Senior Project Estimator

NiSource • Columbus, OH

2d • $113,500 - $170,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

Leads development of Class 5–Class 1 cost estimates for gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines, facilities, regulator stations, and related assets. Establishes and maintains estimating standards, tools, benchmarks, and methodologies for major gas projects to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational processes. Partners with Engineering and Gas Operations to translate project scope (pipe diameter, materials, station design, HDD/boring, restoration, etc.) into quantifiable cost drivers. Integrates risk‑based estimating practices, including contingency, escalation, and probabilistic analysis, reflecting gas‑specific construction risks (ROW constraints, permitting, constructability, subsurface conditions). Supports project gating and capital planning by providing validated estimates, cost ranges, and confidence levels aligned with funding decisions. Coordinates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Construction to validate labor productivity, material pricing, contractor rates, and installation assumptions. Performs estimate reconciliation and benchmarking against historical gas project data to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities. Develops and maintains gas‑specific cost models, unit rates, and parametric tools for early‑stage screening and portfolio prioritization. Supports procurement by preparing Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and participating in bid evaluations to ensure competitive pricing. Partners with Project Managers to transition estimates into executable project budgets, ensuring alignment with construction strategies and assumptions. Applies cost‑control principles to support variance analysis, change management, and forecasting for gas capital projects. Communicates estimate basis, assumptions, risks, and confidence levels clearly to stakeholders, including leadership and governance bodies. Ensures all estimating activities reflect gas safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including constructability and compliance considerations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent experience (minimum 10 years).
• 7–10 years of experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, or project controls within gas utilities or similar infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi‑discipline estimates for gas capital projects (pipelines, facilities, stations).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and estimating tools, including large, complex models and datasets.
• Hands‑on ability to build, manipulate, and validate detailed cost models, including formulas, data structuring, and scenario analysis.
• Ability to operate at the intersection of financial modeling and construction estimating, translating field‑driven scope into structured outputs.
• Working knowledge of CBS, WBS, and gas project estimating classifications.
• Experience applying risk‑adjusted estimating and contingency methodologies.
• Ability to develop defensible estimates under tight timelines, with clear documentation.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate assumptions, risks, and outputs to senior leadership.
• Comfortable presenting in formal review settings and defending estimate positions.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex estimating concepts for non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to work under stringent deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits.
• Valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in regulated gas utility environments and large‑scale capital programs.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, AACEI, or PMP.
• Experience supporting capital planning, portfolio prioritization, or regulatory filings for gas projects.
• Working knowledge of PHMSA regulations, state utility requirements, permitting, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Leads development of Class 5–Class 1 cost estimates for gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines, facilities, regulator stations, and related assets.
• Establishes and maintains estimating standards, tools, benchmarks, and methodologies for major gas projects to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational processes.
• Partners with Engineering and Gas Operations to translate project scope (pipe diameter, materials, station design, HDD/boring, restoration, etc.) into quantifiable cost drivers.
• Integrates risk‑based estimating practices, including contingency, escalation, and probabilistic analysis, reflecting gas‑specific construction risks (ROW constraints, permitting, constructability, subsurface conditions).
• Supports project gating and capital planning by providing validated estimates, cost ranges, and confidence levels aligned with funding decisions.
• Coordinates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Construction to validate labor productivity, material pricing, contractor rates, and installation assumptions.
• Performs estimate reconciliation and benchmarking against historical gas project data to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.
• Develops and maintains gas‑specific cost models, unit rates, and parametric tools for early‑stage screening and portfolio prioritization.
• Supports procurement by preparing Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and participating in bid evaluations to ensure competitive pricing.
• Partners with Project Managers to transition estimates into executable project budgets, ensuring alignment with construction strategies and assumptions.
• Applies cost‑control principles to support variance analysis, change management, and forecasting for gas capital projects.
• Communicates estimate basis, assumptions, risks, and confidence levels clearly to stakeholders, including leadership and governance bodies.
• Ensures all estimating activities reflect gas safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including constructability and compliance considerations.

Benefits

• The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

What This Job Offers

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