Job title: Senior/Lead Civil Estimator
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: Civil Engineering
Functional Expertise: Engineering
Salary type: Annual
Salary: negotiable
Location: Brisbane City, QLD
Job ID: 34153

Job Description

Senior/Lead Civil Estimator | Brisbane role

Shape the Next Generation of Civil Infrastructure Projects
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Discipline: Civil Infrastructure | Roads/Highways | Rail | Mining | Bulk Earthworks

Package offered: $270-300K base + super + vehicle allowance

Lead the Front End of Major Infrastructure Delivery

Now is the perfect time to position yourself with one of Queensland’s leading award-winning civil contractors — a business known for delivering complex, high-value infrastructure and investing in the people who make it happen.

We’re seeking an accomplished Senior/Lead Civil Estimator to lead major tender pursuits across the civil, mining, and transport infrastructure sectors. This role suits an estimator who wants ownership of high-impact bids, influence across pre-contract strategy, and a genuine opportunity to step into a Lead Estimator/Chief Civil Estimator capacity as the business continues to grow.

About the Role

Reporting to the Pre-Contracts Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in estimating delivery across a portfolio of projects typically ranging from $30M to $150M+.

This is a senior front-end role focused on first-principles estimating, competitive positioning, stakeholder alignment, and supporting the development of estimating capability across the team.

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Developing detailed, accurate first-principles cost estimates for complex civil projects.
  • Driving the tendering process from concept through submission, ensuring compliance and competitiveness.
  • Identifying and evaluating risks, opportunities, and commercial advantages in every bid.
  • Supporting and mentoring estimators, helping build consistency, capability, and best practice.
  • Engaging with clients, designers, and internal stakeholders to align technical, financial, and strategic objectives.
  • Contributing confidently to tender reviews, presentations, and pre-contract discussions.

Key Projects

You’ll contribute to a diverse portfolio including:

  • Mining infrastructure and bulk earthworks
  • Roads / Highways and rail projects for TMR, ARTC, and local councils
  • Structural and concrete works across major civil programs

About You

You’re an experienced senior civil estimator who thrives on technical challenge and commercial strategy. You bring strong estimating fundamentals, a sharp eye for detail, and the maturity to influence outcomes in high-pressure tender environments.

You’ll have:

  • 10–15+ years civil estimating experience, ideally across transport, mining, and infrastructure.
  • Proven capability in first-principles estimating and cost modelling.
  • Strong Expert Estimator experience (or similar software such as Candy, Benchmark, or CCS).
  • Background with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractor, with a track record of competitive tendering.
  • Strong networks across subcontractor and supplier markets in QLD and NSW.
  • Excellent communication skills and confidence, contributing to internal review forums.
  • A degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Quantity Surveying is preferred.
  • Prior site-based experience as an engineer or project manager (advantageous but not essential).

What Sets You Apart

  • Detail with Commercial Insight: You deliver accurate estimates while understanding what makes bids competitive.
  • Influence & Collaboration: You work effectively across ops, engineering, planning and commercial teams to shape winning submissions.
  • Leadership Potential: You naturally guide and support others and are ready to step into broader leadership when the opportunity presents.
  • Composure Under Pressure: You stay calm, structured, and decisive during high-stakes tenders and tight deadlines.

Why Apply

Join a contractor that’s growing rapidly and investing in its future. You’ll enjoy:

  • Real influence across tender strategy and outcomes.
  • A collaborative, well-supported pre-contracts environment with established systems and people.
  • Attractive remuneration, genuine career progression, and exposure to iconic QLD projects.

This business values innovation, integrity, and inclusion — and recognises that great projects start with great people.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re a Senior Civil Estimator ready to take ownership of major tenders, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply in confidence via ryan@empowermanagement.com.au