Senior Estimator - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•San Francisco, CA

5d•$140,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our growing Data Center team in support of a major hyperscale data center construction program for a global technology client with projects ranging across lease, new build, and mega campus developments. The position offers a flexible hybrid schedule, allowing for remote work with some in-office and/or onsite collaboration expected depending on project needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
5–10 years of relevant experience in construction cost management, estimating, or preconstruction roles.
Proven experience delivering conceptual and detailed estimates for large-scale construction projects.
Strong background in value engineering, cost analysis, and benchmarking.
Familiarity with industry-standard estimating tools such as Bluebeam, CostX, RSMeans, or similar platforms.
Solid understanding of construction methods, materials, and market pricing trends.
Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
Experience collaborating with design, procurement, and construction teams to align scope, cost, and schedule.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to clients and senior stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on mission-critical or data center projects is highly desirable.
Knowledge of life cycle costing, total cost of ownership, and sustainability considerations in estimating is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and support preconstruction budget development, including pricing revisions through GMP.
Collaborate with the preconstruction team to develop and refine estimates for hyperscale data center projects.
Present estimates and cost plans to client stakeholders, ensuring clarity and alignment with project goals.
Develop and manage cost plans and estimates from concept through detailed design across multiple geographic regions.
Deliver and present updated cost plans at key design milestones to internal teams and client stakeholders.
Provide program-level estimates for specific scopes of work and support value engineering efforts.
Lead value engineering exercises to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising design intent or performance.
Review and analyze design changes, new technologies, and construction methods to assess cost impacts.
Collaborate with design, procurement, and construction teams to ensure alignment between scope, budget, and schedule.
Coordinate and manage estimating efforts with internal teams and external consultants/vendors.
Support junior estimating staff, providing guidance on best practices and tools.
Analyze historical cost data and contribute to the development of benchmarking and cost model trends.
Evaluate cost-effectiveness of alternative materials, systems, and construction methods.
Support training initiatives for internal and client-side estimating teams on tools, templates, and methodologies.
Assist in preparing executive-level presentations for the client’s preconstruction and estimating leadership.
Deliver life cycle cost models and support total cost of ownership analysis.
Participate in risk assessments and contingency planning related to cost and scope changes.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.