Cost Estimator

Leidos

3d•$82,550 - $149,225•Remote

About The Position

Leidos Engineering is seeking a Cost Estimator to join their Strategic Program Consulting team. This team provides program and project solutions support for electric utility customers across the US within Leidos' Power Delivery Solutions division. This role is pending a contract win and offers remote working capabilities, with a preference for candidates in the Northeastern US due to proximity to customer facilities, though well-qualified candidates elsewhere in the US will be considered. Project Estimating is crucial for shaping short and long-term capital budgets for electric utilities. The estimator will collaborate with Engineering, Project Management, and Construction to develop detailed, defensible estimates using nationally recognized techniques. The role involves preparing accurate and timely construction estimates for large-scale and complex electric utility Transmission and Substation projects, encompassing scoping, materials, engineering, permitting, environmental compliance, construction, labor, equipment, and right-of-way. The estimator will be part of a project-specific estimating team, working with a PM, construction resources, and a project scheduler, while Engineering provides design and costs, and Construction offers feedback and construction costs. The estimator will integrate all this information to create the project estimate. They will also be part of a larger estimating group responsible for creating and maintaining estimating tools, including costs, resources, and materials.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management or closely related field + 3 years of relevant estimating experience, OR Associate Degree with 5+ years of relevant work experience in lieu of a degree; 10+ years of relevant work experience and training may be considered without an Associate's degree
Proficient MS Office computer skills (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
Proven interpersonal and written communication skills/ability to work and interact with engineers and operations during all phases of projects.
Knowledge of planning, design, procurement, and construction process.
Able to work and interact with various team members during all phases of projects.
Must have a valid driver's license with safe driving history.

Nice To Haves

Utility Project Management, Engineering, Risk Management and/or utility Estimating experience.
Professional Estimator Certification in AACE International, ICEAA, or ASPE.
5+ years of estimating or relevant work experience.
Knowledge of construction means and methods, costs and engineering principles.
Experience managing the unit cost libraries of professional estimating software programs.
Knowledge of InEight or other estimating software applications.
Significant portfolio of completed engineering and/or construction estimates with documented success in actual results achieved.
Experience working on Electric Utility projects.

Responsibilities

Create, test and maintain assemblies and models in InEight Construction Estimating Software.
Prepare accurate and timely construction estimates based on engineering designs, drawings, site visits, contractual agreements, materials, permitting, environmental, construction labor, schedules, and equipment.
Incorporate solid understanding of the utility industry into complex estimates.
Analyze key themes and trends to ensure all factors are properly considered, priced and included in the project estimate.
Determine understanding of risk associated with large capital projects and the application of contingency. This would include application and development of risk registers, Quantitative Risk Assessments, and/or Monte Carlo Simulations.
Revise and update the estimating system software database to support storage and retrieval of estimating information and enhance efficiency and operability of the system.
Monitor year-on-year accuracy of estimated costs and challenge business processes in order to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and deliver projects on budget.
Perform planned versus actual evaluations upon project completions for costs and schedule.
Document findings and develop improvement plans based on the analysis.
Work independently to manage schedule and workload in order to meet need dates.