Senior Estimator

STV • Dallas, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

STV is seeking a Senior Estimator to join our Project Controls department at our Dallas, TX office. This position will play a critical role in supporting major transportation, aviation, infrastructure, transit, and capital improvement projects by developing, analyzing, and validating project cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle. The Senior Estimator will collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, designers, contractors, and clients to develop accurate and defensible cost estimates that support successful project delivery. The ideal candidate brings significant experience in construction cost estimating, cost planning, quantity take-offs, and project controls, along with a strong understanding of construction means and methods. This individual will serve as a key technical resource within STV's growing Project Controls practice and will help drive estimating excellence across complex programs and projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, project controls, or construction cost management.
• Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for transportation, aviation, transit, infrastructure, commercial, or major capital improvement programs.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, and cost modeling techniques.
• Experience performing detailed quantity take-offs from plans and specifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently on complex assignments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting large aviation, transportation, transit, or infrastructure programs.
• Familiarity with industry estimating platforms and project controls systems.
• Experience with design-build, CM/GC, progressive design-build, or alternative delivery methods.
• Knowledge of cost risk modeling and quantitative risk analysis.
• Professional certifications such as AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), PSP, CCT, or equivalent.
• Experience working with public agencies, airport authorities, DOTs, or large capital program owners.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed construction cost estimates.
• Prepare quantity take-offs, cost models, pricing analyses, and estimate documentation from drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Evaluate project scope and identify key cost drivers, risks, assumptions, and opportunities.
• Maintain detailed estimate backup documentation, supporting calculations, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Develop and maintain cost databases, benchmarking tools, historical cost models, and unit pricing libraries.
• Validate and reconcile estimates prepared by design consultants, contractors, and third parties.
• Partner with project controls teams, schedulers, cost engineers, and project managers to align estimates with project schedules and budgets.
• Support development of project budgets, cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and life-cycle cost analyses.
• Analyze escalation factors, productivity impacts, contingencies, and market trends affecting project costs.
• Support earned value management, forecasting, and performance reporting initiatives as needed.
• Perform cost risk assessments and support quantitative risk analysis efforts.
• Evaluate scope changes, change orders, and potential impacts to project costs and budgets.
• Prepare independent cost opinions and estimate reconciliation reports.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities and provide value engineering recommendations.
• Collaborate with clients, engineers, designers, contractors, and consultants throughout planning, design, procurement, and construction phases.
• Participate in design reviews, estimating workshops, cost reviews, and value engineering sessions.
• Present estimating methodologies, assumptions, findings, and recommendations to project teams and client stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and support during procurement and contractor negotiations.
• Mentor junior estimators and project controls professionals.
• Support development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Assist with business development pursuits by preparing conceptual estimates and cost strategies for proposals.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating and project controls functions.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
• Paid Holidays (9 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior