GRADUATE ESTIMATOR – DEFENCE, WATER, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL SECTORS
About the Role
Saunders International is looking for a motivated recent graduate to join our pre-contracts team and learn the art of cost estimating from the ground up, working across some of Australia's most significant infrastructure projects.
Sitting within our close-knit tendering team in Meadowbrook, you'll work alongside experienced estimators, business development managers and project engineers to develop accurate, competitive bids for clients in the Defence, Water, Energy, Resources and Industrial sectors.
This isn't a coffee-and-filing role.
From day one you'll be contributing to real tender submissions — learning how to build cost estimates from first principles, coordinate with subject matter experts, and help craft proposals that win major contracts.
What You'll Do
Assist in preparing cost estimates and proposals for construction and maintenance tenders across the Defence, Water, Energy, Resources and Industrial sectors
Review tender documents and RFP specifications to ensure all requirements are captured in bids
Liaise with engineers, project managers, schedulers and SHEQ teams to gather the information needed for accurate proposals
Monitor public and private sector tender portals to identify new business opportunities
Maintain accurate bid files, records of communications and pricing documentation
Participate in estimate review meetings and weekly team meetings
Contribute to post-bid reviews to identify improvements for future submissions
About You
We're looking for potential, not a perfect resume.
If you're curious, organised and excited about construction and infrastructure, we want to hear from you.
A degree or diploma in Engineering, Construction Management,



Quantity Surveying or a related field — or relevant trade/industry experience
Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving
Good written and verbal communication skills — you'll be working across teams and with clients
Ability to manage your time and juggle multiple tasks as deadlines approach
A team-first attitude — we win tenders together
Curiosity about how large-scale construction projects are priced, planned and delivered
Exposure to estimating software or quantity takeoffs
Interest or experience in the SMP, heavy industrial or tank building sectors
Experience adapting to changing priorities and tight deadlines
To join the Saunders team, you'll need:
Full working rights in Australia
Contactable references
A transparent criminal record check
To complete a pre-employment medical (including drug & alcohol screening)
For the right person, we would consider engaging you under the type of contract that works for you - full time, part time, ongoing, or temporary.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
Saunders embraces the values of an innovative and diverse workforce and recognises that inclusion sets us all up for success.
We encourage applications from people of all ages, individuals with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, ADF veterans, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and other culturally diverse backgrounds.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure a positive, barrier-free recruitment experience and supportive workplace.
All suitably qualified or experienced applicants will be considered.
We appreciate the time and effort that goes into each application.
While we review every submission carefully, we aren't always able to respond individually due to application volume.
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📌 Graduate Estimator (Brisbane)
🏢 Saunders International
📍 Brisbane