Lead III-Cost Estimation

PeopleStrong; Vadodara; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

PeopleStrong is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator for large EPC projects (EP, EPF, EPC, LEPC) based in India. The role focuses on preparing accurate cost estimates by reviewing technical and commercial inputs, benchmarking costs, and applying financial modelling techniques to enable informed commercial decisions.

The ideal candidate has 16–20 years in engineering/EPC, 8–10 years in cost estimation, and a degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.

Qualifications

• 16–20 years of engineering/EPC experience required.
• 8–10 years of hands-on cost estimation for EP/EPF/EPC/LEPC projects.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates for EP, EPF, EPC and LEPC projects.
• Review tender specs, commercial terms and engineering documents to develop estimates.
• Identify risks, calculate contingencies, and perform scenario modelling.
• Align with Proposal Manager and support Sales in bids.
• Estimate taxes, duties, FX variations, Incoterms and onshore/offshore splits.
• Maintain awareness of international codes and standards relevant to costing.
• Benchmark construction costs by location and benchmark data.
• Ensure proposals meet deadlines and internal reviews.
• Contribute to cost databases and escalation models.
• Support development of value engineering opportunities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder management

Collaboration

Negotiation

Team building

Accuracy

Education

Bachelor/Master in Mechanical or Chemical Eng.

Tools

Excel

Power BI

MS Word

PowerPoint

Teams

AI tools

Job description

Analytical Data Driven Decision Making Accuracy Stake Holder Managment Collaboration Negotiation Team Building

B.E

Job Description

Role Definition:

This role is responsible for preparing accurate Class I to Class V cost estimates for EP, EPF, EPC, and LEPC projects by compiling, reviewing, challenging, and analysing cost inputs.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational

• Reviews tender specifications, commercial terms and conditions, and engineering documents such as PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment lists to develop accurate cost estimates.
• Demonstrates deep understanding of local and global vendor landscapes and project cost drivers, including high-value items with significant impact on overall project cost.
• Identifies and assesses project risks, calculates contingencies, and performs scenario modelling to support robust cost estimates.
• Aligns with the Proposal Manager on proposal strategy and supports the Sales team in preparing competitive and winning bids.
• Estimates applicable taxes and duties, foreign exchange variations, import/export implications, Incoterm selection, and onshore/offshore split impacts.
• Maintains strong awareness of applicable international codes and standards relevant to project execution and costing.
• Challenges project scope and technical specifications to identify value engineering opportunities and optimize cost competitiveness.
• Applies advanced financial modelling techniques, including NPV, IRR, and sensitivity analysis, to support commercial decision-making.
• Possesses thorough understanding of construction cost estimation and the ability to challenge and benchmark construction costs based on project-specific locations.
• Ensures full compliance with client submission deadlines and internal management requirements for periodic proposal progress reviews.
• Brings expertise in estimating large process plants such as SMR-based Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen, HyCO, SRU, Ammonia, downstream Gasification, Petrochemical plants, storage tanks including cryogenic storage tanks, and modularized plant concepts.

Stakeholder Management

• Coordinates with various departments to obtain the required inputs for project costing.
• Collaborates with global estimation teams to integrate their inputs into consolidated project cost sheets.
• Coordinates and participates in proposal and costing meetings, working across cultures and functions to drive alignment and final outcomes.
• Demonstrates strong negotiation and cost-challenging skills to achieve competitive techno-commercial outcomes.

Database Management

• Conducts research and develops, updates, and maintains digital cost estimation databases.
• Develops and maintains benchmark data and estimation norms to support data-driven estimates and improve accuracy, productivity, and efficiency.
• Develops commodity trend analyses and escalation models using relevant market indices.

Additional Responsibilities:

Supports people development by coaching junior colleagues and enabling their smooth integration into the department.

Software Tools & Technology:

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Power BI, Teams, and digital AI tools used for database development and analysis.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering. Candidate should have 16 to 20 years of experience in engineering/EPC organizations, including a minimum of 8 to 10 years of hands-on experience in cost estimation for EP, EPF, EPC, or LEPC projects.