Lead Estimator

Role Description

The Lead Estimator – High Voltage/BESS prepares cost estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned substations, and battery storage projects with a complete understanding of the interrelationship of the cost of labor, material, equipment, and productivity in the unit costs used in all scopes of the project estimate. Manages accurate, cost competitive and timely preparation of estimates for the Company’s renewable energy business, incorporating extensive knowledge of construction means and methods, costs, and industry principles.

• Project scope responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Procurement and installation of temporary construction facilities
• Project and field management
• Structural steel, HV bus and fittings, PTs and CTs
• Arrestors, circuit breakers and switches
• Concrete/pile/screw foundations
• Auxiliary AC equipment and power wiring
• Cable conveyance systems, static masts and grounding system
• SCADA/communication cabling, fencing, pull boxes
• Transformers, control buildings, engineering services
• Testing, taxes, contingency, warranties, margin

This role will be remote.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related area of study; OR High School with at least 2 years equivalent industry experience.
• 7 years or more Estimating substation or high voltage systems required.
• 2 years or more leading a team of estimators for specific project pursuit estimates or other supervisory experience preferred.
• 2 years or more estimating battery storage systems preferred.
• 1 year or more field-based construction experience required.
• Ability to travel 5-15% required.
• Extensive experience with EPC and Balance of Plant (BOP) estimate structure for the creation of proposals for large utility and utility-grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
• Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs/scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
• Thorough understanding of tasks and processes associated with constructing utility-grade renewable energy projects.
• Experience working with BESS DC and AC coupled systems and constructing the transmission line is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of design-build construction methods.
• Ability to complete quantity take-offs from construction plans.
• Ability to compile indicative budgets in the absence of engineered documents.
• Experience with estimating software; experience with HCSS HeavyBid is beneficial.
• Experience with Blue Beam/Adobe for purposes of quantity take-off is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, OneNote, Teams), and SharePoint.
• Ability to evaluate site conditions from plans, geotechnical reports, and site visits.
• Advanced skills in client and subcontractor interface and negotiation.
• Advanced communication skills.
• Strong detail orientation and analytical thinking skills.
• Desire to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with standard construction industry concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to drive innovation of new processes while supporting corporate standards for quality.
• Comfortable operating in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple assignments, and prioritize as required.
• Functional competencies include accountability, attention to detail, managing vision & purpose, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Leads and handles multiple complex project estimate assignments concurrently under minimal supervision.
• Reviews and understands the content of all Requests for Proposals (RFP) documents.
• Leads a team of contributing estimators for respective SOWs.
• Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager for engineering support services.
• Receives, prioritizes, and distributes quote requests to vendors and subcontractors.
• Completes take-offs to calculate estimate quantities and units of work for substation EPC self-perform substation construction scopes of work up to 500kV electrical systems.
• Quantifies resources and production rates for utility grade substations.
• Gathers details and maintains current market data.
• Determines impacts to estimates based on local labor requirements and current commodity pricing.
• Identifies project risks and records in Risk Register.
• Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager to align estimated resources and duration.
• Reviews all estimate entries for accuracy.
• Attends work regularly and punctually, as scheduled or expected.
• Complies with Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Company Policies & Procedures.
• Recognizes and recommends alternative designs and scope definitions.
• Provides indicative budgets per client requests before RFP issuance.
• Creates project estimate-related bid proposal documents.
• Presents project scope, identifying risks and cost estimates for Operations and Executive reviews.
• Collaborates with Proposal Strategist and Preconstruction Manager to assemble final RFP response.
• Assists in compiling historical cost data for projects.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 4x pay Basic Life and Voluntary Life
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Accident, Hospital, and Critical Illness
• 401 (k) plan with 6% company match
• 4 weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) and 10 Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement and Green Car Reimbursement
• Volunteer and Charity Matching
• Paid Parental Leave and Paid Sabbatical Leave
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Employee Discounts and Wellness programs
• Wellness Reimbursement