Southampton
Lead Fabrication Estimator – Mechanical Engineering & Fabrication Southampton | £40,000–£45,000 + benefits I’m recruiting for a long-established mechanical engineering business in Southampton that delivers complex fabrication projects across petrochemical, oil & gas, utility sectors. They’re busy, growing, and need a Lead Fabrication Estimator who genuinely knows their way around drawings, RFQs, structural steelwork and fabricated assemblies. If you enjoy the technical challenge of estimating bespoke fabrication projects — and want to join a company where your work directly influences bid success and project profitability — this is one to take seriously. The Role You’ll take ownership of multidiscipline fabrication estimates for a wide range of projects, including: • Structural steelwork, walkways, ladders, access platforms, • Modular skid frames and fabricated assemblies, • Atmospheric tanks and bespoke welding/manufacturing work, • Supporting the tendering process from initial enquiry through to submission, • Reviewing ITT/RFQ documentation, raising TQs and clarifying missing information, • Interpreting drawings/specs and producing accurate material take-offs, • Working with suppliers/sub-contractors to obtain competitive, accurate quotations What You’ll Need This role is ideal for someone from a mechanical engineering, fabrication, or petrochemical/oil & gas background with strong numerical and technical estimating skills. Essential: • Experience estimating fabrication and pipework systems projects, • Ability to read technical drawings and engineering specifications, • Confident producing material take-offs and labour calculations, • Strong communication skills and ability to engage with clients, suppliers and internal teams, • Numerically strong, highly organised and detail-driven, • Experience with BS EN 1090, • Understanding of standard engineering practices, • Salary £40k–£45k depending on experience, • 25 days holiday + bank holidays, • Company pension & sick pay scheme, • Long-term career progression — the company is growing and invests in their people If you’d like to discuss the role, the company culture, or whether your background fits — drop me a message and I’ll talk you through it. No pressure, no hard sell, just a proper conversation about whether this could be a strong next step for you.