Senior Cost Estimator - Substation & Transmission

Sargent & Lundy•Remote,

5d•$100,019 - $152,807

About The Position

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to perform cost estimating and related project engineering, scheduling, and project controls activities for transmission line and substation projects. The role develops estimates from conceptual design through construction, coordinating with project teams, engineering, and vendors to establish scope, quantities, pricing, and schedules. The estimator also supports project management and controls, including earned value analysis and reconciliation of estimates with budgets, bids, and actual costs. The role may involve approximately 10–25% domestic travel. The company does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position. Employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools as relevant to their work and are expected to exercise professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Sargent & Lundy offers healthcare plans, paid time off, and other benefits. Eligible positions include a base salary or hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package; employees may also be eligible for a yearly discretionary bonus. The compensation range is $100,019–$152,807.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in utility, construction, engineering, or other relevant work.
Understanding of estimating functions from the conceptual design phase through the construction phase of a project.
Experience with engineering or construction oversight.
Skill with Excel and building moderately complex spreadsheets.
Related engineering work experience that includes project controls, project planning, project scheduling, and earned value performance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
High school diploma or GED.
Comfort with approximately 10–25% domestic travel.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or a similar field.
Related engineering internship, co-op, or work experience involving project controls, project planning, project scheduling, and earned value performance, preferably in the power industry.
Familiarity with Primavera P6.
PMP certification.
Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies relevant to the role; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare detailed capital cost estimates using company tools, databases, and historical data.
Perform material quantity take-offs and labor pricing, and work with vendors to obtain material and equipment costs for rough-order-of-magnitude, conceptual, construction, and fair-cost estimates.
Apply appropriate markups and productivity factors.
Coordinate information flow and schedules with project team members to complete estimates on time.
Organize and enter cost and quantity information into existing databases.
Prepare cash flow, escalation, and interest calculations for estimates.
Develop estimate basis documents.
Coordinate with engineering to obtain and validate quantities, scope definitions, drawings, and equipment lists.
Author and lead development of engineering equipment lists, studies, and reports.
Implement project controls and project management tools and methodologies.
Perform CPI/SPI calculations using earned value principles.
Assist project teams in reconciling estimates against budgets, bids, and actual costs, and provide variance explanations.