About RSK Renewables
RSK Renewables is part of the RSK Group and is a renewable energy engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
We provide design, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for commercial and utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage systems, wind turbines and associated electrical and high-voltage infrastructure.
Our headquarters are located in Stirling, Scotland, the business delivers renewable energy projects throughout the UK. Established in 2007 and previously known as Absolute Solar and Wind. RSK Renewables has extensive experience in helping clients reduce their energy costs, improve energy resilience and meet their environmental and carbon-reduction objectives.
We work in collaboration with clients, designers, consultants, equipment manufacturers, suppliers and specialist subcontractors to deliver safe, compliant and commercially successful renewable energy projects.
RSK Group is a leading global provider of environmental, engineering and technical services. Since 1989, the Group's philosophy has remained focused on employing, developing and retaining talented people who can innovate, grow professionally and make a positive difference.
Role Purpose
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.
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.
Key Responsibilities
- Tender Review and Planning
- Design Collaboration and Technical Review
- Drawing and Document Interpretation
- Cost Estimating
- Cost-Model Ownership and Governance
- Supplier and Subcontractor Engagement
- Programme and Construction Methodology
- Risk and Opportunity Management
- Contractual and Commercial Review
- Tender Adjudication and Approval
- Tender Submission and Negotiation
- Project Handover
- Benchmarking and Continuous Improvement
- Health, Safety, Environment and Quality
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.
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.