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The Solar and Renewable Energy Estimator will be responsible for producing accurate, competitive and fully evidenced cost estimates for solar PV, battery energy storage, electrical infrastructure and other renewable energy projects.

The Estimator will be an integral member of the tender team and will work closely with Sales, Design, Procurement, Commercial and Construction colleagues to understand the client's requirements, interrogate the proposed design, identify scope gaps and establish the complete financial and resource requirements of each project.

Role Purpose

The role requires the ability to interpret Employer's Requirements, tender documentation, specifications, contracts, programmes, surveys, drawings, single-line diagrams, layouts, equipment schedules and bills of quantities.

The Estimator will own the integrity and completeness of the project estimate. This includes maintaining a clear and auditable record of quantities, quotations, benchmark rates, assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, risks, opportunities, approvals and design changes.

The role is not limited to entering prices into a cost model. The successful candidate must understand the technical and commercial basis of the project, challenge incomplete information constructively and ensure that the final tender reflects the intended design, construction methodology, programme and contractual requirements.

Working Relationships

• Sales and Business Development
• Design and Engineering
• Commercial
• Procurement
• Construction and Project Management
• Operations and Maintenance
• Health, Safety, Environment and Quality
• Finance
• Clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors

Key Responsibilities

1. Tender Review and Planning

• Review invitations to tender, Employer's Requirements, specifications, contracts, drawings, surveys, programmes and other tender documentation.
• Work with the tender team to establish the bid strategy, tender deliverables, responsibilities, programme and approval requirements.
• Maintain a controlled tender document register and ensure that the estimate is based on the latest available document and design revisions.
• Identify missing, incomplete, conflicting or ambiguous information.
• Prepare and manage tender queries and requests for information.
• Review client responses and ensure that any resulting cost, programme or risk implications are incorporated into the estimate.
• Contribute to bid qualification and tender review meetings.
• Support bid, no-bid and tender strategy decisions by providing clear information on project complexity, cost drivers, resource requirements and commercial exposure.

2. Design Collaboration and Technical Review

• Work closely with the Design and Engineering team throughout the tender process.
• Develop a clear understanding of the proposed system architecture, design basis, equipment selection, construction methodology and technical assumptions.
• Participate in tender design reviews and provide estimating input as the design develops.
• Review designs to identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, constructability concerns and items that have not been adequately costed.
• Challenge incomplete or inconsistent design information constructively and escalate material concerns.
• Confirm that the estimate reflects the latest approved tender design.
• Maintain a record of design changes that affect quantities, equipment, programme, methodology, risk or cost.
• Clearly record design assumptions, provisional allowances and areas requiring further technical development.
• Work with Design and Construction colleagues to develop value-engineering opportunities without compromising safety, compliance, performance, quality or the client's requirements.
• Ensure that proposed equipment and systems are technically aligned with the pricing basis and supplier quotations.

3. Drawing and Document Interpretation

• Solar PV site layouts; module layouts and stringing drawings; single-line diagrams.
• AC and DC cable schedules; cable routing, trench and duct drawings.
• Inverter layouts and equipment schedules; transformer, MV station and substation arrangements.
• HV and LV electrical layouts; earthing and lightning protection drawings.
• SCADA, communications, metering and CCTV layouts.
• Civil engineering, drainage and access-road drawings; fencing, gates and security layouts.
• Piling and mounting-system drawings.
• Battery energy storage system layouts and electrical architecture.
• Rooftop structural and electrical layouts.
• Bills of quantities, bills of materials, project programmes, logistics plans and construction-phasing information.

Role boundary: The Estimator is not expected to undertake the duties of the project designer but must understand the cost, programme, construction and commercial consequences of the design.

