Engineering & Estimation Lead

Buffalo Builders LLC•Springdale, AR

About The Position

The Engineering & Estimation Lead leads and supports front-end loading (FEL), front-end engineering design (FEED), and cost estimation for capital projects in the refining, petrochemical, energy, and power generation sectors. The position works with clients, external engineering firms, vendors, and internal project teams to define project scope, establish technical requirements, develop credible cost estimates, and support investment and project-sanctioning decisions. The role coordinates multidisciplinary design work to promote technical accuracy, constructability, alignment with client expectations, and effective transition to project management. The role includes office-based coordination and technical work, client and design-review meetings, and site visits as project needs require. Specific travel frequency, physical demands, and any site-related requirements should be confirmed by the hiring manager before final approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Approximately 5–15 years of design experience in refining, petrochemical, energy, or power generation.
Demonstrated experience on multidisciplinary engineering design teams.
Technical expertise in process and mechanical design, including project scope development and FEL/FEED estimating.
Working knowledge of applicable industry standards and codes, including API and ASME.
Proficiency with relevant process simulation software, such as Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, or CHEMCARD; estimating tools, such as Aspen Capital Cost Estimator or Bluebeam; and project management software.

Responsibilities

Lead or support process and mechanical design packages, basis-of-design documentation, and scope definitions through FEL/FEED stages.
Review PFDs, P&IDs, equipment lists, specifications, and related technical documents to clarify project requirements.
Perform or oversee equipment sizing, process calculations, and mechanical design reviews as appropriate.
Develop, review, and communicate conceptual and detailed cost estimates aligned with FEL/FEED milestones.
Document estimate assumptions, engineering calculations, scope boundaries, and supporting information.
Maintain and apply historical project cost and design data to improve estimating consistency and accuracy.
Coordinate across process, mechanical, civil/structural, electrical, instrumentation, and other disciplines to support integrated, constructible designs.
Partner with clients and outside engineering firms to align technical scope, schedules, and cost expectations.
Identify technical, schedule, and cost risks; contribute to mitigation planning, value engineering, and constructability reviews.
Prepare and present scope, estimate, and technical-basis packages for internal and external stakeholders.
Participate in client meetings, design reviews, and site visits as required.
Provide complete, organized project definition and estimating information to project managers at handoff.
Manage multiple project scopes, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
Demonstrate ownership and initiative by independently identifying gaps, advancing decisions, and following through on commitments.
Apply technical judgment that balances engineering rigor, constructability, project risk, and cost implications.
Build productive working relationships with clients, external design partners, vendors, and internal teams.
Explain technical issues, assumptions, and recommendations clearly to varied audiences.
Prioritize competing deadlines and maintain dependable, accurate documentation.
Use lessons learned and historical data to strengthen future work.
Meet performance expectations for the quality and timeliness of project definition and estimate deliverables, clear and traceable assumptions and documentation, risk identification and communication, cross-functional coordination and client communication, project handoff readiness, and improvement of estimating and design processes.
Confirm specific project goals and measures with the Sector General Manager.