Principal Construction Cost Estimator

Parsons Corporation•USA AL (Virtual Office), AL

1d•$112,200 - $196,400•Remote

About The Position

Parsons is seeking a Principal Construction Cost Estimator to support its Federal Solutions team. The position is remote and may require occasional travel to project sites nationwide. The role leads the development and quality control of conceptual, parametric, order-of-magnitude, and detailed cost estimates for complex federal construction programs and projects. It includes analyzing technical and contract documentation, developing estimate structures and cost assumptions, researching and maintaining cost data, and coordinating with engineering, procurement, scheduling, project controls, construction teams, clients, and project leadership. The Principal Estimator also supports federal clients with Independent Government Estimates and contractor proposal reviews, leads and mentors estimating staff, and communicates estimate methods, results, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and recommendations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, able to pass required federal background checks, and hold a valid driver’s license. No security clearance is required.

Requirements

10 or more years of progressive construction cost estimating experience, including significant experience supporting complex federal construction programs.
Experience reviewing designs and developing cost estimates for federal facilities and related infrastructure, including vertical construction, industrial facilities, marine infrastructure, utilities, and other complex assets.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent construction-related experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex estimating assignments, review others’ estimates, and provide technical direction to estimating teams.
Thorough knowledge of construction processes, cost-estimating methods, industry practices, labor and material pricing, equipment rates, productivity factors, and unit-cost development.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, scopes of work, contract documents, and other technical information.
Experience with construction cost-estimating software or databases such as MCACES, PACES, RSMeans, CostWorks, Timberline, Success Estimator, or comparable platforms.
Experience using Bluebeam Revu or comparable quantity-takeoff and document-review software.
Experience preparing estimate narratives, cost summaries, pricing analyses, and supporting documentation.
Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and client-presentation skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to pass required federal background checks.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Ability to travel occasionally to project sites nationwide.

Nice To Haves

Broad experience developing and reviewing estimates for federal facilities and infrastructure, including barracks, classroom and training facilities, marine docks, ship repair or dry dock facilities, administrative buildings, data centers, utilities, and related infrastructure.
Experience supporting federal agencies or clients such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, or other federal organizations.
Experience preparing and reviewing Independent Government Estimates.
Experience preparing, validating, and maintaining material takeoffs across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation and controls, HVAC, fire protection, telecommunications, and utilities disciplines.
Proficiency in preparing or supporting material requisitions, requests for quotation, and purchase order documentation.
Ability to coordinate with engineering and procurement teams to verify specifications, technical documentation, material codes, quantities, and required delivery dates.
Experience aligning procurement activities and requisition timelines with project schedules, fabrication requirements, and construction priorities.
Professional certification such as AACE Certified Cost Professional, Certified Construction Manager, Project Management Professional, or an equivalent credential.
Professional registration, such as Professional Engineer, preferred.
Experience developing historical cost databases, cost models, and estimating standards.
Experience leading multidisciplinary estimating teams and mentoring junior estimating staff.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

Lead conceptual, parametric, order-of-magnitude, and detailed construction cost estimates for complex federal programs and projects.
Analyze designs, drawings, proposals, scopes of work, specifications, and contract documents to develop cost projections and estimates.
Develop and maintain work breakdown structures, estimate classifications, construction logic, and activity definitions.
Prepare and summarize estimates covering labor, materials, equipment, productivity, efficiency, escalation, and other cost factors.
Support federal clients in developing Independent Government Estimates and reviewing contractor proposals, requests for information, and other cost-related submissions.
Use estimating software and tools for calculations, bid-item development, resource reporting, and work-activity definition.
Develop scopes of work and supporting documentation to obtain quotations from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
Research, validate, and maintain historical cost data from completed projects and contract services.
Coordinate with engineering, procurement, scheduling, project controls, and construction teams to validate quantities, specifications, pricing, assumptions, and estimate requirements.
Develop basis-of-estimate narratives documenting methodology, scope, pricing sources, escalation, assumptions, exclusions, and other estimate characteristics.
Lead estimating teams and provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Estimators and Associate Estimators.
Review estimates prepared by internal staff, subcontractors, and service providers for completeness, accuracy, clarity, quality, technical development, and compliance.
Prepare client presentations and communicate estimate results, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and recommendations to clients and project leadership.
Coordinate estimating resources across offices and with new hires and specialty subcontractors to support project teams.
Deliver quality-controlled estimates for assigned projects and programs.
Perform other responsibilities associated with the position as appropriate.