Cost Estimator

The Nuclear Company; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401k with company match

Job summary

The Nuclear Company is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop cost estimates aligned with AACE practices for nuclear project development. You will collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, regulatory, and project controls teams to produce reliable, auditable estimates and to leverage AI-enabled cost modeling.

We value rigorous methodology, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-growing startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 15+ years in project controls.
• 5+ years as an estimator on large projects.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycle and WBS.
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience with estimating software and cost databases.
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning in estimating.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Exceptional analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop estimates aligned with AACE classifications for project phase.
• Create a Basis of Estimate with sufficient detail.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, QA, regulatory, and controls teams.
• Identify risks and assumptions; support quantitative analysis.
• Use estimating software and databases for structured, auditable estimates.
• Explore AI/ML tools for parametric estimating and benchmarking.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Project controls experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

InEight Estimate

Sage Estimating

CostOS

RSMeans

Job description

The Nuclear Companyis the fastest-growing AI-enabled startup in nuclear energy, bringing together experienced nuclear professionals, technologists, engineers, and builders to deliver the next generation of nuclear power. Through our design-once, build-many approach, we are creating a repeatable model for deploying nuclear fleets—combining the industry's highest standards for safety, quality, and regulatory rigor with the speed and innovation required to meet the world's growing energy needs.

We are building the future of nuclear work.Every employee is expected to use AI, technology, and our Nuclear Operating System (NOS) to strengthen engineering and operational decision-making, improve quality, eliminate inefficiencies, and accelerate execution without compromising safety. Our nuclear expertise shapes the continued evolution of NOS, enabling us to capture institutional knowledge, standardize best practices, and deliver complex projects with greater consistency and certainty.

We hire people who believe nuclear energy is essential to human progress.Our team is made up of mission-driven experts who respect the rigor of the industry while challenging outdated ways of working. They bring deep technical judgment, intellectual curiosity, high agency, and the humility to learn from others. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappy, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions. Together, they form TRUST, the foundation of our safety culture and our commitment to intellectual honesty, personal accountability, open communication, and operational excellence.

About the role

The Estimator is a key participant in project development and the successful capture of business for TNC. The successful candidate will be familiar with the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) and their recommended practices related to the development of cost estimates. The estimator will interface with several stakeholders, both inside and outside of TNC, to develop reliable cost estimates with the appropriate pedigree aligned with international standards.

Responsibilities

• Estimate Development: Given a scope of work, the estimator will work with key stakeholders to develop an estimate aligned with the requisite AACE classifications appropriate for the phase of the project
• Create a Basis of Estimate: In support of the estimate, the BOE shall provide enough information a reasonable individual can reach the same outcome
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning & testing, regulatory, and project controls teams to collect inputs to support estimate development
• Risk and Assumption Identification: Based on inputs, the estimator will identify key risks and assumptions associated with each element of the estimate. The estimator will work with risk personnel to ensure quantitative analysis is performed based on this information and included in the basis of estimate
• Estimating Software & Database Management: Utilize industry-standard estimating platforms (e.g., HCSS HeavyBid, InEight Estimate, Sage Estimating, or CostOS) to develop, organize, and maintain detailed cost estimates with traceable line items, historical benchmarking, and parametric modeling capabilities
• AI-Enhanced Cost Modeling: Leverage AI and machine learning tools to analyze historical project data, identify cost drivers, improve estimate accuracy, and perform automated benchmarking against comparable projects across the fleet
• Proficiency with estimating software and cost databases (e.g.,InEight, CostOS, RSMeans, or equivalent) for developing and maintaining structured, auditable cost estimates
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning applications for parametric estimating, historical data analysis, or probabilistic cost modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo simulation tools, @Risk, Crystal Ball)

Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• 15+ years of experience in project controls
• 5+ years of experience as an estimator on large project
• Strong understanding of project lifecycle and work breakdown structures
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency with estimating software and cost databases for developing and maintaining structured, auditable cost estimates
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning applications for parametric estimating, historical data analysis, or probabilistic cost modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo simulation tools, @Risk, Crystal Ball)
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Exceptional analytical skills

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in the nuclear energy, power generation, or highly regulated industry
• Familiarity with earned value management, risk analysis, and cost-schedule integration
• PMP or PMI-SP certification a plus
• Experience working in a startup or high-growth environment
• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match

Estimated Starting Salary Range

The estimated starting salary range for this role is $150,000 - $173,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement

The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.

Export Control

Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.

Recruiting Fraud Alert

Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page .

The Nuclear Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or staffing agencies. Please do not contact The Nuclear Company employees directly about candidate placements.