Conceptual EPC Estimator

Audubon Companies, LLC; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Audubon Companies, LLC in Houston, TX is seeking a Conceptual EPC Estimator to develop capital cost estimates for engineering, procurement, and construction projects from early concept through defined phases. You will produce AACE Class 5 through Class 3 estimates for industrial facilities and related infrastructure, coordinating with engineering, procurement, construction and project controls.

The role involves reviewing design documents, establishing basis of estimate, applying estimating

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant estimating experience.
• Typically 7+ years of experience developing industrial capital cost estimates.
• Experience with conceptual through budget-level estimates for EPC projects.
• Experience in industrial facilities, process, energy, chemical, petrochemical, or related sectors.
• Knowledge of EPC project execution, labor productivity, escalation, contingencies, and estimate risk.

Responsibilities

• Develop AACE Class 5 through Class 3 capital cost estimates for EPC projects using multiple estimating methods.
• Review process descriptions, PFDs, P&IDs, plot plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Prepare and maintain the Basis of Estimate, including assumptions and exclusions.
• Develop or validate direct and indirect costs across all project elements.
• Identify cost drivers, risks, and contingencies, and recommend allowances.
• Prepare estimate summaries, documentation, and presentations; participate in reviews.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Commercial estimating software

Cost databases

Microsoft Office

Job description

Audubon is currently seeking a Conceptual EPC Estimator to join our team in our Houston, TX Office. The Conceptual EPC Estimator develops capital cost estimates for engineering, procurement, and construction projects from early conceptual development through defined project phases. The position primarily prepares AACE Class 5 through Class 3 estimates for industrial facilities and related infrastructure. The estimator works with engineering, project management, procurement, construction, and project controls to establish scope, select appropriate estimating methods, identify cost drivers and uncertainty, and produce clear, traceable, and supportable estimates. The Conceptual EPC Estimator will independently develop estimates, participate in estimate reviews, and communicate estimate results to project teams, management, and clients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop AACE Class 5 through Class 3 capital cost estimates for EPC projects using conceptual, factored, parametric, historical-data, equipment-based, and quantity-based estimating methods appropriate to the available level of project definition.
• Review and interpret project information, including process descriptions, equipment lists, PFDs, P&IDs, plot plans, drawings, specifications, data sheets, schedules, execution plans, and other available design documents.
• Prepare and maintain the Basis of Estimate, including scope boundaries, estimating methodology, assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, allowances, pricing basis, escalation, contingency inputs, and areas of uncertainty.
• Develop or validate direct and indirect costs for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, project management, temporary facilities, construction support, and other applicable project requirements.
• Develop or validate discipline quantities and costs, including labor hours, productivity factors, installation rates, construction equipment, subcontract costs, and costs for civil, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, and related systems.
• Apply historical project data, benchmarks, capacity factors, installation factors, location factors, cost indices, and other conceptual estimating techniques when detailed quantities are unavailable.
• Obtain, review, and normalize budgetary quotations from vendors, suppliers, fabricators, and subcontractors.
• Identify major cost drivers, scope gaps, estimate risks, and areas of uncertainty, and recommend appropriate allowances and contingency inputs.
• Prepare estimate summaries, detailed supporting documentation, cost breakdown structures, and presentations; participate in estimate reviews, risk workshops, value engineering, constructability reviews, and project strategy meetings.
• Present estimate results and reconcile estimate revisions, explaining changes resulting from scope development, pricing updates, schedule changes, execution strategy, or other project conditions.
• Coordinate estimate development with engineering, procurement, construction, project management, schedules, work breakdown structures, execution plans, and project controls requirements.
• Support improvements to estimating tools, databases, historical cost information, unit rates, and procedures, and provide technical guidance to less-experienced estimators as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, industrial technology, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant estimating, engineering, construction, or project controls experience will be considered.
• Typically, 7 or more years of experience developing industrial capital cost estimates.
• Demonstrated experience developing conceptual through budget-level industrial estimates
• Experience with industrial, process, energy, chemical, petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, infrastructure, or similar capital projects.
• Working knowledge of EPC project execution, construction methods, labor productivity, material pricing, subcontracting, indirect costs, escalation, contingency, and estimate risk.
• Ability to develop defensible estimates from limited, incomplete, and evolving project information.
• Ability to independently organize estimate development, coordinate inputs, document assumptions, and meet project deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with commercial estimating software and cost databases.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Working at Audubon

The Audubon Family of Companies provides professional consulting solutions to the energy industry. For over 25 years, our proven reputation for operational excellence and dedication to client satisfaction has helped us become a leading service provider to some of the biggest names in oil and gas. Our team of over 1,000 of the country's top professionals can deliver a full range of consulting services, from EPCM to field solutions and operational support.

At Audubon we are always growing, though we never lose sight of our commitment to excellence. Our focus on flexibility and our demand for unsurpassed quality control over continue to guide our growth as they have since our inception. We realize that service goes beyond plugging in a professional skill set. Service means flexibility. Service means understanding and solving project challenges in dynamic environments. Service means communication. We pride ourselves on providing the service of the quality which allows us to implement efficient solutions that deliver immediate value and long-term returns.

Our dedication to people requires an equal dedication to safety. Our rigorous safety program helps us maintain a safe and incident-free work environment from the desktop to the pipeline trench. Our people drive the quality and efficiency that have established Audubon as a leader in the oil and gas industry - their growth and safety are at the core of our business.