4. Cost Estimating

• Prepare detailed bottom-up cost estimates for renewable energy and associated infrastructure projects.
• Undertake quantity take-offs from drawings, schedules, specifications, models and other design information.
• Identify the required labour, supervision, plant, materials, equipment, temporary works and subcontract resources.
• Develop estimates across the complete project scope, including design, surveys, preliminaries, civils, piling, mounting systems, modules, inverters, BESS, cabling, electrical balance of plant, HV infrastructure, SCADA, security, earthing, lightning protection, testing, commissioning, logistics, O&M, spares and close-out.
• Ensure all relevant project interfaces are identified and priced.
• Distinguish clearly between fixed costs, budget quotations, provisional sums, calculated allowances, benchmark rates and estimator assumptions.
• Apply appropriate labour productivity, plant utilisation and wastage assumptions.
• Price project-specific constraints rather than relying solely on generic rates.
• Ensure escalation, inflation, foreign exchange, contingency, overheads and margin are applied in accordance with company procedures and approvals.

5. Cost-Model Ownership and Governance

• Own the completion, accuracy and integrity of the project estimating cost model.
• Use the approved estimating system, templates, package structure and cost codes.
• Ensure every cost is allocated to the correct work package, cost category and project phase.
• Maintain traceability between design quantities, supplier quotations, subcontractor returns, internal allowances, benchmark rates and the final tender price.
• Record the source, date, validity and status of all prices used within the estimate.
• Clearly identify whether each material cost or allowance is fixed, budgetary, provisional, benchmarked or subject to further investigation.
• Maintain effective estimate version control and ensure superseded pricing and quantities are excluded.
• Protect controlled formulas, calculation methods and approved estimating assumptions from unauthorised amendment.
• Complete all mandatory estimating and governance checks before tender adjudication.
• Investigate and resolve unusual rates, incomplete packages, missing quantities, duplicate costs and other exceptions.
• Ensure that all adjustments following tender reviews or adjudication are recorded and approved.
• Maintain a clear audit trail showing how the approved tender price was developed.

6. Supplier and Subcontractor Engagement

• Work with Procurement and relevant technical colleagues to identify suitable suppliers and subcontractors.
• Prepare clear procurement enquiries and scopes of work aligned with the tender design, delivery strategy and client requirements.
• Issue tender enquiries with sufficient information to obtain relevant and comparable quotations.
• Obtain and analyse quotations for materials, equipment, specialist services and subcontract works.
• Confirm that quotations are technically and commercially aligned with the project requirements.
• Compare returns on a like-for-like basis and identify exclusions, qualifications, scope gaps, interfaces, lead times, validity periods and commercial risks.
• Prepare quotation comparison schedules and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Challenge unusually high or low quotations and confirm the reasons for material differences.
• Avoid relying on headline quotation values where the underlying scope is incomplete or inconsistent.
• Record the selected pricing basis and retain supporting evidence within the tender file.

7. Programme and Construction Methodology

• Work with Construction, Design and Project Management colleagues to understand how the project will be delivered.
• Review the proposed tender or construction programme and identify its impact on cost.
• Confirm that the estimate reflects the anticipated project duration, phasing and construction methodology.
• Validate assumptions for labour productivity, crew composition, supervision, plant, mobilisation, site access, logistics, welfare, storage, lifting, temporary works, seasonal constraints, working hours, commissioning, grid connection and acceleration.
• Reconcile priced resources against the proposed programme.
• Ensure project preliminaries are appropriate for the anticipated duration, location, complexity and delivery strategy.
• Identify programme assumptions and dependencies that could materially affect the tender price.

8. Risk and Opportunity Management

• Identify technical, contractual, design, construction, procurement, programme and commercial risks.
• Consider ground conditions, access, logistics, planning, grid requirements, equipment availability, lead times, weather, interfaces and incomplete design information.
• Record identified risks and opportunities within the tender risk and opportunity register.
• Quantify risks where reasonably practicable.
• Distinguish between priced scope, provisional sums, risk allowances, management contingency, client qualifications and exclusions.
• Escalate significant uncertainty or unquantified exposure to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Avoid concealing significant risks within general rates or unsubstantiated allowances.
• Work with the tender team to develop mitigation actions and identify commercial, technical, procurement and programme opportunities.

