Lead Data Center CSA Cost Estimator

Turner & Townsend; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator to support a high-profile client’s large-scale, multi-building data center campus program. The role focuses on developing detailed CSA estimates for complex core-and-shell facilities, requiring advanced estimating expertise in fast-paced environments.

This position is preferred to be based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a hybrid work schedule from Turner & Townsend’s San Francisco office.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in construction estimating or cost management on large-scale capital programs.
• Data center or mission-critical construction experience preferred, including multi-building campuses.
• Proven expertise in conceptual estimating, quantity takeoff, and cost fundamentals across CSA scopes.
• Experience leading estimating teams and coordinating across multiple projects or programs.
• Strong knowledge of construction procurement strategies and commercial contract structures.
• Excellent written, verbal, and client-facing presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; CostX (2D/3D takeoff, assemblies, workbooks); familiarity with AutoCAD or Navisworks.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of cost plans and detailed CSA estimates from concept through detailed design across multiple geographies.
• Provide program-level estimating across multiple projects and campuses to support portfolio-level decision-making.
• Present milestone cost updates (concept, schematic, DD, CD), clearly communicating basis of estimate, assumptions, inclusions/exclusions, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead quantity takeoffs and cost checks for complex, multi-package CSA scopes, ensuring alignment between scope, drawings/models, and estimates.
• Coordinate estimating activities across multiple teams and projects; ensure consistency, accuracy, and clarity of outputs.
• Review contractor pricing including bids, pay applications, and change orders; perform comparative analyses and prepare recommendations for clients.
• Lead change evaluation and pricing analysis to support informed commercial decision‑making.
• Drive benchmarking and cost modeling, building and maintaining historical cost data and metrics; support life‑cycle cost (LCC) analyses.
• Facilitate and lead value engineering (VE) efforts; develop cost and schedule trade-off options and support feasibility and early‑stage cost modeling.
• Support procurement and preconstruction activities including prequalification, bid list development, bid analysis, tender reporting, and contract documentation.
• Partner with cost management, procurement, and project controls teams to align estimating outputs with budgets, commercial strategy, and program planning.
• Assess design development and program changes and produce timely estimate updates at appropriate accuracy levels.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate estimating staff, contributing to team development, training materials, templates, and estimating tools.
• Prepare leadership-ready and client-facing estimating materials for executive, preconstruction, and governance presentations.
• Promote Turner & Townsend’s values, purpose, and collaborative one-business culture.

Skills

Cost estimation

Quantity takeoff

Leadership

Client communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field

Tools

CostX

AutoCAD

Navisworks

MS Office

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Estimator to support a high-profile client’s large-scale, multi-building data center campus program. The role focuses on developing detailed CSA estimates for complex core-and-shell facilities, requiring advanced estimating expertise in fast-paced environments.

This position is preferred to be based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a hybrid work schedule from Turner & Townsend’s San Francisco office.