Cost Estimating Manager

Amentum company; Scoville (ID); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Tax-saving options

Disability and life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Cost Estimating Manager to lead the SFHP cost team, standardize estimating procedures, and ensure Basis of Estimate narratives meet GAO guidance. You will train the team, review estimates, manage risk, and coordinate with Project Manager and Engineering to deliver timely, accurate costs.

This role requires U.S. citizenship for facility credentials and experience in large-scale heavy industrial projects across lifecycle phases, with strong Excel/WinEst skills.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills for emails, narratives and presentations
• Experience preparing cost estimates on behalf of general contractor
• Familiarity with DOE 413.3B Program and Project Management for Capital Assets
• Leading a estimators team across multiple project lifecycle phases

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of estimators with varied experience
• Standardize estimating procedures and document Basis of Estimate narratives
• Ensure GAO-20-195G guidance is followed and training is provided
• Review estimates for accuracy and alignment with Technical Change Requests
• Track estimate accuracy against final negotiated prices and drive improvements
• Coordinate with Project Manager and Engineering to support timely estimates
• Maintain historical data and update estimating databases
• Support risk register costing and align with project risk profile
• Narrative write-ups and variance analyses for out-of-threshold estimates

Skills

Communication skills

Cost estimation experience

DOE 413.3B knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Accounting or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

WinEst

Job description

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative solutions, supporting critical missions across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive advantage, driven by purpose, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering excellence for our customers and communities. We are currently seeking a Cost Estimating Manager to support our Spent Fuel Handling Project (SFHP).

In this role you will:

• Manage a team of estimators that have experience levels from newer entry to seasoned veterans
• Heavy focus on standardization of estimating procedures, focus on documentation, the narratives to explain the Basis of Estimate, assumptions made. Variance Analysis reporting on estimates that come back outside our targeted threshold
• The candidate will place a large priority on training and incorporating the Project Controls Management goals and expectations then relaying that back to the team
• Training the team to the GAO-20-195G – Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide and our own internal Cost Estimating Plan. Become the Subject Matter Expert in these documents and ensure that our team is abiding by these best practices
• Work with the Team Lead in the review of all estimates produced, checking for accuracy, that the estimate captures all elements of the Technical Change Request (TCR), and oversee that the estimates are produced/reviewed/delivered in a timely manner
• Expected to track the accuracy of the estimates produced, comparing the estimate to the final negotiated price. Assessing any areas that need improvement and working with the individuals on the team to make improvements
• Review all estimates and narrative write ups to ensure that the estimator has properly analyzed specifications, sketches, drawings, contract document agreements, and reviewed prior change order proposals
• Become a subject matter expert on the contract verbiage for the contracts being supported
• Consult with the Project Manager and the Engineering teams to discuss the estimates produced, the accuracy, and ensure that the cost estimating team is providing the support that is needed
• Provide assistance in price negotiations, working closely with Project Manager and Project Controls management
• Work with team members on the historical database they have been compiling and evaluate the data and construction means and methods in order to maintain current estimating standards and databases
• Support costing of Risk Registers and collaborates with Risk team to ensure all risk register items are aligned to project’s risk profile
• For all work done, it is expected that the estimator clearly document and communicate the scope of the estimate, the assumptions made, and any pertinent information gathered from the Project Manager or Engineering team. This is to be done in providing a narrative write up explaining the Basis of Estimate. Followed up by a Variance Analysis write up for estimates that fall outside our target threshold. Follow up to ensure this is being properly done and documented

Qualifications:

• Microsoft Excel expertise.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Accounting or other related field highly preferred
• 10 or more years of experience, education can substitute for some experience
• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: U.S. Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location
• Experience in large scale heavy industrial projects is highly preferred
• Experience in multiple phases of project lifecycle (Predesign, Design, Procurement, Construction, and Post-Construction phases)
• Experience preparing cost estimates on behalf of general contractor using a variety of Estimating tools, including Excel spreadsheets, WinEst, and/or other estimating software
• Ability to communicate clearly through email, written narratives, and in-person presentations to all levels of the project team.
• Experience with DOE 413.3B Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets

Compensation Details:

$160,000 - $180,000

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good‑faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax‑saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

10/15/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.