9. Contractual and Commercial Review

• Support the Commercial team in reviewing contractual requirements and identifying conditions that could affect cost, programme or risk.
• Understand the commercial implications of relevant construction and engineering contract forms, including JCT and NEC where applicable.
• Review Employer's Requirements, pricing schedules and contractual scope to identify obligations that must be reflected within the estimate.
• Identify scope interfaces, design obligations, testing requirements, warranties, bonds, guarantees, insurances and other project-specific requirements.
• Ensure the tender assumptions, exclusions and qualifications are consistent with the cost estimate.
• Highlight departures from the proposed contractual or technical position.
• Support the development of commercially appropriate clarifications and qualifications, tender negotiations and post-tender clarifications.

10. Tender Adjudication and Approval

• Prepare a clear and comprehensive tender adjudication pack.
• Present the estimate and its basis to the relevant management and approval team.
• Explain the project scope, design basis, key quantities, cost drivers, supplier strategy, methodology, programme, assumptions, exclusions, provisional sums, risks, opportunities, contingency, overheads and margin.
• Respond to challenge and provide supporting evidence for significant rates and allowances.
• Update the estimate following adjudication and maintain a record of approved changes.
• Obtain the required technical, commercial and management approvals before submission.
• Ensure that the client proposal and pricing schedules reconcile with the approved cost model.
• Ensure that no material scope, cost or risk changes are introduced after approval without review and authorisation.

11. Tender Submission and Negotiation

• Support the preparation of accurate and professional tender submissions.
• Complete pricing schedules and commercial return documents.
• Ensure the submitted price is consistent across the cost model, client pricing schedules, proposal and supporting documentation.
• Support client clarification meetings, tender interviews and commercial negotiations.
• Assess the cost and risk implications of revised requirements and negotiation positions.
• Maintain a clear record of post-submission changes and obtain approval for amendments to price, margin, risk allowances or commercial position.
• Support the preparation and review of best and final offers.

12. Project Handover

• Complete a structured handover of successful tenders to the delivery team.
• Explain the scope, design basis, quantities, cost build-up, supplier strategy, programme assumptions, risks, opportunities and commercial position.
• Provide relevant quotations, comparison schedules, correspondence, assumptions, exclusions and supporting cost information.
• Highlight provisional sums, outstanding design matters, unresolved queries and items requiring early procurement or investigation.
• Ensure there is a clear understanding of what has and has not been included in the project budget.
• Support initial mobilisation and procurement activities where estimating knowledge is required.
• Record feedback from the delivery team regarding cost, scope or constructability concerns.

13. Benchmarking and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain historical cost information in accordance with the company's cost coding and estimating structure.
• Develop and maintain cost benchmarks by project type, technology, work package, supplier and appropriate unit of measurement.
• Compare new estimates against relevant historical projects and current market information.
• Investigate significant variances from benchmark rates and capture reasons for legitimate project-specific variances.
• Monitor market conditions, supplier pricing, labour costs, plant rates, material movements and technology changes.
• Obtain feedback on submitted tenders and analyse pricing trends.
• Participate in post-tender and post-project reviews.
• Compare estimated costs against procurement commitments, project forecasts and final outturn costs.
• Investigate material cost variances and incorporate verified lessons learned into future estimates and assumptions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the company's estimating systems, templates, governance and cost intelligence.

