Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)

ITC Holdings

$95K — $115K *
Novi, MI 48375In-Person
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 2-10 years of related experience, depending on the level (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal).
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of electrical utilities cost estimating relevant to position level.
  • Strong understanding of project management and project controls processes.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Independently develop project cost estimates for moderately complex projects.
  • Lead comprehensive estimate reviews and discussions with stakeholders.
  • Analyze project plans and specifications to construct detailed cost estimates.
  • Provide technical oversight and quality assurance of estimates prepared by junior estimators.
  • Support process improvements and efficiency in estimating methodologies.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training programs.
  • Participation in industry working groups and professional associations.
  • Flexible working conditions to promote work-life balance.
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.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. ITC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B or TN visas.


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