At a Glance
- Tasks: Create accurate cost estimates for piping and mechanical work in a major nuclear project.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a leader in energy security and national protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive, inclusive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in estimating for large projects and a degree in Engineering or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Aztec West, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangement
Compensation: Attractive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
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 responsibilities:
- 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.
About Cavendish:
We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we’re shaping a future that lasts — not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance.
Join us:
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date 04/05/2026
Senior Piping Estimator employer: Cavendish Nuclear
Contact Detail:
Cavendish Nuclear 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 industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Senior Piping Estimator role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cavendish Nuclear and their projects. We want to see your passion for the nuclear sector and how your skills align with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your estimation skills! Brush up on your methodologies and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail. We need to see that you can handle the complexities of large infrastructure projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
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 working on critical nuclear programmes and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team 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!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cavendish Nuclear
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Piping Estimator, you'll need to be on top of your game with cost estimates. Brush up on your knowledge of 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 and mechanical work packages. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role 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 closely with engineering, planning, procurement, and construction teams in the past. Share specific examples of how your collaborative efforts led to successful project outcomes and accurate estimates.
✨Showcase Your Continuous Learning
Cavendish Nuclear values professional development, so highlight any relevant certifications or memberships you hold, like AACE or RICS. Talk about how you stay updated with industry trends and best practices in estimating, as this shows your commitment to growth and excellence in your field.