Senior Estimator

• BSc QS, Civil Engineering (or equivalent )
• Full - Time
• Cape Town , RSA

Sevra Company Overview Sevra Engineering & Project Management Consultants LLC (Sevra) is a specialist marine engineering consultancy with head offices in the United Arab Emirates and a branch office in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 2025, Sevra was founded with the objective of building a technically rigorous, commercially astute consultancy focused exclusively on marine and coastal infrastructure. The company combines deep regional experience with efficient, high - qua lity delivery models to provide practical engineering solutions for complex maritime projects. Sevra delivers services across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage master planning and feasibility through to detailed design and construction supervision. The firm's core technical capabilities include coastal numerical modelling, coastal enginee ring, marine structural engineering, marine geotechnics, dredging and reclamation design, and construction - phase engineering support. Sevra's work spans ports and terminals, waterfront developments, marinas, breakwaters, shoreline protection schemes, and specialist marine infrastructure.

Sevra operates with a lean front office in the UAE and a closely integrated technical back office Town , allowing senior staff to remain hands on while delivering cost effective outcomes for clients.

Engineers joining Sevra have the opportunity to work directly with experienced leadership, take ownership of technically challenging projects, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and direction of a specialist consultancy.

Job Overview The Senior Estimator will play a key role in supporting marine works contractors in the preparation of design & build bids from Sevra's Cape Town office. The role carries full responsibility for the development of robust, accurate, and commercially sound cost estimates for marine and coastal infrastructure projects, including dredging, reclamation, quay walls, breakwaters, and associated marine works.

The position requires a highly experienced estimator capable of working closely with planners and engineers to translate construction strategies into quantified scopes, production rates, resource requirements, and cost models. The Senior Estimator will take ownership of all cost related aspects of bids, ensuring that estimates are aligned with proposed methodologies, realistic in execution and competitive in the market.

This role is central to Sevra's contractor support offering and requires strong commercial judgement, a deep understanding of marine construction, and the ability to challenge assumptions to de risk bids and optimise project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the preparation, accuracy, and completeness of cost estimates for marine works tenders.
• Develop detailed cost breakdown structures aligned with construction methodologies and project scope.
• Ensure all quantities, rates, and assumptions are clearly defined, traceable, and auditable.
• Maintain consistency between estimate, programme, and methodology.

Quantification & Scope Definition

• Measure and quantify works including dredging volumes, reclamation, rock works, concrete, piling, and marine structures.
• Interpret drawings, specifications, and technical data to develop accurate quantity take offs (with the support of digital terrain models prepared by support staff) and to identify onerous clauses, non standard requirements, or scope items that carry pricing risks.
• Identify scope gaps, ambiguities, and risks within tender documentation.
• Identify scope interfaces with other contractors, utilities or marine traffic that carry cost or programme risks, and ensure these are priced or qualified appropriately.
• Define allowances, exclusions, and assumptions in a structured and defensible manner.

Rate Build - Up & Cost Modelling

• Develop first principles rate build ups based on labour, plant, materials, and production outputs.
• Define production rates in collaboration with planners, operators and engineers.
• Price marine plant utilisation (e.g. dredgers, barges, cranes, piling equipment) including mobilisation, standby, and inefficiencies.
• Prepare scopes of work for subcontractor pricing, issue enquiries, and analyse returns for inclusion in the estimate.
• Incorporate logistics, temporary works, weather downtime, and marine constraints into cost models.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities within the estimate, including productivity, ground conditions, and constructibility risks.
• Apply appropriate risk allowances and contingencies.
• Develop project cash flow forecast linked to the estimate and programme, to inform bid pricing strategy, mark up levels, and financing cost allowances.
• Support bid strategy by evaluating alternative construction approaches and their cost implications.
• Benchmark rates and outputs against historical data and market intelligence relating to regional market conditions, and plant availability that influence bid competitiveness.
• Maintain awareness of regional market conditions, and plant availability that influence bid competitiveness.

Coordination & Interfaces

• Attend tender clarification meetings, raise RFIs (Requests for Information), and manage commercial aspects of the tender query process.
• Work closely with planners and operators to align cost estimates with construction programmes and sequencing.
• Interface with technical methodology specialists to ensure constructability and consistency.
• Support coordination with contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors to obtain budget pricing.
• Contribute to technical and commercial bid reviews.
• Prepare cost summaries, pricing schedules, and commercial submissions.
• Assist in preparing clarifications and commercial qualifications.
• Participate in internal and external bid review meetings.

Capability Development

• Contribute to the development of estimating tools, templates, and databases.
• Build and maintain a library of production rates, cost data, and benchmarks specific to marine works.

Qualifications & Professional Registrations Bachelor's degree Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or equivalent.

• Professional registration preferred.

Experience Requirements

• 8 - 15 years relevant experience in estimating for marine or heavy civil works.
• Strong experience in contractor side estimating for dredging, marine structures or reclamation projects.
• Experience in the Middle East marine construction market preferred.

Technical Skills & Tools

• Advanced understanding of marine construction methods including dredging, reclamation, piling, and breakwaters , quay walls, etc.
• Ability to develop first principles cost estimates based on construction methodology.
• Strong understanding of production rates, equipment productivity, and sequencing.
• Ability to produce S curve cash flow forecasts linked to estimates and programmes.

Marine Specific Costing

• Pricing of marine plant including dredgers, cranes, barges, tugs, and support vessels.
• Understanding of weather downtime, marine access constraints, and operational risks.
• Cost modelling for temporary works, marine logistics, and mobilisation.

Software & Analytical Tools

• Advanced Excel skills and dedicated estimating platforms.
• Ability to develop structured, auditable cost models.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to challenge assumptions.
• Clear documentation of estimate basis, assumptions, and risks.
• Ability to produce defensible and auditable cost estimates.

Communication & Presentation Skills

• Ability to present and defend estimates in client or internal bid review meetings.
• Strong negotiation skills with suppliers, subcontractors, and clients during tender clarification phases.

Behavioural & Soft Skills The role requires a high standard of professional conduct and interpersonal behaviour. These attributes are considered as important as technical competence.

• Demonstrates a strong team oriented mindset, working for the collective success of the company rather than individual agendas.
• Contributes positively to a respectful, professional, and collaborative working environment, both within the local office and across offshore and international teams.
• Engages constructively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, and does not participate in workplace negativity, gossip, or unprofessional conduct.
• Actively supports, collaborates with, and uplifts team members, sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of others.
• Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally, particularly when working under pressure or across different cultures and time zones.
• Demonstrates maturity, accountability, and sound judgement in all professional interactions.

Working Environment Expecations Office Location: Based full time in Sevra's Cape Town office, South Africa.

• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, with a standard working week of 45 hours.
• Office Attendance: The role is primarily office based, with an expectation of a minimum of three days per week in the Cape Town office to support collaboration, project delivery, and team integration.
• Travel Requirements: Regular travel (min. one week per quarter) to the UAE is required to support project delivery, client meetings, and site activities.
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