Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)

ITC Holdings

$80K — $95K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Intermediate: 2 years, Senior: 6 years, Principal: 10 years of related experience.
  • Knowledge of electrical utilities cost estimating appropriate to the position level.
  • Understanding of construction project cash flow forecasting relevant to the position level.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop project cost estimates for complex transmission line and substation projects.
  • Lead estimate review discussions with stakeholders to identify costs and risks.
  • Analyze historical data and market trends to improve estimate accuracy.
  • Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior estimators.
  • Facilitate workshops with cross-functional teams on estimating methodologies.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional development and training.
  • Work with advanced estimating technologies and methodologies.
  • Engagement in industry working groups and benchmarking studies.
  • High level of responsibility with the potential for significant impact on capital projects.
  • Exposure to complex and high-value projects across various sectors.
Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Intermediate Project Cost Estimators

  • Independently develops project cost estimates for projects of moderate complexity; identifies cost risks, scope gaps, and estimating inconsistencies; and may lead estimate review discussions with project stakeholders.
  • Develops construction cost estimates for transmission line and substation projects through the evaluation of project plans, specifications, drawings, quantities, labor, equipment, and material costs.
  • Develops detailed project estimates based on ITC standards and site-specific facility drawings. 
  • Schedules and leads comprehensive estimate reviews with upper management, project managers, field personnel, and scoping parties to cover scope, review costs, subcontractors, and risk. 
  • Provides expert judgment of costs to support competitive bid projects.
  • Assists with the development and maintenance of estimating templates, tools, databases, and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
  • Provides pre-construction support and technical expertise to project management team as needed.
  • Reviews and evaluates subcontractor quotes for scope gap and process follow up requests. 
  • Interfaces and seeks clarification from internal groups such as supply chain, engineering and project management to proactively resolve any inconsistencies in cost estimating data.
  • Conducts field visits as required to assess site requirements and project conditions. 
  • Attends pre-and-post bid meetings as required and be able to effectively present information related to cost estimates.
  • Transfers completed estimates and applicable bid documents to the Project Management team in accordance with internal process requirements and established timelines.
  • Supports the development and maintenance of internal cost estimating metrics by providing accurate, timely, and relevant data to drive performance measurement, trend analysis, and informed decision-making.
  • Participates in Capital Committee meetings to aid project owners in the explanation and justification of project costs and variances.
  • Participates in meetings, training, and conferences to strengthen professional knowledge and skills.

Senior Project Cost Estimator

  • Create conceptual, preliminary, and detailed cost estimates for complex transmission, substation, and generation interconnection projects. 
  • Performs advanced estimate risk analysis, contingency modeling, and estimate validation to support project funding decisions. 
  • Develops and enhances estimating methodologies, standards, cost models, and benchmarking practices and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
  • Analyzes historical cost data, market trends, labor productivity factors, and escalation impacts to improve estimate accuracy. 
  • Serves as the estimating subject matter expert (SME) during project development and stage gate reviews. 
  • Independently resolves complex estimating issues involving scope uncertainty, constructability challenges, and competing project alternatives. 
  • Facilitates estimate review workshops and challenge sessions with engineering, project management, construction, permitting, real estate, and supply chain stakeholders. 
  • Provides technical oversight and quality assurance of estimates prepared by junior estimators. 
  • Prepares and presents estimate assumptions, risks, and recommendations to department leadership and project sponsors. 
  • Mentors and trains estimators on estimating methodologies, ITC processes, industry standards, and software tools. 
  • Supports process improvement initiatives that enhance estimating efficiency, consistency, and reporting capabilities.

 

Principal Project Cost Estimator

  • Leads estimating strategy for complex, high-value, or high-risk capital projects and programs. 
  • Establishes and enhances cost estimating processes, governance practices, and organizational capabilities within Project Controls.
  • Develops and/or assist in the development of enterprise-level estimating frameworks, benchmarking programs, and performance metrics. 
  • Leads the development of enterprise estimating frameworks, automation initiatives, data governance practices, and benchmarking programs and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
  • Leads cross-functional efforts to improve estimating maturity, data quality, forecasting capability, and cost management integration. 
  • Evaluates industry trends, market intelligence, labor conditions, material pricing, and emerging technologies to assess impacts on future project costs. 
  • Represents ITC in industry working groups, benchmarking studies, and professional estimating organizations. 
  • Leads independent estimate reviews and estimate audits for critical capital projects. 
  • Provides expert testimony, technical support, and negotiation assistance related to claims, change orders, contract disputes, and regulatory filings. 
  • Coaches and develops estimators across all levels while serving as a technical mentor for estimating leadership. 
  • Identifies strategic opportunities to improve estimate accuracy, reduce project risk, and optimize capital investment decisions across the project portfolio. 
  • Drives implementation and continuous improvement of estimating tools, systems, digital solutions, and data governance practices.

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field or relevant, equivalent experience and/or education.
  • Minimum Work Experience Required
    • Intermediate: Minimum of two (2) years of related experience
    • Senior: Minimum of six (6) years of related experience.
    • Principal: Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience. 
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of electrical utilities cost estimating depending on the level of the position. 
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of construction project cash flow forecasting depending on the level of the position. 
  • Demonstrates strong understanding of project management and project controls processes, including construction scheduling, cost estimating, and cash flow forecasting.
  • Possesses sound analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills.
  • Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals inside and outside of ITC.
  • Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
  • Works effectively with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
  • Possesses electrical and civil Engineering experience/knowledge preferred.
  • Possesses Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
  • Experience with Microsoft Power BI preferred.
  • Manages multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
  • Learns and uses job-specific software.

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