At a Glance
- Tasks: Create accurate cost estimates for utility piping and structural projects.
- Company: IES Utilities Group, a leading UK utility provider focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, long-term stability, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety and quality standards.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and contribute to critical infrastructure projects in a growing division.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost estimating and knowledge of utility piping systems required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive and dependent on experience
Location: Manchester
Contract: Permanent / Contract
About IES
IES Utilities Group is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end multi discipline solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, providing survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. With a commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, IES supports clients in building and maintaining resilient, future-ready infrastructure networks across the UK.
As our Gas Division continues to grow, we are seeking a committed on-site Estimating Engineer to support long-term maintenance and construction works within the division and in the wider business.
About the Role
The Estimating Engineer plays a key role in securing fabrication and utility piping projects by delivering accurate, commercially robust, and technically compliant cost estimates. Operating within a specialist fabrication environment, the role supports tendering and project delivery by producing detailed material take-offs, labour estimates, and project cost models for utility piping systems, pipework fabrication, and structural steelwork. Working to ISO 3834-2 and ISO 1090 requirements, the Estimating Engineer ensures all proposals reflect the necessary quality, welding, fabrication, and traceability standards. The role requires close collaboration with engineering, production, procurement, quality, and client stakeholders to develop competitive and deliverable proposals aligned with workshop capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Estimating and Costing
- Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for utility piping systems, pipe spools, supports, and structural steelwork from client drawings and specifications.
- Produce comprehensive material take-offs covering pipe, fittings, flanges, valves, steel sections, plate, consumables, and coatings.
- Estimate fabrication, welding, assembly, inspection, treatment, and installation activities using standard productivity rates and historical data.
- Technical & Compliance Review
- Review tender documentation to ensure full technical and commercial compliance.
- Identify risks, exclusions, assumptions, and gaps in scope.
- Ensure estimates account for ISO 3834-2 and ISO 1090 requirements, including welding procedures, qualifications, traceability, inspection, and documentation.
- Supplier & Subcontractor Management
- Obtain, analyse, and consolidate quotations from suppliers and subcontractors.
- Assess costs for materials, specialist processes (e.g., NDT, coating, machining), transport, and outsourced fabrication.
- Evaluate commercial competitiveness and risks within the supply chain.
- Planning & Coordination
- Develop preliminary schedules and delivery programmes to support tender submissions and resource planning.
- Liaise with engineering, production, procurement, and quality teams to validate estimate assumptions.
- Engage with clients to clarify technical queries and align expectations.
- Bid Support & Handover
- Contribute to bid reviews and approval processes.
- Support smooth handover of awarded projects to delivery teams, ensuring clarity on estimating assumptions and scope.
- Continuous Improvement
- Maintain and enhance estimating databases, cost models, and productivity benchmarks.
- Capture lessons learned from completed projects to improve future estimates.
Skills & Experience
- Strong knowledge of utility piping systems, pipe fabrication, and structural steel fabrication processes.
- Proven experience in preparing detailed cost estimates and material take-offs.
- Ability to interpret isometric drawings, P&IDs, fabrication drawings, and steelwork details.
- Good understanding of welding processes, fabrication sequences, and workshop operations.
- Familiarity with ISO 3834-2, ISO 1090, and associated quality and compliance requirements.
- Strong commercial awareness, including supplier evaluation and risk assessment.
- Planning and scheduling capability, including labour forecasting and programme development.
- Proficient in Excel and estimating software/tools.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail with a practical, solution-focused approach.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary / remuneration.
- Long term and stable work.
- Opportunity to support critical infrastructure projects within an expanding Gas Division.
- Supportive team environment committed to high safety & quality standards along with a self-delivery resourcing strategy.
- Career development opportunities within a growing energy services company.
Estimating Engineer in Manchester employer: IES Utilities Group
IES Utilities Group Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive team environment and a commitment to employee growth through career progression opportunities. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, employees can take pride in contributing to essential utility networks while enjoying a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday allowance and pension plans.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimating Engineer in Manchester
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Estimating Engineer role you’re after at IES Utilities Group.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at IES Utilities Group a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at IES Utilities Group.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Estimating Engineer at IES Utilities Group, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimating Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Estimating Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at IES Utilities Group a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to IES Utilities Group specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at IES Utilities Group
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with IES Utilities Group, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like IES Utilities Group want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
