Chief Estimator

About the role

The Chief Estimator leads the Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation and Control (MEI) estimating function for EPC/EPCC tenders across oil & gas, refinery, petrochemical and gas‑processing projects in the Middle East and North Africa. The role is accountable for the accuracy, competitiveness and consistency of all MEI estimates and must sign them off before submission.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and allocate the mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control estimating team across multiple EPC/EPCC tenders.
• Review and sign off quantities, unit rates, productivity norms, subcontract prices and the basis‑of‑estimate before tender submission.
• Set estimating strategy for each tender, including decisions on self‑perform vs subcontract, prefabrication, modularisation and construction methodology.
• Own the MEI cost database, establish productivity benchmarks and validate estimates against historical data.
• Present and defend estimates at tender review and management approval meetings, supporting negotiations and post‑bid client clarifications.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering.
• 10–15 years of estimating experience on oil & gas, refinery, petrochemical or gas‑processing EPC projects in the Middle East, with at least 5 years leading the MEI discipline.
• Proven ability to manage several large tenders simultaneously while maintaining quality and competitiveness.

Required skills

• Mechanical, electrical and instrumentation & control estimating.
• Cost database management and productivity norms benchmarking.
• Risk and opportunity analysis, contingency planning and value‑engineering.
• Tender review, negotiation support and client clarification handling.