Estimator III -Transportation Construction

Orion Engineers, PLLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Engineers, PLLC is seeking a dynamic Project Engineer focused on infrastructure and transportation to join our firm. You will prepare detailed cost estimates, participate in client proposals, and collaborate with scheduling to align estimates with project timelines.

Responsibilities include evaluating drawings, preparing takesoffs, and supporting procurement while leveraging tools like Excel, Sage Timberline, and HCSS HeavyBid to deliver accurate estimates for complex civil projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related degree and 6 years relevant experience with tollway/highway work
• In lieu of education, 10 years relevant experience with the development of cost estimates
• Experience developing cost estimates and quantity takeoffs in heavy highway construction
• Experience estimating and bidding projects with a general contractor or subcontractor on heavy civil projects
• Familiarity with basic design requirements for roads and bridges
• Experience preparing cost estimates using a variety of Estimating tools, including Excel spreadsheets, Sage Timberline, HCSS HeavyBid, and/or other estimating software

Responsibilities

• Performs detailed cost estimates utilizing the Cost Breakdown Structure, determining the cost of each item from experience and summarizing the total.
• Prepares detailed breakdown of components and elements of estimates for systems and subsystems.
• Performs conceptual estimating by establishing a project’s cost prior to development of graphical representation of a facility.
• Works closely with the project supervisor to ensure the project estimate meets all financial and regulatory guidelines.
• Operates and provides oversight and guidance on the use of selected estimating software.
• Provides support in price negotiations and obtains cost information for materials and services.
• Participates in client presentations as required.
• Develops duration estimates of specific construction activities based on assumed construction approach and production rates.
• Prepares independent cost estimates for submitted change order proposals.
• Collaborates with scheduling team to develop productivity-based cost estimates and ensure alignment with construction schedules.
• Analyzes specifications, drawings, and layouts to calculate total construction cost with labor, materials, and equipment.
• Reviews contractual documents and contract modifications to determine scope of work and changes.
• Maintains historical cost data and estimating standards and databases.
• Prepares takeoffs on complex projects and assigns material and staffing costs.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related degree

10 years relevant experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Excel

Sage Timberline

HCSS HeavyBid

Job description

Orion Engineers, PLLC was founded to make a difference to our employees, clients, and fellow military veterans who bravely served our country. Our team of dynamic and diverse professionals drive creative engineering solutions that are responsive, proactive, and cost effective for our clients and communities. Orion Engineers is looking for a dynamic Project Engineer with a focus on infrastructure and the transportation industry to join our growing firm. Let’s build the future together.

This opportunity entails preparing all aspects of detailed cost estimates with minimal supervision for projects that are generally larger and more complex estimating assignments. Accurately projecting the cost of upcoming projects. Responsible for conceptual, definitive, man-hour, and equipment factored total installed cost estimates. Duties may also include preparing economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses.

Responsibilities

• Performs detailed cost estimates utilizing the Cost Breakdown Structure, determining the cost of each item from experience and summarizing the total. Prepares detailed breakdown of components and elements of estimates for systems and subsystems.
• Performs conceptual estimating by establishing a project’s cost prior to development of graphical representation of a facility. Works closely with the project supervisor to ensure the project estimate meets all financial and regulatory guidelines. Operates and provides oversight and guidance on the use of selected estimating software.
• Provides support in price negotiations. Obtains cost information for materials and services. Participates in client presentations as required.
• Develops duration estimates of specific construction activities based on assumed construction approach and appropriate production rates. Prepares independent cost estimates for submitted change order proposals.
• Collaborates with scheduling team to develop productivity-based cost estimates and to ensure alignment of estimates to construction schedules.
• Analyzes specifications, drawings, sketches, and sample layouts to calculate total construction cost using labor, material, and equipment pricing schedules in concert with historical data.
• Reviews contractual documents and contract modifications to determine scope of work and scope changes.
• Accumulates, evaluates, and documents historical cost data and construction means and methods to maintain current estimating standards and databases.
• Prepares takeoffs on complex projects, drawings, and plans with project management and checks for mathematical and technical accuracy. Assigns material costs and staffing costs to the takeoffs.
• Supports the preparation of procurement documents related to Estimating Specifications.

Daily responsibilities:

• Prepares reviews of engineers estimates for complex civil contracts,
• Compiles independent quantity take-offs on major projects for quality check purposes,
• Prepares independent change order estimates for construction contracts
• Updates cost forecasts for upcoming work,
• Analyzes bid tabulations,
• Updates price database, and
• Produces economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related degree and 6 years relevant experience with tollway/highway work
• In lieu of education, 10 years relevant experience with the development of cost estimates

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience developing cost estimates and quantity takeoffs in heavy highway construction
• Experience estimating and bidding projects with a general contractor or subcontractor on heavy civil projects
• Familiarity with basic design requirements for roads and bridges
• Experience preparing cost estimates using a variety of Estimating tools, including Excel spreadsheets, Sage Timberline, HCSS HeavyBid, and/or other estimating software