Lead Estimator – Transportation & Infrastructure

STV; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 131,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)

Paid Holidays (9 days)

Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)

Continuing Education Program

Job summary

STV is seeking a Senior Estimator to join the Project Controls department in our Dallas, TX office. The role focuses on developing, analyzing, and validating cost estimates across transportation, aviation, infrastructure, and capital programs.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in cost estimating, cost planning, quantity take-offs, and project controls, serving as a technical resource to drive estimating excellence on complex programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, project controls, or construction cost management.
• Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for transportation, aviation, transit, infrastructure, commercial, or major capital improvement programs.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, and cost modeling techniques.
• Experience performing detailed quantity take-offs from plans and specifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently on complex assignments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed construction cost estimates.
• Prepare quantity take-offs, cost models, pricing analyses, and estimate documentation from drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Evaluate project scope and identify key cost drivers, risks, assumptions, and opportunities.
• Maintain detailed estimate backup documentation, supporting calculations, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Develop and maintain cost databases, benchmarking tools, historical cost models, and unit pricing libraries.
• Validate and reconcile estimates prepared by design consultants, contractors, and third parties.
• Partner with project controls teams, schedulers, cost engineers, and project managers to align estimates with project schedules and budgets.
• Support development of project budgets, cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and life-cycle cost analyses.
• Analyze escalation factors, productivity impacts, contingencies, and market trends affecting project costs.
• Support earned value management, forecasting, and performance reporting initiatives as needed.
• Perform cost risk assessments and support quantitative risk analysis efforts.
• Evaluate scope changes, change orders, and potential impacts to project costs and budgets.
• Prepare independent cost opinions and estimate reconciliation reports.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities and provide value engineering recommendations.
• Collaborate with clients, engineers, designers, contractors, and consultants throughout planning, design, procurement, and construction phases.
• Participate in design reviews, estimating workshops, cost reviews, and value engineering sessions.
• Present estimating methodologies, assumptions, findings, and recommendations to project teams and client stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and support during procurement and contractor negotiations.
• Mentor junior estimators and project controls professionals.
• Support development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Assist with business development pursuits by preparing conceptual estimates and cost strategies for proposals.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating and project controls functions.

Skills

Cost estimating

Project controls

Cost engineering

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

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

Tools

Excel

Estimating platforms

Project controls systems

Job description

STV is seeking a Senior Estimator to join the Project Controls department in our Dallas, TX office. The role focuses on developing, analyzing, and validating cost estimates across transportation, aviation, infrastructure, and capital programs.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in cost estimating, cost planning, quantity take-offs, and project controls, serving as a technical resource to drive estimating excellence on complex programs.