Cost Estimator

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Job Description:

Parsons is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator to support federal civil works, infrastructure, facility, and Design-Build projects across the United States. The Cost Estimator will provide independent cost estimating, pricing analysis, proposal reviews, and negotiation support for high-visibility federal construction programs. The position may support Program Management, Site Assessment/Development, and Construction Management teams.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop Independent Cost Estimates, budget analyses, Rough Order of Magnitude estimates, and parametric estimates for federal facilities, infrastructure, utilities, and civil works projects.

• Review designs, drawings, specifications, proposals, scopes of work, schedules, site conditions, and contract documents to develop comprehensive cost estimates.

• Prepare quantity takeoffs, work breakdown structures, construction logic, labor and material rates, equipment costs, productivity factors, subcontractor pricing, and contractor markups.

• Develop and document the Basis of Estimate, including methodology, assumptions, exclusions, escalation, scope, pricing sources, and risk factors.

• Perform rapid cost reviews of Design-Builder proposals, lump-sum bids, contract modifications, RFIs, field changes, and other pricing requests.

• Deliver quick-turnaround cost reviews to the Government within three business days when required.

• Prepare cost reviews on NAVFAC Form 4330 with detailed breakdowns of labor, materials, equipment, and contractor markups.

• Develop Pre-Negotiation Positions and supporting technical analyses identifying differences between contractor proposals and independent cost reviews.

• Analyze extended general conditions and other Division 1 costs associated with schedule extensions or project changes.

• Evaluate whether proposed costs are fair, reasonable, complete, and consistent with contract requirements, historical local rates, market conditions, and available pricing data.

• Provide cost and pricing support to Government negotiation teams, including independent analysis, market research, pricing justification, and negotiation recommendations.

• Support site assessment teams by identifying cost drivers such as earthwork, utility tie-ins, access requirements, environmental constraints, logistics, and other site conditions.

• Develop and maintain historical cost databases to support future estimates and program-level financial analysis.

• Review estimates prepared by contractors, consultants, and other service providers for completeness, accuracy, technical quality, and compliance with applicable procedures.

• Support cost and schedule risk analysis and identify financial impacts associated with design changes, differing site conditions, delays, and constructability issues.

• Use industry-standard estimating software and tools to perform quantity takeoffs, estimate calculations, resource reports, bid-item development, and cost analyses.

• Obtain and evaluate subcontractor, vendor, and supplier quotations and confirm that pricing is consistent with the defined scope and specifications.

• Prepare cost summaries, briefings, presentations, reports, and recommendations for Government and program leadership.

• Review work performed by other estimators for quality, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contract requirements.

• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Estimators and Associate Estimators.

• Support multiple concurrent task orders and projects across geographically dispersed locations.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Active Secret security clearance

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related field, or equivalent construction-related experience.

• 10+ years of cost-estimating experience , including support for major federal construction or infrastructure programs.

• Experience developing estimates for federal facilities, infrastructure, utilities, civil works, and Design-Build projects.

• Experience reviewing construction proposals, designs, specifications, drawings, scopes of work, contract modifications, RFIs, and field changes.

• Experience preparing detailed cost estimates, quantity takeoffs, labor and material analyses, equipment costs, contractor markups, and Basis of Estimate narratives.

• Experience with Independent Cost Estimates, Rough Order of Magnitude estimates, parametric estimates, historical cost analysis, and market research.

• Experience evaluating cost proposals for fairness, reasonableness, completeness, and compliance with contract requirements.

• Experience preparing or reviewing NAVFAC Form 4330 cost analyses and Pre-Negotiation Positions.

• Working knowledge of construction means and methods, pricing structures, productivity, subcontractor pricing, escalation, and general conditions.

• Experience using cost-estimating software and resources such as RSMeans, MCACES, MII, PACES, Success Estimator, CostWorks, Timberline, Bluebeam Revu, or comparable tools.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to prepare clear cost reports, technical narratives, spreadsheets, and presentations.

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation-support skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet accelerated deliverable deadlines, and work effectively with Government and contractor personnel.

• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to pass required federal background checks.

• Valid driver’s license required.

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Experience supporting Department of Defense, USACE, NAVFAC, or other federal construction programs.

• Experience estimating complex facilities and infrastructure, including administrative buildings, training facilities, barracks, data centers, utilities, marine facilities, docks, dry docks, and other specialized facilities.

• Experience with design-build, fast-track, and milestone-based construction programs.

• Experience analyzing extended general conditions and schedule-related cost impacts.

• Experience supporting construction negotiations and developing detailed pricing positions.

• Experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or other scheduling tools for cost and schedule integration.

• Experience with BIM and model-based estimating platforms, including Autodesk Revit.

• Experience with project management information systems such as Procore, Kahua, USACE RMS, NAVFAC eCMS, or comparable platforms.

• Professional Engineer registration.

• Certified Cost Professional certification through AACE or equivalent.

• Certified Construction Manager or PMP certification.

• Experience leading estimating teams, reviewing subordinate work, and providing technical training.

• Experience developing program-level budget analyses, financial trend reports, and cost-management processes.

• Excellent written and oral presentation skills and experience working directly with federal clients.

Additional Position Expectations

• Travel may be required for site assessments, project reviews, negotiations, inspections, and client meetings.

• The position may involve access to secure Government facilities and procurement-sensitive information, including Controlled Unclassified Information.

• Employees must comply with applicable security, cybersecurity, confidentiality, safety, quality, and information-safeguarding requirements.

• Contractor personnel will provide independent technical analysis, cost recommendations, and negotiation support but will not perform inherently governmental functions or obligate Government funds.

Security Clearance Requirement:

An active Secret security clearance is required for this position.​

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range: $112,200.00 - $196,400.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

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

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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About Us

Parsons is a digitally enabled solutions provider focused on the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. With nearly 75 years of experience, Parsons is uniquely qualified to deliver cyber/converged security, technology-based intellectual property, and other innovative services to federal, regional, and local government agencies, as well as to private industrial customers worldwide.

Parsons is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/LGBTQ+.

For more about Parsons, visit parsons.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.