Commercial Practitioner or Specialist at Balaena

Ready to Put a Price on Big Ideas?

If you can look at a complex engineering project, spot the detail others might miss and turn it into a smart, competitive bid, we want to hear from you.

We’re looking for someone with a passion for commercial excellence to join our commercial team at Balaena Falmouth and help us win the right work as we grow.

This role offers opportunities for candidates with a range of experience levels, from those looking to build on existing commercial knowledge to experienced professionals looking for a new challenge. You'll play a key role in turning complex requirements into accurate, compelling bids, combining commercial awareness, analytical thinking and an eye for detail to help secure exciting new opportunities.

Who are we?

With a combined workforce of more than 2,000 people and operations across Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups. We combine industrial agility, innovation and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness and sustainability across naval and merchant ship sectors.

Our integrated facilities create one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups, with 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and Mediterranean. We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements, maintain close control through our in-house capabilities and work alongside customers to deliver what they need, when they need it.

What will you make happen?

• Get under the skin of project requirements, specifications and drawings to build accurate, competitive estimates.
• Bring together material, labour, equipment and subcontractor costs using the right systems, tools and technical insight.
• Create clear cost breakdowns, proposals and bid documents that give clients and internal teams real confidence.
• Partner with Project Managers, Engineers and other stakeholders to challenge assumptions, fill information gaps and make every submission stronger.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations to secure the best value.
• Spot opportunities for value engineering and cost savings, then grow into a bigger role in the wider bidding process.

Does this sound like you?

You’re curious, commercially switched on and genuinely interested in how things are built, costed and delivered. You ask good questions, build strong relationships and stay calm and focused when the pressure is on.

• An engineering degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience as an Estimator, or in project engineering involving steel and aluminium fabrication.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to communicate clearly, collaborate across teams and build credibility quickly.
• The organisation and resilience to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• An interest in the wider bid process and in finding better, more competitive ways to deliver work.

Why join us?

• Make an impact – Join a knowledgeable team and help shape the commercial decisions behind important marine and engineering projects.
• Keep growing – Learn from experienced specialists while developing your estimating, bidding and commercial capability.
• Build financial security – Benefit from an employer pension contribution of up to 4% and life cover worth seven times your basic salary.
• Look after your wellbeing – Access sick pay , counselling, digital mental health services and an employee assistance programme.
• Maintain balance – Receive 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, alongside maternity, paternity and parental leave support.

This is more than a numbers role. It’s an opportunity to influence which projects we win and how we deliver them. Bring your ideas, your judgement and your ambition—and help us build something special at Balaena Tyne.

Security requirements

Because of the nature of some of our customers’ work, certain roles are subject to security control restrictions. Factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities and your place of birth may affect which duties you can undertake.

All successful candidates must undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and attain Security Check (SC) Clearance as part of pre-employment checks, further information on this can be found here.