Job Description
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Civil Estimator | PE / SPE Transition from project delivery
Use your delivery experience at the front end of major civil projects
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$185K–$200K base + super + vehicle allowance
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Ideal for a strong PE, SPE or delivery-focused PM
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Genuine pathway from site delivery into estimating / pre-contracts
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QLD / NSW civil infrastructure projects
You know how civil projects are actually built.
You understand staging, sequencing, productivity, subcontractors, risk, programme pressure, methodology and the commercial realities that sit behind delivery.
But maybe you are now thinking about the next stage of your career.
This role is designed for a strong Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer or delivery-focused Project Manager who wants to step away from the constant pressure of site delivery and move into estimating, pre-contracts and bid strategy — without losing connection to real construction.
You do not need to be a career estimator.
You need to bring practical civil construction knowledge, strong commercial awareness and the ability to think through how a project will actually be delivered.
The opportunity
You will join an established pre-contracts team with an award-winning Queensland civil contractor and be supported to develop into estimating.
Your delivery background will be used immediately across tender methodology, staging, constructability, productivity assumptions, subcontractor input, risk identification and bid strategy.
This is a role where your site experience becomes your advantage.
What you will be involved in
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Supporting first-principles tender estimates
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Reviewing drawings, specs and scope for risks and opportunities
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Providing practical input around methodology, staging and sequencing
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Helping assess productivity, resources, access constraints and programme logic
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Engaging with subcontractors and suppliers
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Supporting tender reviews and commercial decision-making
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Learning estimating systems and pre-contracts processes with strong mentorship
Who this will suit
This will suit someone who has built credibility in delivery and now wants a more strategic career path.
You may be a PE, SPE or PM who still enjoys construction, but wants to influence projects earlier — before the job is won, before the risks are locked in, and before poor assumptions become site problems.
Experience across TMR / Main Roads, transport infrastructure, roadworks, bulk earthworks, drainage, pavements, structures, subdivisions, utilities or major urban civil works will be highly regarded.
Estimating exposure would help, but it is not essential.
What matters most is your ability to think like a builder, understand risk, read scope, challenge assumptions and contribute to smarter tender outcomes.
Why make the move?
This is not about starting again.
It is about using your delivery experience in a more strategic way.
You will stay close to major civil infrastructure, but your impact will move from reacting to problems on site to helping shape better-planned, more competitive and more buildable projects from the start.
For the right person, this is a genuine pathway into estimating, pre-contracts and future commercial leadership.
Apply today at jobs@empowermanagement.com.au.
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- A reputation people stay for: Trust-led culture with genuine pride in delivery
- Real career transition: Move from site delivery into estimating with mentorship from experienced commercial, engineering, and pre-contracts leaders
- Landmark QLD infrastructure: Typically $30M–$400M across transport, mining infrastructure, and major urban civil works
- Use your delivery brain: Bring practical site knowledge into tender strategy, methodology, sequencing, staging, and risk assessment
- Empowered environment: Your judgement is valued — no micromanagement
- Supportive team: Mentorship-driven, collaborative, and focused on winning quality work
The role
As the Civil Estimator, you’ll work closely with the Lead Estimator and an established pre-contracts team to help secure medium-to-major civil infrastructure projects across Queensland.
You don’t need to be the finished article as an estimator. What matters is that you bring strong site-based engineering experience, commercial awareness, and a practical understanding of how projects are delivered.
You’ll be supported to build your estimating capability while contributing immediately through your knowledge of construction methodology, sequencing, staging, procurement, risk, productivity, and delivery constraints.
What you’ll be doing
- Support the preparation of first-principles tender estimates with strong cost detail and commercial accuracy
- Develop construction methodologies to support tender submissions and delivery planning
- Provide technical input on constructability, staging, temporary works, traffic management, sequencing, and program logic
- Engage with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain pricing, clarify scope, and improve tender competitiveness
- Assist with procurement planning for materials, subcontractors, plant, and key project resources
- Identify, quantify, and document project risks and opportunities based on real delivery experience
- Contribute to tender review gates, including interim reviews, final reviews, and tender presentations
- Support bid strategy by bringing a practical delivery lens to methodology, risk, productivity, and commercial positioning
- Contribute to pre- and post-tender reviews, lessons learned, and ongoing estimating improvements
What we’re looking for
Experience & background
- Experienced Senior Project Engineer from a civil contracting background
- Strong site-based delivery experience across public infrastructure or major civil works
- Exposure to TMR / Main Roads projects is highly regarded
- Practical understanding of how infrastructure is built, including sequencing, staging, constraints, productivity, subcontractor management, and risk
- Strong exposure to roadworks, bulk earthworks, drainage, pavements, bridges, structures, subdivisions, or water infrastructure
- Previous estimating, tendering, cost planning, or methodology input would be highly regarded but is not essential
Technical capability
- Strong construction knowledge across civil infrastructure scopes, including road construction, bulk earthworks, drainage, services, pavements, concrete works, bridges, structures, and urban civil works
- Ability to read drawings, interpret specifications, assess scope, and identify construction risks
- Good understanding of construction methodology, program sequencing, productivity, and resource planning
- Exposure to first-principles estimating or tender build-ups would be advantageous
- Experience using, or willingness to learn, Expert Estimation Genesis
Stakeholder & commercial strengths
- Confident communicator able to work with estimators, engineers, project teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and senior leaders
- Commercially aware, with the ability to balance risk, opportunity, buildability, and competitiveness
- Strong attention to detail and ability to think through scope gaps, delivery constraints, and practical tender risks
- Genuine interest in moving into estimating, pre-contracts, and bid strategy long-term
Who will this suit
This role will suit a PE/SPE who has delivered transport infrastructure projects and now wants to apply that knowledge at the front end.
You may be ready to step away from the constant pressure of site delivery, but still want to stay close to construction, methodology, strategy, and major project work.
If you enjoy solving problems before they hit site, challenging assumptions, building smart methodologies, and helping win the right work, this could be a strong next move.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact ryan@empowermanagement.com.au | 0478 539 455