Estimator - Metals

mydpr; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

DPR Construction is seeking an experienced SPW Cost Estimator to prepare detailed self-perform work cost estimates for complex projects. This role collaborates with project teams to ensure estimates reflect current market conditions, production rates, and risk factors across multiple trades.

You will contribute to tool and data improvements, support value engineering discussions, and align estimates with phasing and scheduling to drive informed project decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 4–6 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, or cost analysis for self-perform or construction projects required.

Responsibilities

• Prepares detailed SPW cost estimates integrating material, labor, equipment and production data for multiple scopes.
• Analyzes drawings, models, and specs to validate quantities, identify risks, and confirm scope completeness.
• Collaborates with field leaders, engineers, and project teams to verify production rates and align estimates with plans.
• Coordinates with procurement to evaluate vendor and supplier pricing for SPW materials and equipment and level bids.
• Develops variance analyses and cost studies to support VE and constructability discussions.
• Coordinates with scheduling and operations to align SPW scope with phasing and sequencing.

Skills

Cost estimating

Risk analysis

Vendor pricing

Value engineering

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in CM/engineering/architecture

Job description

At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title-they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization.

As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.

Job Summary:

Prepares detailed and accurate Self-Perform Work (SPW) cost estimates that support project planning, bidding, and operational decision-making. Applies technical knowledge of materials, labor, and production methods to evaluate SPW scopes across multiple trades. Collaborates with project, field, and operations teams to ensure estimates reflect realistic production rates, current market conditions, and risk assessments. Contributes to the continuous improvement of SPW estimating tools and data management practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepares comprehensive SPW cost estimates, integrating material, labor, equipment, and production data for multiple scopes.
• Analyzes drawings, models, and specifications to validate quantities, identify risks, and confirm scope completeness.
• Collaborates with field leaders, engineers, and project teams to verify production rates and align estimates with execution plans.
• Coordinates with procurement teams to evaluate vendor and supplier pricing for SPW materials and equipment, levelling supplier and trade partner bids for SPW work, ensuring that all proposals are consistent with project assumptions and identifying any variances.
• Develops variance analyses and cost studies to support value engineering and constructability discussions.
• Coordinates with scheduling and operations teams to ensure SPW scope aligns with phasing, access, and sequencing plans, and maintains historical cost and production data to support continuous improvement in estimating accuracy.
• Communicates estimate assumptions, findings, and recommendations clearly to project stakeholders, and identifies SPW-related risks, constraints, and uncertainties and incorporates appropriate allowances or contingencies in partnership with operations teams.

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field, or equivalent experience required.

Work Experience:

• 4-6 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, or cost analysis for self-perform or construction projects required.

Certifications and Licences:

• None required.

Anticipated starting pay range:

• $100,000.00- $140,000.00
• Nothing is more important than your health and wellness.
• DPR offers a variety of medical, dental, vision and wellness benefits to keep you healthy.
• Read more about eligibility and available benefits programs for skilled craft and labor or experienced professionals and recent graduates.

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.

Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore unique paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together-by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.

Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers .