Head - Estimation - Heavy Engineering

Job Purpose: The Head - Estimation will lead the costing and bidding function for complex, custom-engineered equipment. This role is responsible for delivering highly accurate, competitive, and technically sound cost estimates to win high-value contracts. The scope covers static equipment, rotary equipment, and material-handling systems for major sectors including Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Fertilisers, Defence, and Nuclear energy. Key Responsibilities: Cost Estimation & Pricing Strategy: - Lead the end-to-end estimation, costing, and technical pre-bid process for static equipment (pressure vessels, heat exchangers, columns), rotary equipment, and material-handling equipment. - Establish precise cost baselines by analyzing raw material requirements, manufacturing/fabrication man-hours, machining costs, welding operations, and special testing parameters. - Formulate competitive pricing strategies by balancing risk mitigation with target profit margins to optimize win rates. Bid Management & Process Controls: - Review complex global tenders, Request for Quotations (RFQs), and technical specifications to identify critical commercial risks, deviations, and fabrication constraints. - Oversee the timely preparation of technical and commercial bid packages for major global EPCs, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private industrial giants. - Standardize estimation models, historical cost databases, and benchmarking templates to scale department accuracy and speed. Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Synergy: - Partner with the Procurement and Supply Chain teams to secure accurate, up-to-date vendor quotes for specialized raw materials (e.g., exotic alloys, clad plates) and outsourced items. - Collaborate closely with Design Engineering to optimize material take-offs (MTOs) and propose cost-effective alternatives (value engineering) during the pre-bid stage. - Interface with the International Marketing and Sales team to provide technical-commercial clarity during contract negotiations and client meetings. Team Leadership: - Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of estimation and costing engineers. - Set clear performance metrics, conduct regular bid post-mortems to refine estimation formulas, and maintain accountability for pricing accuracy. Required Candidate Profile: Technical & Domain Expertise: - Deep, fundamental knowledge of the heavy mechanical fabrication industry, including welding technologies, machining, plate-rolling, heat treatment, and non-destructive testing (NDT). - Proven expertise in reading engineering drawings (GA drawings, data sheets) and translating them into precise manufacturing cost breakdowns. - Thorough familiarity with international codes, standards (ASME, TEMA, IBR), and raw material pricing cycles. Experience & Education: - 10+ years of progressive experience in the estimation and costing function within heavy engineering or process equipment manufacturing. - Bachelor's degree (B.E. / B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering or Production Engineering. Competencies: - Exceptional analytical and mathematical capabilities with sharp financial acumen. - High-stakes negotiation skills and the ability to articulate technical-commercial trade-offs cleanly to executive leadership and clients. - Strong leadership presence to guide cross-functional bid alignments under tight deadlines.