Senior Estimator

Overview

We are Rolls-Royce SMR and we're doing something that's never been done before. We're revolutionising an industry. That's a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

We are recruiting for the Senior Estimator to be involved in an industry leading, cutting edge design project for a new type of power station. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate and comprehensive cost estimates in the following fields:

• Nuclear Equipment & Heavy Components
• Conventional Island Systems
• Civil Engineering, Structural, and Architectural
• Electrical, Control, and Instrumentation Systems

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse Project Requirements: Review drawings, specifications, and project scopes to determine discipline specific requirements and associated costs.
• Data Collection: Gather and assess data from suppliers, subcontractors, and internal teams to obtain accurate pricing information.
• Cost Estimation: Prepare detailed cost estimates for their relevant fields, considering materials, labour, equipment, and overheads.
• Collaboration: Work closely with project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure cost effective solutions and value engineering opportunities.
• Reporting: Compile and present cost estimates and financial implications to management and stakeholders.
• Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends, materials, and regulations to ensure competitive and compliant estimates.
• Software Proficiency: Utilise cost estimation software and tools to prepare and manage estimates.
• Take Offs: Perform quantity take offs from drawings and specifications to support accurate cost estimation.
• Standard Methods of Measurement: Apply Standard Methods of Measurement where practicable to ensure consistency and accuracy in cost estimation.
• Project Scheduling: Demonstrate understanding of project scheduling software, such as Primavera P6, to integrate cost estimates with project timelines.

Key Results & What can be achieved in the role

• Delivery of High Integrity Product/Project Estimates
  • Achievement will be measured by the successful delivery of comprehensive, accurate, and fully auditable cost estimates for the allocated SMR scope. These estimates must be aligned with the Generic Product Development requirements and demonstrate traceability through robust Basis of Estimate (BoE) documentation.
• Adherence and Execution of Estimate Management Plans
• Success includes the alignment to the Generic Product Estimate Management Plans (EMPs) that standardise the estimating process across the programme. These EMPs ensure consistency, transparency, and compliance with internal governance and external regulatory expectations.
• Influence on Strategic Decision Making
• The Senior Estimator is expected to provide cost intelligence that directly informs strategic decisions. This includes presenting cost implications to senior stakeholders and influencing value engineering and risk mitigation strategies through data driven insights.
• Integration with Scheduling and Risk
• Achievement is demonstrated by the integration of cost estimates with project schedules (e.g. Primavera P6) and risk registers. This ensures that estimates reflect realistic delivery timelines and quantified risk exposure, supporting more accurate forecasting and contingency planning.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Success in this role includes active collaboration in cross functional estimating teams and engaging effectively with engineering, project management, supply chain and operations stakeholders. The ability to coordinate inputs and secure alignment across disciplines is a key performance indicator.
• Continuous Improvement and Benchmarking
• The role is expected to drive continuous improvement in data fidelity. Success is measured by the demonstrable uplift in estimate maturity over time.

Notes

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you. We welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Key Selection Criteria

Estimating Experience in Nuclear, Energy, Manufacturing or Civils Infrastructure

• Proven experience leading complex cost estimating for major infrastructure projects, ideally within the nuclear, oil & gas or highly regulated sectors.
• Demonstrated capability in supporting Basis of Estimate (BoE) reports and Estimate Management Plans (EMP) for their disciplinary scope including EC&I, civils, structures, and nuclear island components
• Familiarity with AACE cost estimate classifications and maturity models.

Strategic Risk and Uncertainty Management

• Basic understanding of maturity assessments, risk quantification and contingency modelling, including Monte Carlo simulations and top down/bottom up contingency approaches.
• Ability to integrate cost risk assessments with schedule and scope to inform investment decisions and programme governance.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Demonstrated active collaboration in cross functional teams, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across engineering, commercial, and programme functions.
• Skilled in presenting complex cost data and financial implications to executive audiences and external partners.

Governance, Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Knowledge of nuclear safety culture, regulatory frameworks, and corporate governance expectations for cost estimating.
• Experience in applying internal assurance processes to validate estimate integrity and compliance with Rolls Royce SMR standard.

Digital Proficiency and Data Integration

• Proficient in cost estimation software and tools, with the ability to integrate estimates with scheduling platforms such as Primavera P6.
• Familiarity with digital estimating databases and the use of historical data for benchmarking and continuous improvement.

Pay and Benefits

Salary £48,000 - £62,500 DOE plus:

• Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance - £2,200 per annum
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• £250 - One off payment for new starters for home office purchases

Company related

We are Rolls Royce SMR. Rolls Royce SMR blends the Rolls Royce brand with an exciting start up mission to deliver low carbon energy at scale. We are a strengths based organisation and offer opportunities to grow in ways not typically available in larger, traditional companies. Each Rolls Royce SMR power station will have a capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy and power a million homes, supporting renewable generation and reducing intermittency issues.

Our culture emphasizes inclusion, growth, and a safe, supportive environment. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

Application process: Due to safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to complete BPSS clearance, DBS check, and a basic financial probity check.