Why Apply

Tired of pricing the same residential subdivisions or repetitive civil tenders with nothing technically interesting to get your teeth into?

The company is one of North Queensland’s largest and most technically advanced fabrication and engineering operations, based in Townsville with 250 tradespeople across five divisions. They are hiring a full-time permanent Estimator reporting directly to the Senior Project Manager and General Manager. This is a commercially critical role in a complex, niche fabrication business. You need to understand how the work is built, not just how to price a spreadsheet. The projects are genuinely varied and technically interesting, and the rate reflects the seniority of the position.

• Earn 50 AUD/hr flat rate, a strong package for a Townsville-based estimating position
• Monday to Friday, office-based, no FIFO, no rosters, and no swing shifts, a predictable and stable lifestyle in Townsville
• Free temporary accommodation for the right candidate
• Genuinely varied and technically interesting projects to price including reservoirs, sugar mill locomotives, pressure pipework, stainless conveyors, and complex one-off industrial fabrication
• Senior reporting line direct to the General Manager, real commercial visibility and influence in a large, established business
• 250-person operation with long-tenure staff, flat management, and a culture where people who stay are genuinely looked after
• Townsville lifestyle, affordable living, warm weather year-round, and a long-term base worth committing to

The Role

You will be working as an Estimator in the Townsville office of a large, technically advanced industrial fabrication and engineering business, reporting to the Senior Project Manager and General Manager. The role covers cost estimates, quotations, and tender submissions across fabrication, engineering, maintenance, and project activities including labour, materials, plant, subcontractors, freight, and other project costs. The scope is highly technical and the right candidate will be comfortable with fabrication and engineering documentation, not just spreadsheets.

Day to day you will be:

• Preparing cost estimates, quotations, and tender submissions across complex industrial fabrication and engineering projects
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, fabrication specifications, and project documentation independently
• Completing Bills of Quantities, material take-offs, and detailed cost breakdowns across labour, materials, plant, and subcontractor scopes
• Maintaining commercial accuracy and attention to detail across all tender submissions
• Working in Microsoft Excel and estimating or project management software across the tendering process
• Liaising with the Senior Project Manager and General Manager on project costs, margins, and commercial strategy
• Applying an understanding of how fabrication and engineering work is actually built, not just how it is priced

Standard hours are Monday to Friday, office-based in Townsville. If you are an experienced estimator from a heavy engineering, fabrication, structural steel, mechanical, piping, or industrial construction background, this role is worth a serious look. Trade-qualified candidates who have transitioned into estimating are a particularly strong fit for this client.

What We Need

• Demonstrated estimating experience within construction, engineering, fabrication, mining, maintenance, or infrastructure, no experience in these sectors is a disqualifier
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and project specifications independently
• Bills of Quantities, material take-off, and detailed cost breakdown capability across labour, materials, plant, and subcontractor scopes
• Competent in Microsoft Excel and estimating or project management software, ERP system experience advantageous
• Strong analytical, numerical, and commercial accuracy, this person is accountable for the commercial integrity of tenders
• Trade, engineering, construction, or quantity surveying qualification desirable, trade-qualified candidates who have moved into estimating are a strong fit for the technical nature of this role
• Experience estimating structural steel, mechanical fabrication, piping, or industrial projects strongly advantageous, generic civil or residential backgrounds are a weaker fit
• Genuinely committed to relocating to Townsville long term, candidates who are not serious about settling will not suit

Why This Role

At 50 AUD/hr flat rate with a direct reporting line to the General Manager and some of the most technically interesting projects available to an estimator in North Queensland, this is a role that offers real commercial influence in a business doing genuinely complex work. Monday to Friday, no FIFO, in a city that is affordable and genuinely liveable for the long term.

For Kiwi estimators with a heavy engineering or fabrication background who are ready to make a proper move and price work that actually challenges them, Townsville and this role are worth a serious look.

How to Apply

If you are ready to earn more and build a proper future in Australia, apply now or get in touch for a confidential chat.

Phone: 0273141927
Email: talent2@standuprecruitment.co.nz

Even if you are just curious, reach out and let’s talk it through.