Estimator III

Project Engineer

Orion Engineers, PLLC was founded to make a difference to our employees, clients, and fellow military veterans who bravely served our country. Our team of dynamic and diverse professionals drive creative engineering solutions that are responsive, proactive, and cost effective for our clients and communities. Orion Engineers is looking for a dynamic Project Engineer with a focus on infrastructure and the transportation industry to join our growing firm.

This opportunity entails preparing all aspects of detailed cost estimates with minimal supervision for projects that are generally larger and more complex estimating assignments. Accurately projecting the cost of upcoming projects. Responsible for conceptual, definitive, man-hour, and equipment factored total installed cost estimates. Duties may also include preparing economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses.

Responsibilities include:

• Performs detailed cost estimates utilizing the Cost Breakdown Structure, determining the cost of each item from experience and summarizing the total. Prepares detailed breakdown of components and elements of estimates for systems and subsystems.
• Performs conceptual estimating by establishing a project's cost prior to development of graphical representation of a facility. Works closely with the project supervisor to ensure the project estimate meets all financial and regulatory guidelines. Operates and provides oversight and guidance on the use of selected estimating software.
• Provides support in price negotiations. Obtains cost information for materials and services. Participates in client presentations as required.
• Performs detailed cost estimates for professional services.
• Develops duration estimates of specific construction activities based on assumed construction approach and appropriate production rates. Prepares independent cost estimates for submitted change order proposals.
• Collaborates with scheduling team to develop productivity-based cost estimates and to ensure alignment of estimates to construction schedules.
• Analyzes specifications, drawings, sketches, and sample layouts to calculate total construction cost using labor, material, and equipment pricing schedules in concert with historical data.
• Reviews contractual documents and contract modifications to determine scope of work and scope changes.
• Accumulates, evaluates, and documents historical cost data and construction means and methods to maintain current estimating standards and databases.
• Prepares takeoffs on complex projects, drawings, and plans with project management and checks for mathematical and technical accuracy. Assigns material costs and staffing costs to the takeoffs.
• Supports the preparation of procurement documents related to Estimating Specifications.

Daily responsibilities include:

• Prepares reviews of engineers estimates for complex civil contracts,
• Compiles independent quantity take-offs on major projects for quality check purposes,
• Prepares independent change order estimates for construction contracts
• Updates cost forecasts for upcoming work,
• Analyzes bid tabulations,
• Updates price database, and
• Produces economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses

Requirements include:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related degree and 6 years relevant experience, or
• In lieu of education, 10 years relevant experience with the development of cost estimates

Preferred qualifications and skills include:

• AACE's CEP (Certified Estimating Professional) or equivalent designation
• Experience developing cost estimates and quantity takeoffs in heavy highway construction
• Experience estimating and bidding projects with a general contractor or subcontractor on heavy civil projects
• Familiarity with basic design requirements for roads and bridges
• Experience preparing cost estimates using a variety of Estimating tools, including Excel spreadsheets, Sage Timberline, HCSS HeavyBid, and/or other estimating software

Compensation: $105,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At Orion Engineers, we bring precision, innovation, and dedication to every project we deliver. As a veteran-owned firm, we combine technical excellence with a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration—building infrastructure that strengthens communities and supports growth. From buildings to transportation systems to utility networks, our team partners with clients to deliver practical, reliable, and forward-looking solutions that exceed expectations.

Orion strives for continued excellence as a first in class engineering consulting firm providing solutions for our clients and community (in the infrastructure industry). Together we create trusted partnerships internally and externally by adhering to our core values and working tirelessly towards enduring value for our clients, partners, and society at large.

Orion Engineers, PLLC was founded to make a difference to our employees, to our clients, and our fellow military veterans who bravely served our country. Our team of dynamic and diverse professionals drive transformative engineering solutions that are responsive, proactive, and cost effective for our community.

Our fast-growing company offers tremendous opportunities for professionals looking to join a team of specialists that excel in their field. With some of the best benefits in the industry, you will collaborate on major projects with a team of professionals that are passionate about construction and that care about your success. Let's build something together!

We offer a quick pace and dynamic projects that keep your skills sharp. Your work will span multiple industries and regions throughout the Midwest.

We are a competitive bunch when it comes to continuous improvement. But when it comes to our clients, we work as a team to ensure their objectives are met.

Our staff members are the most important assets we offer our clients, and we hire the best. For that reason, we strive to make Orion Engineers a place where people want to be.