At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage mechanical tenders and produce competitive estimates for exciting new-build projects.
- Company: Join a growing, family-run mechanical contractor with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and 27 days holiday.
- Other info: Excellent career development opportunities in a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on substantial projects while collaborating with senior management.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years of mechanical estimating experience and strong commercial awareness.
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
Salary: £55,000 - £80,000 DOE + Annual Bonus
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Are you an experienced Mechanical Estimator looking for a senior position with a growing mechanical contractor? We are currently recruiting for a Senior Mechanical Estimator to join an established and expanding mechanical building services contractor based near Thame, Oxfordshire. This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful, family-run business with a strong forward workload and ambitious growth plans. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with senior management and play a key role in securing a range of exciting new-build mechanical projects.
The Role
As Senior Mechanical Estimator, you will take responsibility for managing mechanical tenders from initial enquiry through to submission and handover. You will produce accurate and commercially competitive estimates for mechanical packages typically valued between £500,000 and £3 million, working across a variety of sectors including residential, care, commercial and education. The successful Mechanical Estimator will be responsible for assessing project requirements, completing detailed take-offs, obtaining supplier and subcontractor quotations and developing competitive tender submissions.
Mechanical Services
Projects can include a broad range of mechanical building services, including:
- Plumbing and heating
- Ventilation
- Air conditioning
- Sprinkler systems
- Dry risers
- Renewable technologies
- BMS and mechanical controls
Key Responsibilities
- Review drawings, specifications, tender documentation and employer's requirements.
- Prepare detailed estimates for design-and-build mechanical packages.
- Complete accurate material and labour take-offs.
- Obtain, analyse and negotiate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Build competitive tender prices covering labour, materials, plant and specialist packages.
- Identify commercial risks, qualifications, exclusions and opportunities.
- Develop value-engineering solutions where appropriate.
- Liaise with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors throughout the tender process.
- Attend tender meetings, site visits and clarification meetings where required.
- Prepare professional tender submissions and supporting documentation.
- Work closely with directors and the wider estimating team.
- Provide a clear and detailed handover to the commercial and project delivery teams following successful tenders.
- Maintain accurate estimating records, pricing information and supplier relationships.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Estimator with a strong background in mechanical building services and new-build construction. Ideally, you will have:
- Around 5-8 years' experience in mechanical estimating.
- Experience working for a mechanical contractor or building services contractor.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical building services.
- Experience estimating design-and-build mechanical packages.
- The ability to confidently interpret drawings, specifications and technical tender information.
- A strong understanding of labour, material, plant and subcontractor costs.
- Excellent commercial awareness and attention to detail.
- The ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- A practical, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
- Experience using Trimble estimating software would be advantageous.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and standard office software.
- Experience estimating projects within housing, apartment developments, care homes, commercial buildings or education would be particularly beneficial.
What's on Offer?
- £55,000 - £80,000 salary, depending on experience.
- Annual bonus scheme.
- 27 days' annual holiday.
- Company pension.
- Hybrid-working flexibility.
- Monday-Friday working hours, 8:00am-5:00pm.
- A strong pipeline of substantial new-build mechanical projects.
- The opportunity to work closely with company directors.
- Involvement in key commercial and tendering decisions.
- Supportive and collaborative estimating team.
- Regular company events.
- Long-term stability within an established and growing contractor.
- Excellent opportunity for career development and progression.
The Opportunity
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Estimator to take the next step in their career and join a business that combines the stability of an established contractor with the culture and accessibility of a family-run organisation. With a substantial forward workload and ambitious plans for continued growth, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the company's future.
Senior Mechanical Estimator employer: Options Resourcing Ltd
Options Resourcing Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a focus on water hygiene and treatment, employees benefit from a full-time, permanent role with competitive salary packages and the opportunity to work across vibrant areas like South London and Kent, all while enjoying the convenience of a company van.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Estimator
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Options Resourcing Ltd.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Options Resourcing Ltd love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Options Resourcing Ltd and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Options Resourcing Ltd and the Senior Mechanical Estimator role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Options Resourcing Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Options Resourcing Ltd.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Options Resourcing Ltd.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Options Resourcing Ltd, making you a more appealing candidate.
