Senior Cost Estimator - Mining & Industrial

AECOM (New); Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Canada is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to lead cost estimates across mining and industrial projects, including labor, materials, equipment, and contingencies. You will develop Basis of Estimate, work with PMs and discipline leads, and support cost-driven decisions.

This role requires mining/industrial estimating experience, knowledge of open pit and underground operations, and proficiency with estimation tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a related field + 8 years of cost estimating experience (mining/industrial preferred) or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Extensive knowledge of cost estimating, construction methodologies, engineering design principles, and applicable industry standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Experience with class estimate frameworks commonly used in industrial/mining (e.g., early phase vs. definitive estimates) and documenting assumptions/contingency/risk.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, and sequencing for industrial/mining sites (including brownfield execution constraints and shutdown/turnaround interfaces where applicable).
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead, execute, review, and effectively present complex cost estimating assignments and projects.
• Certification with AACE (e.g., CEP), RICS, ASPE or related construction/estimating credentials are considered an asset.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, RFPs and contracts for mining and industrial projects.
• Knowledge of MS Project and Primavera is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develops estimates aligned to mining industry deliverables, including Basis of Estimate (BoE), estimating plan, assumptions/exclusions, indirect strategy, and contingency methodology.
• Provides estimates for each project phase: conceptual / scoping, pre-feasibility, feasibility, detailed design, and construction / execution.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates using industry-accepted methods and tools (e.g., factored/parametric, unit-rate, first-principles) appropriate to the maturity of engineering deliverables.
• Ability to specialize in one or more estimating disciplines commonly required for mining projects, including civil/earthworks, structural, mechanical (fixed plant), electrical/instrumentation, piping, process equipment, bulk materials handling, and infrastructure/temporary works.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of order-of-magnitude, preliminary, definitive, and change estimates using appropriate methods and techniques.
• Prepares material, equipment, and labor take-offs from mining and industrial design deliverables (e.g., PFDs/P&IDs, equipment lists, plot plans, general arrangements, bulk MTOs).
• Develops and applies indirect and construction execution assumptions relevant to mining environments (e.g., remote site logistics, camp/temporary facilities, productivity factors, weather impacts, access constraints, work packaging).
• Performs cost comparison analyses between AECOM estimates, contractor/EPC/EPCM estimates, and vendor budget pricing; supports reconciliation and benchmarking.
• Works with Project Managers and discipline leads to evaluate the appropriateness of CAPEX/OPEX budgets and to support cost-driven decision-making and value opportunities.
• Utilizes appropriate company and industry historical data to support estimates and benchmarking, including equipment pricing, productivity norms, installation factors, and location indices.
• Establishes and maintains cost databases and mining-specific parametric/factored estimating tools (e.g., unit costs for earthworks, concrete, structural steel, piping, E&I, conveyors, crushers, mills, tanks).
• Leads estimate reconciliation workshops with the project team and supports stage-gate estimate reviews.
• Identify, evaluate, and quantify project risks and opportunities, including their potential cost and schedule impacts, and support the development of formal cost and schedule risk assessments as required.
• Prepares bid packages, conceptual estimates, and analysis of subcontractor bids for mining and industrial scopes, including bulk earthworks, concrete, structural/mechanical erection, electrical/I&C, piping, and SMP packages.
• Maintains consistent communications with other estimators and stakeholders across mining pursuits and delivery teams.
• Prepares and/or coordinates preparation of full project estimates, supporting internal approvals and client.

Skills

Cost estimating

Project leadership

Mining/industrial knowledge

Engineering basics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

InEight Cost Estimate

Hard Dollar

On-Screen Takeoff

ConstructConnect

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM’s Mining Team Canada is growing! We are seeking a Senior Cost Estimator for our Mining and Industrial projects team. The successful candidate will be responsible for estimating all elements of project cost across the mining project lifecycle, including labor, materials, permanent equipment, consumables, construction equipment, logistics, contingency, escalation, and risk.

