Pipeline Construction Estimator

Associated Pipe Line Contractors, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Pipe Line Contractors, a leader in energy infrastructure, seeks a Pipeline Estimator to develop detailed cost estimates for pipeline construction projects in Houston. The role requires reviewing plans, specifications, and bid documents to produce accurate estimates for labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors.

Travel to project sites may be required. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of pipeline estimating experience, strong Excel skills, and the ability to communicate

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of pipeline construction estimating experience.
• Knowledge of pipeline construction means, methods, equipment, crews, and production rates.
• Ability to independently develop estimates for pipeline construction activities.
• Experience performing construction quantity takeoffs and estimating labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for pipeline construction projects from bid review through final estimate and proposal submission.
• Review plans, specifications, alignment sheets, bid schedules, scopes of work, contract documents, and other bid information.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates.
• Develop estimates using appropriate crew compositions and anticipated production rates.
• Identify unusual project conditions, risks, constraints, and opportunities that may affect project cost or schedule.
• Incorporate terrain, access, congestion, environmental restrictions, and other field conditions into the estimate.
• Support Project Management during turnover by communicating the assumptions used to develop the estimate.

Skills

Pipeline estimating knowledge

Excel proficiency

Cost estimation

Risk assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Estimating software

Primavera P6

Job description

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

Pipeline Estimating

• Prepare detailed estimates for pipeline construction projects from initial bid review through final estimate and proposal submission.
• Review plans, specifications, alignment sheets, bid schedules, scopes of work, contract documents, and other bid information.
• Perform and verify quantity takeoffs for pipeline construction activities.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates.
• Develop estimates using appropriate crew compositions and anticipated production rates.
• Understand the relationship between crew size, equipment requirements, production, schedule duration, and overall project cost.
• Develop unit costs based on expected field productivity and project-specific conditions.
• Utilize historical project performance and production information when developing estimates.
• Identify unusual project conditions, risks, constraints, and opportunities that may affect project cost or schedule.

Pipeline Production & Progress Rates

Candidates must have practical knowledge of pipeline-specific production and progress rates, including the ability to develop or evaluate expected production for activities such as:

• Clearing
• Grading
• Stringing
• Bending
• Tie-in welding
• Coating
• Ditching
• Road, utility, wetland and water body crossings
• Hydrostatic testing
• Cleanup and restoration

Bid Review & Risk Assessment

• Identify potential RFIs and submit questions through the appropriate pre-bid process.
• Identify contractual requirements that may affect cost, schedule, productivity, or risk.
• Identify project-specific risks including access restrictions, environmental requirements, permitting constraints, work-hour restrictions, difficult terrain, weather exposure, testing requirements, owner requirements, and schedule constraints.

Field & Operations Coordination

• Incorporate terrain, access, congestion, environmental restrictions, crossings, existing utilities, and other field conditions into the estimate.
• Compare estimated production and costs against actual project performance when historical information is available.
• Support Project Management and Operations during project turnover by clearly communicating the assumptions used to develop the estimate.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of pipeline construction estimating experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pipeline construction means, methods, equipment, crews, and production rates.
• Ability to independently develop estimates for pipeline construction activities.
• Ability to calculate and verify circumferential pipeline weld quantities.
• Working knowledge of pipeline welding production rates, including mainline and tie-in welding.
• Working knowledge of pipeline construction equipment and realistic equipment-specific production rates and understand appropriate equipment requirements for different terrains.
• Ability to develop appropriate crew compositions and equipment spreads for pipeline construction activities.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, alignment sheets, specifications, scopes of work, bid schedules, and contract documents.
• Experience performing construction quantity takeoffs.
• Experience developing labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect project costs.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with estimators, field personnel, Project Managers, Superintendents, subcontractors, vendors, clients, and company management.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior pipeline field construction experience in addition to estimating experience.
• Experience estimating both mainline pipeline construction and associated facility/tie-in work.
• Experience with large-diameter pipeline construction.
• Experience with estimating software and construction cost databases.
• Experience with Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
• Experience analyzing historical job-cost and productivity information.
• Experience participating in estimate-versus-actual project reviews.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Pipeline construction knowledge: Understands how pipeline projects are actually constructed and how individual operations interact within the overall construction spread.
• Production-rate knowledge: Can develop realistic production assumptions rather than relying solely on standardized estimating tables.
• Welding knowledge: Understands pipeline welding quantities, crew requirements, production rates, and the impact welding has on overall pipeline production.
• Equipment knowledge: Understands the capabilities and expected productivity of equipment commonly used in pipeline construction.
• Cost awareness: Understands the relationship between production, duration, labor, equipment utilization, and overall project cost.
• Field awareness: Recognizes how terrain, access, weather, specifications, pipe characteristics, environmental restrictions, and project conditions affect productivity.
• Analytical ability: Can evaluate an estimate for reasonableness and identify assumptions that create significant cost or schedule risk.
• Attention to detail: Produces accurate quantities and maintains clear documentation supporting the estimate.
• Communication: Can explain estimating assumptions and methodology to both field personnel and company management.
• Judgment: Knows when historical production data is applicable and when project-specific conditions require adjustments.

Travel & Working Conditions

This position will primarily involve office-based estimating activities but requires travel to project locations, pre-bid meetings, site visits, and other company or client locations as necessary. Candidates should be comfortable visiting active and proposed pipeline construction sites, including undeveloped rights-of-way and locations with uneven or difficult terrain.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline is preferred but not required. Significant relevant pipeline construction and estimating experience may substitute for formal education.

Company Description

Associated Pipe Line Contractors is an energy infrastructure contractor serving the oil and gas industry with offerings that include pipeline construction and pipeline integrity. We believe our experience and expertise in the planning and execution of projects differentiates us from our competitors, provides us with a greater advantage in the markets we serve and positions us for early involvement in projects. Our integrity and capabilities provide us the opportunity to participate in the life of a pipeline. Associated Pipe Line Contractors has a longstanding commitment to our partners to find the safest and most effective solutions to difficult project problems, maintaining the high-quality workmanship our customers expect.

Company Description

Associated Pipe Line Contractors is an energy infrastructure contractor serving the oil and gas industry with offerings that include pipeline construction and pipeline integrity. We believe our experience and expertise in the planning and execution of projects differentiates us from our competitors, provides us with a greater advantage in the markets we serve and positions us for early involvement in projects. Our integrity and capabilities provide us the opportunity to participate in the life of a pipeline. Associated Pipe Line Contractors has a longstanding commitment to our partners to find the safest and most effective solutions to difficult project problems, maintaining the high-quality workmanship our customers expect.