Senior Project Estimator

• Leads development of Class 5-Class 1 cost estimates for gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines, facilities, regulator stations, and related assets.

• Establishes and maintains estimating standards, tools, benchmarks, and methodologies for major gas projects to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational processes.

• Partners with Engineering and Gas Operations to translate project scope (pipe diameter, materials, station design, HDD/boring, restoration, etc.) into quantifiable cost drivers .

• Integrates risk-based estimating practices , including contingency, escalation, and probabilistic analysis, reflecting gas-specific construction risks (ROW constraints, permitting, constructability, subsurface conditions).

• Supports project gating and capital planning by providing validated estimates, cost ranges, and confidence levels aligned with funding decisions.

• Coordinates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Construction to validate labor productivity, material pricing , contractor rates, and installation assumptions.

• Performs estimate reconciliation and benchmarking against historical gas project data to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.

• Develops and maintains gas-specific cost models, unit rates, and parametric tools for early-stage screening and portfolio prioritization.

• Supports procurement by preparing Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and participating in bid evaluations to ensure competitive pricing.

• Partners with Project Managers to transition estimates into executable project budgets , ensuring alignment with construction strategies and assumptions.

• Applies cost-control principles to support variance analysis, change management, and forecasting for gas capital projects.

• Communicates estimate basis, assumptions, risks, and confidence levels clearly to stakeholders, including leadership and governance bodies.

• Ensures all estimating activities reflect gas safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements , including constructability and compliance considerations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent experience (minimum 10 years) .

• 7-10 years of experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, or project controls within gas utilities or similar infrastructure sectors.

• Demonstrated experience developing multi-discipline estimates for gas capital projects (pipelines, facilities, stations).

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and estimating tools, including large, complex models and datasets.

• Hands-on ability to build, manipulate, and validate detailed cost models , including formulas, data structuring, and scenario analysis.

• Ability to operate at the intersection of financial modeling and construction estimating , translating field-driven scope into structured outputs.

• Working knowledge of CBS, WBS , and gas project estimating classifications.

• Experience applying risk-adjusted estimating and contingency methodologies.

• Ability to develop defensible estimates under tight timelines , with clear documentation.

• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate assumptions, risks, and outputs to senior leadership.

• Comfortable presenting in formal review settings and defending estimate positions.

• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex estimating concepts for non-technical audiences.

• Ability to work under stringent deadlines and manage competing priorities.

• Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits.

• Valid motor vehicle operator's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in regulated gas utility environments and large-scale capital programs.

• Professional certifications such as CCP , AACEI , or PMP .

• Experience supporting capital planning, portfolio prioritization , or regulatory filings for gas projects.

• Working knowledge of PHMSA regulations , state utility requirements, permitting, and safety standards.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in field environments supporting gas construction and estimating validation activities.

• Must be able to work in areas of high noise, dust, extreme temperatures, confined spaces, and potential exposure to chemical hazards.

• Ability to walk project sites, including uneven terrain and active construction areas, as needed to validate estimating assumptions.

• Must be able to drive to and access multiple project locations.

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing analytical and computer-based estimating work.