Lead Estimator - High Voltage & BESS

RES

5d•$142,000 - $178,000•Remote

About The Position

The Lead Estimator – High Voltage/BESS prepares cost estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned substations, and battery storage projects with a complete understanding of the interrelationship of the cost of labor, material, equipment, and productivity in the unit costs used in all scopes of the project estimate. Manages accurate, cost competitive and timely preparation of estimates for the Company’s renewable energy business, incorporating extensive knowledge of construction means and methods, costs, and industry principles. Project scope responsibilities include, but are not limited to, for substation, transmission and battery storage projects the procurement and installation of temporary construction facilities, project and field management, structural steel, HV bus and fittings, PTs and CTs, arrestors, circuit breakers and switches, concrete/pile/screw foundations, auxiliary AC equipment, and power wiring, cable conveyance systems, static masts and grounding system, SCADA/communication cabling, fencing, pull boxes, transformers, control buildings, engineering services, testing, taxes, contingency, warranties, margin.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related area of study; OR High School with at least 2 years equivalent industry experience.
7 years or more Estimating substation or high voltage systems required.
2 years or more leading a team of estimators for specific project pursuit estimates or other supervisory experience preferred.
2 years or more estimating battery storage systems preferred.
1 year or more field-based construction experience required.
Ability to travel 5-15% required.
Extensive experience with EPC and Balance of Plant (BOP) estimate structure for the creation of proposals for large utility and utility-grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs/scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
Thorough understanding of tasks and processes associated with constructing utility-grade renewable energy projects. Experience working with BESS DC and AC coupled systems and constructing the transmission line is highly desirable.
Knowledge of design-build construction methods, with the ability to apply sound judgment and experience to develop production-based cost estimates and detailed resource budgets.
Ability to complete quantity take-offs from construction plans.
Ability to compile indicative budgets in the absence of engineered documents.
Experience with estimating software; experience with HCSS HeavyBid is beneficial.
Experience with Blue Beam/Adobe for purposes of quantity take-off is required.
Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, OneNote, Teams), and SharePoint.
Ability to evaluate site conditions from plans, geotechnical reports, and site visits to create cost estimates utilizing the best labor, equipment, and material resources for the most competitive and accurate proposal estimates. Ability to apply varying levels of detail for both indicative and hard bid proposals.
Advanced skills in client and subcontractor interface and negotiation.
Advanced communication skills with the ability to clearly describe the advantages and disadvantages of various design options.
Strong detail orientation and analytical thinking skills.
Desire to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
Ability to work independently and complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Familiarity with standard construction industry concepts, practices, and procedures.
Ability to drive innovation of new processes while supporting corporate standards for quality.
Comfortable operating in a highly collaborative team environment working with third-party customers, developers, design engineers, construction estimators, pre-construction managers, construction managers, and executive managers regularly.
Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple assignments, and prioritize as required.
Functional competencies include accountability, attention to detail, managing vision & purpose, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

2 years or more leading a team of estimators for specific project pursuit estimates or other supervisory experience preferred.
2 years or more estimating battery storage systems preferred.
Experience working with BESS DC and AC coupled systems and constructing the transmission line is highly desirable.
Experience with HCSS HeavyBid is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Leads and handles multiple complex project estimate assignments concurrently under minimal supervision, using standardized tools and processes to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely estimates of project cost and schedule.
Reviews and understands the content of all Requests for Proposals (RFP) documents to determine project scopes of work and required pricing elements for inclusion within the estimate.
Leads a team of contributing estimators for respective SOWs to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely estimates for Bid-Build and EPC (Engineer-Procure-Construct) construction RFPs.
Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager for engineering support services and deliverables as a basis of estimate.
Receives, prioritizes, and distributes quote requests to vendors and subcontractors; analyzes responses for accuracy, completeness, and efficacy per request and project schedule milestones.
Completes take-offs to calculate estimate quantities and units of work for substation EPC self-perform substation construction scopes of work up to 500kV electrical systems.
Quantifies resources and production rates for utility grade substations for power generation and distribution, BESS, solar, and wind energy self-perform construction cost estimation.
Gathers details and maintains current market data to accurately estimate construction, material, and soft costs associated with project construction.
Determines impacts to estimates based on local labor requirements, current commodity pricing, and client’s project specifications.
Identifies project risks and records in Risk Register.
Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager to align estimated resources and duration represented in the project estimate to achieve client-defined milestones identified within the project schedule.
Reviews all estimate entries for accuracy. Analyzes multi-discipline estimated costs related to client RFP information, design, and costs to complete the estimate.
Attends work regularly and punctually, as scheduled or expected.
Complies with Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Company Policies & Procedures.
Recognizes and recommends alternative designs and scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
Provides indicative budgets per client requests before RFP issuance.
Creates project estimate-related bid proposal documents to meet RFP submittal requirements, such as Statement of Value (SOV,) client-provided technical forms, and Assumptions Clarifications Exclusions (ACE) documents.
Presents project scope, identifying risks and cost estimates for Operations and Executive reviews.
Collaborates with Proposal Strategist and Preconstruction Manager to assemble final RFP response during the bidding process.
Assists in compiling historical cost data for projects.
Presents, supports, and leads-by-example with a safety and quality-oriented attitude.
Leads by example to show that safety is the most important function, ensuring that all employees follow safe practices while working.
Accountable to continually reinforce safe behaviors and correct “at risk” behaviors.
Adheres to and ensures all site team members understands standard operating procedures.
Leads and supports the site team in technical, quality and safety, utilizing system in place.
Follows safety and security procedures and determines appropriate action. Reports potentially unsafe conditions and uses materials and equipment properly.
Fosters and demonstrates a workplace inclusive of creating opportunity, serving others, building trust, innovation, and exceeding expectations.
Manages one or more direct reports.
Participates in hiring and selection process to fill positions on the team.
Communicates regularly with direct reports on goals, accomplishments, and information on policies.
Demonstrates leadership and expertise in eyes of client group.
Provides tasks and assignments that challenge and stretch employees’ responsibilities.
Conducts regular discussions with employee(s) on personal development. Comfortable with empowering others.
Conducts timely, effective performance reviews in accordance with RES guidelines.