Estimation Engineer – Steel & Aluminium Works

Location: Dubai, UAE

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Estimation Engineer to manage the preparation of accurate and commercially competitive estimates, cost plans, BOQs, and quotations for structural steel, aluminium, glazing, façade, and architectural metalwork projects.

The role will involve reviewing tender and project documents, understanding drawings and specifications, preparing material and labour quantities, obtaining supplier and subcontractor quotations, developing detailed cost estimates, and supporting the commercial team through tender submission and project handover.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge of steel and aluminium fabrication, construction estimating, BOQ preparation, and UAE market pricing, with the ability to evaluate complex drawings and develop value-engineered and commercially viable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Estimation & Tendering

• Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, BOQs, scope of work, and contractual requirements.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates for structural steel, aluminium, glazing, façade, cladding, and architectural metalwork packages.
• Develop accurate quantity take-offs from architectural, structural, and shop drawings.
• Prepare detailed BOQs covering materials, fabrication, finishing, installation, labour, equipment, logistics, and other project costs.
• Analyse tender requirements and identify inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, and potential commercial risks.
• Prepare competitive and technically compliant quotations within required submission deadlines.
• Evaluate alternative materials, systems, and construction methods to develop cost-effective solutions.

Material & Quantity Take-Off

• Calculate quantities for steel sections, plates, aluminium profiles, glass, cladding, hardware, fasteners, accessories, and other project materials.
• Review drawings and specifications to ensure complete scope coverage during quantity take-off.
• Prepare material schedules and procurement-related quantity requirements.
• Verify quantities against BOQs, drawings, specifications, and project revisions.
• Identify potential wastage, fabrication losses, and material optimization opportunities.
• Coordinate with the drafting and technical teams to clarify drawing discrepancies and missing information.

Supplier & Subcontractor Coordination

• Prepare RFQs and obtain competitive quotations from suppliers, fabricators, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations based on price, technical compliance, specifications, lead time, and commercial terms.
• Maintain an updated database of supplier rates, material prices, fabrication costs, labour rates, and subcontractor pricing.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers and subcontractors where required.
• Benchmark quotations to ensure competitive procurement and accurate project costing.
• Coordinate with procurement teams to validate current market prices and material availability.

Costing & Commercial Analysis

• Prepare detailed cost sheets covering direct and indirect project costs.
• Calculate material, labour, fabrication, installation, transportation, equipment, wastage, and subcontracting costs.
• Develop project-specific pricing based on scope, quantities, specifications, and execution requirements.
• Analyse historical project costs and market rates to improve estimating accuracy.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and value-engineering alternatives.
• Assess project risks and incorporate appropriate contingencies into estimates.
• Support management in establishing appropriate margins and final selling prices.

Technical & Drawing Review

• Review architectural, structural, façade, aluminium, glazing, and metalwork drawings for estimation purposes.
• Interpret plans, elevations, sections, details, specifications, and schedules.
• Identify constructability issues, design gaps, and scope discrepancies that may impact project cost.
• Coordinate with design and drafting teams to obtain technical clarifications.
• Review revisions and assess their impact on quantities and project pricing.
• Ensure all major project components are adequately considered within the estimate.

Tender Submission & Commercial Support

• Prepare tender summaries, commercial comparison sheets, pricing breakdowns, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with management and commercial teams during final tender reviews.
• Highlight key commercial risks, exclusions, deviations, and assumptions before submission.
• Support negotiations and clarification meetings with clients, consultants, and main contractors.
• Prepare revised quotations based on client comments, negotiation outcomes, and scope changes.
• Maintain complete records of submitted tenders, quotations, calculations, and supporting documents.

Project Handover & Post-Tender Support

• Participate in tender clarification and post-award discussions when required.
• Support the project team during handover by explaining estimate assumptions, quantities, rates, and commercial considerations.
• Assist with variation pricing, additional works, and change-order estimates.
• Review actual project costs against estimated costs and provide feedback for future tenders.
• Maintain historical costing data to improve future estimation accuracy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• 4–7 years of experience in estimation within structural steel, aluminium, façade, glazing, metal fabrication, or construction.
• Strong experience in preparing estimates and BOQs for steel and aluminium works.
• Solid understanding of fabrication, finishing, installation, and site execution processes.
• Strong ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and engineering drawings.
• Good knowledge of UAE construction materials, suppliers, subcontractors, and market pricing.
• Experience with tendering for residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, industrial, or large-scale construction projects is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and estimation/costing software.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and the ability to review CAD drawings is preferred.
• UAE experience in steel, aluminium, façade, or architectural metalwork is strongly preferred.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Construction estimation and costing
• Structural steel estimation
• Aluminium and glazing estimation
• Façade and architectural metalwork costing
• Quantity take-off and BOQ preparation
• Tender analysis
• Supplier and subcontractor evaluation
• Market rate analysis
• Commercial negotiation
• Value engineering
• Cost control and risk assessment
• AutoCAD drawing interpretation
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Strong numerical and analytical ability
• Attention to detail
• Strong commercial awareness
• Time management and deadline orientation
• Excellent communication and coordination skills

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience and technical expertise
• Opportunity to work on major UAE construction and architectural metalwork projects
• Exposure to structural steel, aluminium, glazing, façade, and specialist metalwork packages
• Professional and technically driven working environment
• Opportunities for career development and progression
• Exposure to complex design, fabrication, supply, and installation projects

Apply now!