This newly created position develops cost estimates for mining assets and related infrastructure such as brownfield/greenfield mine developments, processing facilities (e.g., crushing, grinding, flotation/leach, tailings handling), materials handling systems, utilities, water management, site civil works, rail/port interfaces (where applicable), and supporting infrastructure.

This position may be based in any of AECOM’s Canadian offices.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develops estimates aligned to mining industry deliverables, including Basis of Estimate (BoE), estimating plan, assumptions/exclusions, indirect strategy, and contingency methodology.
• Provides estimates for each project phase: conceptual / scoping, pre-feasibility, feasibility, detailed design, and construction / execution.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates using industry-accepted methods and tools (e.g., factored/parametric, unit-rate, first-principles) appropriate to the maturity of engineering deliverables.
• Ability to specialize in one or more estimating disciplines commonly required for mining projects, including civil/earthworks, structural, mechanical (fixed plant), electrical/instrumentation, piping, process equipment, bulk materials handling, and infrastructure/temporary works.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of order-of-magnitude, preliminary, definitive, and change estimates using appropriate methods and techniques.
• Prepares material, equipment, and labor take-offs from mining and industrial design deliverables (e.g., PFDs/P&IDs, equipment lists, plot plans, general arrangements, bulk MTOs).
• Develops and applies indirect and construction execution assumptions relevant to mining environments (e.g., remote site logistics, camp/temporary facilities, productivity factors, weather impacts, access constraints, work packaging).
• Performs cost comparison analyses between AECOM estimates, contractor/EPC/EPCM estimates, and vendor budget pricing; supports reconciliation and benchmarking.
• Works with Project Managers and discipline leads to evaluate the appropriateness of CAPEX/OPEX budgets and to support cost-driven decision-making and value opportunities.
• Utilizes appropriate company and industry historical data to support estimates and benchmarking, including equipment pricing, productivity norms, installation factors, and location indices.
• Establishes and maintains cost databases and mining-specific parametric/factored estimating tools (e.g., unit costs for earthworks, concrete, structural steel, piping, E&I, conveyors, crushers, mills, tanks).
• Leads estimate reconciliation workshops with the project team and supports stage-gate estimate reviews.
• Identify, evaluate, and quantify project risks and opportunities, including their potential cost and schedule impacts, and support the development of formal cost and schedule risk assessments as required.
• Prepares bid packages, conceptual estimates, and analysis of subcontractor bids for mining and industrial scopes, including bulk earthworks, concrete, structural/mechanical erection, electrical/I&C, piping, and SMP packages.
• Maintains consistent communications with other estimators and stakeholders across mining pursuits and delivery teams.
• Prepares and/or coordinates preparation of full project estimates, supporting internal approvals and client.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a related field + 8 years of related cost estimating experience (mining/industrial preferred) or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Extensive knowledge of cost estimating, construction methodologies, engineering design principles, and applicable industry standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Experience with class estimate frameworks commonly used in industrial/mining (e.g., early phase vs. definitive estimates) and documenting assumptions/contingency/risk.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, and sequencing for industrial/mining sites (including brownfield execution constraints and shutdown/turnaround interfaces where applicable).
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead, execute, review, and effectively present complex cost estimating assignments and projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification with AACE (e.g., CEP), RICS, ASPE or related construction/estimating credentials are considered an asset.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, RFPs and contracts for mining and industrial projects.
• Knowledge of InEight Cost Estimate / Hard Dollar is a plus.
• Knowledge of On-Screen Takeoff or ConstructConnect is a plus.
• Ability to support development of project schedules and estimate alignment with execution plans.
• Knowledge of MS Project and Primavera is a plus.
• Experience in both open pit and underground mining sectors is an advantage.
• Fluent capability in spoken and written communications in the French and English languages is considered an asset.

Additional Information

Sponsorship for Canadian employment authorization is not available for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The range for this position is $120000 to $170000.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Artificial intelligence will be used to support the screening, assessment, and selection of applicants for this role. Final hiring decisions are made by the hiring team.

ReqID: J10159911

Business Line: Water

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Canada

Career Area: Survey & Estimation

Work Location Model: Hybrid

Compensation: CAD 120000 - CAD 170000 - yearly