropriately, identifying potential new toolsets to provide business advantage.
• Lead the pricing within the estimating team for bids that are strategically important or have a value of £20M upwards. Ensure that Project controls are actively engaged and deliver within governance all pricing below that threshold.
• Liaise with other functions to ensure integrity and competitiveness of estimating process.
• Provide leadership and guidance with respect to supplier pricing, from defining pricing requirements through to being able to determine value for money and support/lead negotiations as required.

Your skills and experiences:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to interpret and present complex commercial and pricing models in a clear unambiguous manner.
• Excellent Commercial and estimating acumen and the ability to lead negotiations.
• Knowledge of both design and delivery aspects of the business, preferably with a good understanding of software development and delivery.
• Ability to define innovative pricing models and estimating techniques to support business growth.

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Combat Systems team:

We design, develop, integrate and provide through-life support to naval combat systems that enable navies to protect nations. Vital information from ship sensors such as radar and sonar, are captured through our core product, the Combat Management System. This advanced technological capability allows ships crews to rapidly respond to potentially life‑threatening situations. As a trusted partner of choice for the Royal Navy, delivering intelligent capability, our Combat Systems are empowering navies around the world. We have a portfolio of 80+ programmes built on a foundation of product capabilities, technologies and skills.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 13th February 2026 - Interviews will take place w/c 23rd February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.