This Senior Estimator role at Burhani Engineers Ltd involves leading and overseeing the preparation of accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates for complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects. Burhani Engineers Ltd is an established EPC Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering company operating in the East and Central Africa region (with offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala, and Dar-es-Salaam) offering end-to-end solutions in electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, and civil fields.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating Strategy & Leadership
- Lead and oversee the preparation of accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates for multidisciplinary projects across civil, electrical, mechanical, MEP, and instrumentation works.
- Provide strong leadership, mentorship, and professional development for the estimating team to enhance technical capability, consistency, and productivity.
- Establish, implement, and continuously improve standardized estimation procedures, tools, templates, and cost databases in line with company best practices.
- Review, validate, and approve all final estimates and tender submissions prior to senior management sign-off.
- Support executive management in defining pricing strategies, margin targets, and competitive positioning in line with the company’s long-term business objectives.
Tender Management
- Lead the end-to-end tendering process, including bid evaluation, cost build-up, risk pricing, documentation, and final submission.
- Coordinate inputs from engineering, procurement, project management, and commercial teams to ensure technically compliant and commercially viable tender submissions.
- Conduct comprehensive risk and opportunity assessments to support competitive yet sustainable and profitable pricing decisions.
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of all tenders while maintaining strict compliance with client requirements, contractual terms, and confidentiality standards.
Cost Planning & Control
- Provide pre-contract cost planning, benchmarking, and value engineering support to internal stakeholders and clients.
- Support post-award project teams by monitoring cost performance, analyzing variations, and assisting with claims and change management processes.
- Work closely with the project controls and delivery teams to ensure projects are executed within approved budgets and resource plans.
- Analyze historical cost data and lessons learned from completed projects to continuously improve estimation accuracy and forecasting reliability.
Market Intelligence & Supplier Relations
- Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers, subcontractors, and industry stakeholders to secure competitive pricing and reliable market intelligence.
- Oversee supplier and subcontractor prequalification processes, rate analysis, and commercial evaluations.
- Monitor market trends, material price fluctuations, labor rates, and industry benchmarks to ensure estimates reflect current market conditions.
Reporting & Documentation
- Prepare and present detailed estimation reports, tender summaries, cost comparisons, and bid analyses to senior management for informed decision-making.
- Maintain a comprehensive, well-organized repository of all estimates, tenders, cost data, and project-related documentation.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of all estimating data, systems, and records in accordance with company policies and governance requirements.
Process Improvement & Innovation
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the estimation function to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
- Lead the adoption and optimization of digital estimating tools, software, and technologies to support modern, data-driven estimation practices.
- Promote knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and innovation across the estimating team and the wider organization.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline from a recognized institution.
- Minimum of eight (8) years’ proven experience in construction and engineering estimation, with demonstrated involvement in large-scale and complex projects across multidisciplinary environments, including civil, electrical, mechanical, MEP, and instrumentation works.
- Demonstrated ability in leading and managing multidisciplinary estimation teams and handling high-value, competitive tenders within a structured corporate or engineering contracting environment.
- Strong technical competence in estimation methodologies, cost planning, cost control systems, and the use of industry-standard estimating and project management software.
- Excellent leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical and commercial information and translate it into accurate, value-driven cost estimates.
- Sound commercial acumen, with a strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement strategies, contractual risk, and pricing structures relevant to engineering and infrastructure projects.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors, and internal project teams.
- High standards of integrity, attention to detail, and results orientation, demonstrating reliability, professionalism, and accountability in all estimation and tendering activities.
