Employment Type: Full-time, Salary
Reports To: Project Controls Lead or Cost Estimating Lead
Job Summary
The Project Cost Estimator is responsible for supporting and performing the development, preparation, maintenance, and analysis of project cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle. This position supports the preparation of conceptual, budgetary, definitive, and change-related estimates for engineering, procurement, construction, startup, manufacturing, and facility improvement activities.
The Project Cost Estimator works closely with project management, engineering, procurement, construction, project controls, and subcontract management personnel to develop accurate and timely cost estimates that support project planning, budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making. Responsibilities may range from supporting routine estimating activities to independently developing and reviewing complex estimates based on experience and qualifications. This position applies estimating methodologies, quantity takeoffs, pricing strategies, cost analysis, and project controls practices to support project execution and organizational objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Estimating
- Support and perform development of project cost estimates for capital construction, facility modifications, equipment installations, and infrastructure improvements.
- Perform and review quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, models, and other project documents.
- Support preparation and development of conceptual, preliminary, detailed, and definitive estimates.
- Develop and/or assist with labor, material, equipment, subcontract, and indirect cost estimates.
- Compile estimate documentation and supporting calculations.
- Prepare estimate deliverables for review and approval.
- Develop and maintain estimate basis documents, assumptions, exclusions, and qualification statements as applicable.
- Participate in estimate reviews and cost discussions.
- Evaluate estimate accuracy, completeness, risks, and cost drivers as appropriate.
- Support estimate development throughout project design evolution and scope maturation.
Cost Data Collection and Analysis
- Research labor, equipment, and material pricing information.
- Maintain estimating databases and cost history information.
- Compile and evaluate vendor, subcontractor, and supplier pricing data.
- Analyze historical project costs and benchmarking information.
- Develop and/or support unit-rate and productivity-based estimating models.
- Track market pricing trends and cost escalation factors.
- Analyze estimate variances and support resolution of cost discrepancies.
- Support development and maintenance of estimating standards, tools, and best practices.
Project Controls Coordination
- Coordinate with project controls personnel regarding project budgets, cost structures, and estimating requirements.
- Support and perform estimate reconciliation activities.
- Develop and maintain estimate basis documentation and assumptions.
- Participate in estimate reviews and cost discussions.
- Evaluate cost impacts associated with design changes and project scope modifications.
- Support preparation of cost forecasts and project financial reports.
- Support development of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)-based estimating models and cost breakdown structures.
- Assist project teams in evaluating project execution strategies and associated cost impacts.
- Coordinate estimating activities with project controls throughout the project lifecycle.
Engineering and Construction Support
- Review engineering drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and procurement documentation.
- Identify project scope requirements and cost drivers affecting project estimates.
- Coordinate with engineering and construction personnel to understand project requirements.
- Evaluate constructability considerations that may impact project costs.
- Participate in project planning and estimate review meetings.
- Support estimate development as engineering designs and project scope evolve.
- Provide estimating support during project planning, value analysis, and change management activities.
- Assist with identifying scope gaps, assumptions, exclusions, and other factors affecting project cost.
Procurement and Subcontract Support
- Obtain and compile pricing information from suppliers and subcontractors.
- Review vendor quotations and subcontract proposals.
- Prepare pricing comparisons and bid tabulations.
- Evaluate pricing alternatives and procurement options.
- Maintain records of supplier and subcontractor cost information.
- Support commercial evaluations and cost analyses associated with procurement activities.
- Assist with evaluation of contractor pricing associated with change orders and claims.
- Coordinate with procurement and subcontract management personnel regarding pricing requirements and estimate development.
Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare estimate reports, summaries, and supporting documentation.
- Maintain estimating files and project records.
- Prepare management presentations and estimate review materials.
- Ensure estimate documentation is complete, organized, accurate, and traceable.
- Maintain confidentiality of project cost information.
- Support estimate audits and management reviews.
- Present estimate information, assumptions, findings, and cost impacts to project personnel and leadership as appropriate.
- Maintain organized records of estimate development, supporting data, revisions, and approvals.
Required Qualifications / Experience
Education
- Associate degree in Construction Management, Engineering Technology, Business, Finance, Project Controls, Industrial Technology, a related field or experience equivalency.
Experience
- Experience in estimating, project controls, construction, engineering support, procurement, manufacturing, finance, or related project environments. Relevant experience may range from entry-level to progressively responsible experience depending on position level and assigned responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications / Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or related discipline.
Experience
- Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, utility, energy, or construction projects.
- Experience reviewing technical drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and procurement documents.
- Experience preparing or supporting conceptual, budgetary, preliminary, or definitive project estimates.
- Experience supporting project controls or estimating functions on capital projects.
- Experience with quantity takeoffs and construction cost estimating.
- Experience participating in estimate development, estimate reviews, or cost analysis activities.
- Experience evaluating vendor, subcontractor, or supplier pricing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with estimating software systems.
- Working knowledge of project scheduling and cost control principles.
- Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and procurement documents.
- Experience supporting EPC, industrial construction, manufacturing, utility, DOE, or nuclear projects.
- Working knowledge of quantity takeoff techniques and construction means and methods.
- Experience developing or supporting WBS-based estimates and estimate basis documentation.
- Experience with cost databases, historical cost information, or unit-rate estimating.
- Experience supporting change order, claims, or commercial cost evaluations.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Understanding of construction and industrial project execution.
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
- Ability to perform and/or review detailed quantity takeoffs and cost calculations.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Understanding of estimating methodologies and project controls practices.
- Ability to identify project scope requirements, cost drivers, assumptions, and potential cost impacts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to organize and manage large volumes of data and supporting documentation.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and other technical documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within project teams.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
- Ability to analyze pricing information, historical costs, and estimate data
- Ability to communicate cost information and estimate findings to project personnel and leadership.
- Ability to learn and apply estimating methodologies, project controls practices, and company procedures.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to review drawings, specifications, cost reports, and technical documentation.
- Ability to occasionally conduct field visits to construction or manufacturing facilities.
Benefits of Employment
- Paid Time Off
- 401k match program
- Healthcare Insurance
- Enrollment into Employee Stock Ownership Program after 1 year of employment
Why Join Us
At Geiger Brothers, you’re not just an employee — you’re an owner. As an employee-owned company with over 100 years of self-performing experience, we’ve built a culture where your hard work directly builds your future, not just ours.
We’re a fast-growing, best-in-class construction partner trusted to deliver integrated solutions across construction, service, fabrication, and engineering. That means our people get to work on projects of real scale and complexity — from nuclear facilities to hospitals to power plants — without being boxed into one narrow specialty. If you want to grow your skills across diverse markets like Nuclear, Education, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Power, Commercial, and Maintenance, you’ll find no shortage of opportunity here.
Join a team of hard workers building our future supported by a company with a century of craftsmanship behind it.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Drug-Free Workplace
Geiger Brothers is a drug free workplace. Our employees are subject to pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug screenings.