Functional Estimator

Job Title:
Functional Estimator

Location:
Plymouth Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: £33,900 to £39,607 Dependent Upon Experience + Benefits

Role Type:
Full time / Permanent

Role

Power the Future of Naval Engineering Through Expert Cost Insight

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Functional Estimator at our Plymouth, Devon site.

The role

As a Functional Estimator, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll play a vital role in shaping the success of major warship support programmes by producing accurate, high-quality labour and material cost estimates. Your work will directly influence project planning, commercial decisions, and programme delivery across the Warship Support business.

This is an exciting opportunity to build your career within defence engineering—developing your technical capabilities while working on complex projects that demand precision, collaboration, and innovation.

Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:

• Interpret electrical engineering specifications and technical drawings to develop accurate cost estimates
• Produce detailed labour and material estimates for competitive bids and ongoing programmes
• Collaborate with engineering, commercial, and project teams to validate and refine costing assumptions
  
  Conduct site and ship visits to clarify client requirements and inform estimates
• Support senior estimators with cost analysis and input into future upgrade and feasibility proposals

This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week based at Devonport Royal Dockyard. Hybrid working patterns are available. You will be working a minimum of one day a week onsite.

Essential experience of the Functional Estimator

• Demonstrable background in electrical engineering with the ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders
• Experience working collaboratively within a team environment
• Analytical approach to problem-solving and attention to detail
• A proactive mindset with a desire to learn, develop, and progress

Qualifications for the Functional Estimator

• A recognised trade-based apprenticeship or equivalent qualification/experience in an engineering or estimating discipline
• Relevant engineering certifications or further qualifications would be advantageous

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels -  ().

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva Digi Care+
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email car with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 17/06/2026