Senior Estimator

Burns & McDonnell; Mumbai; Remote; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell India is seeking an experienced CSA Estimator to join the Estimating/Preconstruction team. This position focuses on detailed, bottoms-up cost estimates for civil, structural, and architectural scopes across major industrial projects, with close collaboration to the Kansas City HQ.

You will prepare comprehensive Bases of Estimate (BOE), perform quantity take-offs, and input data into estimating databases, emphasizing accuracy, standard methods, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline.
• 5–10+ years direct project estimating experience in CSA scopes.
• Proven ability to write clear Basis of Estimate documents.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with industrial estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed, bottoms-up cost estimates for civil, structural, and architectural scopes.
• Study design documents, drawings, specs, and narratives to inform estimates.
• Perform detailed quantity take-offs from concept to fully detailed drawings.
• Integrate take-off data and pricing into estimating databases using InEight Estimating.
• Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) with assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions.
• Collaborate daily with remote KC team to align scope, methodology, and schedule.
• Support value engineering and cost optimization efforts.
• Maintain historical cost data, libraries, and templates for accuracy.
• Ensure estimates comply with corporate estimating guidelines and quality procedures.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture

Tools

InEight Estimating

Microsoft Excel

Timberline

WinEst

ConEst

Job description

Position Summary

The CSA Estimator (Levels 10 - 11) will be responsible for preparing detailed, internal "bottoms-up" estimates to support engineering-only efforts, early feasibility studies, and Construction Design-Build / EPC estimates and proposals. This role is highly technical, focusing on in-depth analysis of civil, structural, and architectural (CSA) scopes. The successful candidate will study design documents, perform detailed quantity take-offs, price estimates, and author comprehensive Bases of Estimate (BOE).

This position requires close, seamless collaboration with the larger Estimating and Preconstruction team members based in Kansas City (KC). This is an internally focused position with little to no external subcontractor or vendor contact.

Responsibilities

Internal Bottoms-Up Estimating: Develop detailed, first-principles "bottoms-up" direct cost estimates—including material, labor, productivity rates, and equipment for civil, structural, and architectural (CSA) scopes of work.

Design & Narrative Analysis: Thoroughly study, analyze, and understand design documents, engineering drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, and project narratives.

Quantity Take-offs (QTO): Perform highly accurate, detailed quantity take-offs from early-stage conceptual sketches through fully detailed construction drawings.

Software Integration: Utilize and input take-off quantities, pricing data, and historical cost data into estimating databases and tools, with a strong preference for InEight Estimating software.

Basis of Estimate (BOE) Development: Take an integral role in writing and organizing the "Basis of Estimate" (BOE) for assigned CSA scopes. Clearly outline core assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions, particularly where design documents are incomplete, vague, or in early stages (Class 5, 4, or 3 estimates).

Cross-Geographic Collaboration: Partner daily with remote project teams and Estimating/Preconstruction counterparts in the Kansas City (KC) headquarters to ensure alignment on scope, methodology, and schedule.

Internal Team Reviews: Participate actively in internal project estimate reviews, validating quantity variances, pricing structures, and potential scope gaps.

Value Engineering Assistance: Identify, analyze, and propose alternative construction materials, methodologies, or options to support value engineering and cost optimization.

Historical Database Support: Support the upkeep and organization of historical cost data, software libraries, and estimating templates to refine future estimating accuracy.

Compliance & Methodology: Ensure all estimates comply strictly with corporate estimating guidelines, class-definition standards, and quality control procedures.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related technical discipline. (Equivalent direct experience may be considered in lieu of degree).

Experience:

Typically, 5 to 10+ years of direct project estimating experience, specifically focused on civil, structural, and architectural (CSA) scopes for major industrial facilities, power plants, mission-critical centers, or large commercial projects.

Estimation Expertise:

Proven track record of compiling detailed "bottoms-up" estimates rather than just factoring. Deep understanding of labor productivity, equipment types, and industrial construction materials.

Technical Writing:

Exceptional capability to write professional, structured, and technically sound "Basis of Estimate" documents that articulate project parameters and assumptions clearly.

Software Proficiency:

Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel. Strong experience with industrial estimating software is required, with InEight Estimating highly preferred. Experience with other platforms (such as Timberline, WinEst, or ConEst) is beneficial.

Communication Skills:

Excellent written and verbal English communication and presentation skills are critical to bridge the time-zone differences and coordinate effectively with Kansas City teams.

Analytical Skills:

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with a keen attention to detail.

Teamwork:

Ability to work independently with minimal day-to-day oversight while functioning as an indispensable, remote extension of a highly collaborative US-based team.