Cost Estimator - Remote/Chicagoland

🌍 Remote, USA 🎯 Full-time 🕐 Posted Recently

Job Description

Lead cost forecasting and budgets for grid infrastructure projects
Major Utility Service Provider, remote/hybrid schedule

About Our Client

This position is with a global leader in the power and energy industry specializing in transmission, distribution, and substation projects across the US. The company values expertise and precision in delivering high-quality results for its clients and a collaborative work culture offering a direct path to senior leadership roles.

Job Description

Utilizing industry best practices, prepare bottoms up cost estimates for Substation, Transmission, Distribution and Gas projects. Perform field walk downs with Sr. Project Controls Estimators and Project Team to identify potential cost bearing issues at the project site which will impact the detailed estimate.

This is an individual contributor position that works under general supervision and frequently performs non-routine work. This position is expected to resolve most questions and problems through interaction with internal and/or external stakeholders and staff across the organization and refers more complex issues to Sr. Project Controls Estimator.
May require working extended hours and/or shift work to support business operations.

Support and contribute to the development of Phase 1, 2, and 3 project cost estimates in WBS format with all required assumptions that support development of current and LRP budgets. Prepare standard WBS estimates and assumptions with documentation of confidence factors ranging from study to construction phases of project.
Conduct modeling, forecasting, trending, variance analysis, and other estimate-related financial and implementation analysis. Track, maintain, analyze and provide current estimating information on scorecard or key performance indicators (KPIs). Prepare, update and maintain standard material and labor unit costs to support estimate creation and database updates.
Develop unit cost and parametric estimate range for standard scope of work. Continuously analyze and update parametric values reflecting current trends and costs.
Update estimates for each phase approval with current documentation and meeting information. Conduct estimate peer reviews prior to estimate issuance. Perform engineering drawing reviews, general analysis and prepare reports to support business operations.
Work with Project Managers to ensure that estimates are properly understood, challenged and reviewed. Prepare for and participate in estimate challenge meetings with all stakeholders (Planning, Engineering, Project Manager, Construction Manager, etc.) to ensure that all stakeholders have had an opportunity to provide critical feedback.
Prepare for and participate in contractor estimate (or bid) challenge meetings. Prepare side by side analysis of estimates upon request to provide lessons learned and to generate parametric values.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

Academic/Formal Training: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or Technical Field.
Job Related/Experience: 2-4 years related experience, or in lieu of Bachelor's degree, a minimum of 3-6 years relevant experience is required.

Ability to build a high level or detailed estimate from a Project Diagram, detailed design, or verbal Scope of Work.
Ability to effectively interface with all levels of management.
Ability to facilitate project meetings with all stakeholders in office or field environment to develop a project estimate.
Strong understanding of applicable standards, methods, processes and practices, business fundamentals, and performance metrics in the electric and gas, distribution, transmission, and substation areas.
Strong understanding of design drawings and detailed engineering and construction prints. The ability to calculate job requirements from design documents, including quantities, resource hours, duration, limitations, etc.
General proficiency in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project), specialized business technologies and applications (e.g., workforce management, project management, Asset Suite 8, Brio, CIS, EPS, Business Objects, SAP planning, business modeling, forecasting, work management, outage management) to retrieve and analyze data in support of business needs. Expert understanding and ability in Excel, good understanding of WinEst
Ability to provide detailed analysis and apply managerial accounting concepts, customer intelligence gathering, forecasting, staff planning, scheduling, analytical and statistical problem solving, financial, accounting, business and budget analysis.
Advanced analytical skills for project evaluation including analysis of projects with economic, financial, risk and decision analysis. Ability to quickly estimate several scenarios to determine least cost technical solution.
Customer driven with excellent oral and written communications skills and general analytical, problem solving and project management skills.

Competitive hourly pay between $55 and $85 USD.
Flexibility that works (majority remote): Choose a hybrid or remote schedule that fits your life and projects
Access to medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Opportunity to work in a key role within the energy and natural resources sector.
A temporary position offering hands-on experience with impactful projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated Project Manager T&D to make a meaningful impact. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply
Long-term contract opportunity with contract-to-hire intent after 6-12 months; based on performance and project needs.
Overtime paid at 1.5x, with strong potential for additional hours during peak project phases.
Opportunity to travel to project sites nationwide supporting major power delivery projects, with all travel expenses covered.
Work on high-impact transmission and substation infrastructure projects supporting grid modernization and reliability initiatives across the U.S.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits available.
Join a firm consistently recognized as a "Top Place to Work" for five consecutive years, known for its collaborative engineering culture and commitment to employee development.

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