Principal Project Controls Estimator

Location: Charlotte, NC
Employment Type: Contract
Work Arrangement: Full-Time, Onsite (5 Days Per Week)

Position Overview

We are seeking a Principal Project Controls Estimator to support large-scale nuclear capital projects with a focus on AP1000 new build and nuclear construction programs. This role serves as a senior-level estimating and project controls subject matter expert responsible for developing, reviewing, validating, and analyzing complex cost estimates across engineering, procurement, and construction activities.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience supporting nuclear projects, advanced estimating capabilities, and a deep understanding of project controls methodologies, cost forecasting, risk analysis, and schedule integration. This position requires direct experience with AP1000 projects, including Nuclear Island, Turbine Island, and Balance of Plant (BOP) estimating activities.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Project Controls

• Develop and prepare detailed cost estimates for nuclear engineering, procurement, and construction projects
• Produce conceptual, preliminary, and definitive estimates utilizing both bottoms-up and parametric estimating methodologies
• Review, validate, and analyze quantity takeoffs, labor productivity assumptions, indirect costs, escalation factors, and contingency development
• Support estimate benchmarking, normalization, and historical cost analysis
• Develop average unit costs and estimating databases to improve forecasting accuracy
• Perform cost analysis, variance analysis, trending, forecasting, and budget development activities
• Support cost alignment with project schedules and project controls reporting requirements
• Assist with change management, cost control, and project performance evaluations

Nuclear Project Estimating

• Prepare and review estimates for AP1000 Nuclear Island, Turbine Island, and Balance of Plant (BOP) scopes
• Support estimating activities throughout all project phases from conceptual development through execution
• Evaluate engineering deliverables, procurement packages, construction plans, and contractor estimates
• Analyze labor productivity, craft staffing, equipment utilization, and construction sequencing impacts on project costs
• Incorporate nuclear safety, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements into estimate development
• Support estimate reviews for major capital projects within highly regulated environments

Risk Analysis & Reporting

• Perform estimate risk assessments and contingency analysis
• Support Monte Carlo simulations and quantitative risk analysis activities
• Develop and present estimate packages, management reports, and executive-level presentations
• Participate in estimate review sessions, challenge meetings, and project controls workshops
• Communicate project cost trends, risks, forecasts, and recommendations to project leadership

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to Cost Analysts, Estimators, and Project Controls Specialists
• Lead complex estimating assignments with minimal supervision
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, procurement, project controls, and project management teams
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for estimating methodologies, tools, and best practices
• Assist with strategic planning, portfolio reporting, and project controls governance activities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field
• Minimum 9 years of project controls, estimating, or cost engineering experience
• Minimum 11 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• Direct experience supporting nuclear construction or nuclear facility projects
• Demonstrated AP1000 estimating experience, including Nuclear Island, Turbine Island, and Balance of Plant (BOP) scopes
• Experience estimating EPC or EPCM project environments
• Strong understanding of project controls principles, forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and schedule integration
• Proficiency with InEight estimating software and advanced Excel modeling
• Experience with quantity takeoffs, benchmarking, cost normalization, escalation development, and contingency analysis
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead complex assignments and work independently
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, or related discipline
• Experience supporting utility, power generation, or large capital infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with NRC, DOE, and other nuclear regulatory frameworks
• Experience working in highly regulated or safety-critical environments
• PMP, CAPM, PMI-SP, AACE-CCC, AACE-PSP, AACE-CEP, AACE-EVP, or similar certifications
• Experience with Primavera P6, MS Project, and enterprise project controls platforms
• Experience with Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Visio, Access, Powerplant, Maximo, EAM, and PeopleSoft
• Experience utilizing Monte Carlo analysis and quantitative risk management tools
• Prior utility or power generation project experience

Technical Skills

• Expert-level Excel capabilities
• Advanced estimating and cost modeling expertise
• Cost forecasting and variance analysis
• Risk and contingency development
• Quantity takeoffs and cost benchmarking
• Schedule and cost integration
• Project controls analytics and reporting
• Nuclear EPC/EPCM estimating methodologies