14. Health, Safety, Environment and Quality

• Comply with the RSK Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Management System.
• Consider health, safety, environmental and quality requirements when developing estimates.
• Ensure appropriate allowances are made for safe systems of work, welfare, temporary works, quality assurance, inspections, testing and environmental controls.
• Challenge proposed cost reductions that could compromise safety, statutory compliance, quality or technical performance.
• Promote a positive culture of safety, quality, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that tender assumptions are consistent with the company's required standards and legal obligations.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in estimating, quantity surveying or commercial management within construction, infrastructure, utilities, power, engineering or renewable energy.
• Experience preparing detailed bottom-up estimates for multidisciplinary projects.
• A strong understanding of construction methods and project delivery.
• The ability to undertake quantity take-offs from drawings, schedules, specifications and other design information.
• The ability to read and understand technical, civil and electrical drawings.
• Experience pricing labour, plant, materials, equipment, subcontract works and project preliminaries.
• Experience obtaining and evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• The ability to identify scope gaps, interfaces, exclusions and commercial exposure.
• Understanding of procurement processes and supply-chain engagement.
• Understanding of construction programmes, methodology, resource planning and productivity.
• Experience managing tender assumptions, exclusions, risks and opportunities.
• Understanding of value engineering and whole-project cost implications.
• Experience using structured estimating systems, cost models or cost-management tools, with strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Good numerical and analytical ability and experience preparing information for tender reviews or adjudication.
• Understanding of construction contracts and contractual risk.
• Excellent attention to detail, communication and document-control discipline.
• The ability to work accurately under pressure and meet tender deadlines.
• A full UK driving licence and eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Previous experience estimating utility-scale or commercial solar PV projects.
• Experience with battery energy storage systems, HV infrastructure, substations or grid connections.
• Understanding of AC and DC electrical balance of plant.
• Familiarity with modules, inverters, transformers, MV stations, switchgear and protection systems.
• Understanding of piling, solar mounting systems and associated civil engineering works.
• Experience with SCADA, communications, metering, CCTV, earthing or lightning protection packages.
• Understanding of testing, commissioning and grid-compliance requirements.
• Experience working within an engineering, procurement and construction environment.
• Experience of rooftop solar projects, digital measurement, BIM or estimating software.
• A relevant qualification in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering or a related discipline.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body and knowledge of relevant JCT and NEC forms of contract.

Solar industry experience is desirable, but candidates from power, utilities, electrical infrastructure or multidisciplinary construction may also be considered where they can demonstrate strong estimating discipline, technical curiosity and the ability to develop renewable energy expertise.

Skills and Behaviours

Accuracy and Attention to Detail - Works methodically, checks information before issue, maintains auditable records and distinguishes between confirmed information, quotations, benchmarks, assumptions and professional judgement.

Technical Curiosity - Seeks to understand how the proposed system and project will work, asks appropriate questions and does not accept incomplete or inconsistent information without appropriate challenge.

Collaboration - Works constructively with Design, Construction, Commercial, Procurement and Sales, recognising that an accurate estimate requires input from multiple disciplines.

Ownership and Accountability - Takes responsibility for estimate completeness and integrity, follows tender governance and escalates significant risks.

Commercial Awareness - Balances competitiveness, risk and sustainable project returns while considering the long-term operational and commercial consequences of estimating decisions.

Communication - Explains and defends the basis of an estimate clearly and raises difficult issues professionally and constructively.

Continuous Improvement - Uses feedback from tenders and delivered projects to improve benchmarks, cost intelligence, systems and future estimates.

Measures of Success

• Accuracy, completeness and auditability of project estimates.
• Compliance with tender governance and approval requirements.
• Quality and timeliness of tender submissions.
• Effective collaboration with Design, Construction, Commercial and Procurement.
• Identification and management of scope gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Quality of supplier and subcontractor quotation analysis.
• Alignment between estimates, tender proposals and approved pricing.
• Quality and completeness of project handovers.
• Comparison of estimated costs against committed and final project costs.
• Development and use of reliable estimating benchmarks.
• Contribution to continuous improvement and lessons learned.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Flexible benefits programme, including the option to purchase additional annual leave and private healthcare.
• Regular training and career-development opportunities.
• Paid professional membership fees, where appropriate.
• Hybrid working in accordance with company policy.
• Opportunities to work on technically challenging renewable energy projects throughout the UK.