Project Estimator -Transportation Infrastructure

Arcadis U.S.Inc.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis U.S.Inc. seeks a Project Estimator in Richmond, VA to develop accurate cost estimates for major transportation infrastructure projects from concept through construction documentation.

You will collaborate with management, engineering teams, and external consultants to ensure reliable projections, budget control, and informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required in a relevant field.
• 5–10 years of professional cost estimating experience on large infrastructure or transportation programs.
• Experience with Design-Build project estimating and DOT projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed bottom-up and top-down cost estimates across all project stages.
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and final construction estimates for transportation projects.
• Prepare estimates for Design-Build and O&M programs; apply USACE formats when needed.
• Review subconsultant and contractor proposals for accuracy and reasonableness.
• Perform scope, quantity, and unit cost reconciliations to validate assumptions.
• Support budgeting, project controls, and progress reporting.

Skills

Transportation estimates

Design-Build estimating

DOT projects

USACE formats

Megaprojects

Contractor estimating

Education

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

Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description:

Arcadis is seeking a Project Estimator, who will apply advanced cost estimating expertise to support major transportation infrastructure projects in Richmond, VA. This role is responsible for developing accurate project cost estimates throughout all phases of project development-from conceptual planning through final design and construction documentation. The estimator will collaborate closely with project management, engineering teams, and external consultants to ensure reliable cost projections, budget control, and informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Role accountabilities:

Cost Estimating & Analysis

• Independently prepare detailed bottom-up and top-down cost estimates based on engineering plans, drawings, and project documentation across all project stages (conceptual through final design and construction).
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and final construction estimates for complex transportation infrastructure projects.
• Prepare cost estimates for Design-Build projects and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) programs.
• Apply USACE estimating formats and deliverables when required.

Proposal & Change Order Evaluation

• Review and analyze subconsultant and contractor cost proposals to assess accuracy, completeness, and reasonableness.
• Evaluate contractor change proposals and provide cost validation and recommendations.

Cost Reconciliation & Budget Management

• Perform independent scope, quantity, and unit cost reconciliations to validate project cost assumptions.
• Assist project management teams in developing and maintaining project budgets.
• Support monitoring and management of project scope, cost, and schedule.

Project Controls & Reporting

• Track and analyze project performance metrics and prepare reports to support project leadership.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial controls and procedures to maintain consistent and accurate cost reporting.

Technical Coordination

• Apply knowledge of construction means and methods to ensure realistic and constructible cost estimates.
• Coordinate with engineers, designers, and project managers to clarify scope, quantities, and constructability considerations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field
• 5-10 years of professional cost estimating experience within major infrastructure or transportation programs.

Key Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience preparing conceptual, design-phase, and final construction estimates for large, complex transportation projects
• Experience with Design-Build project estimating.
• Experience working on DOT projects.
• Background in contractor-side estimating is a plus.
• Familiarity with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) estimating formats and deliverables.
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure programs or megaprojects.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It's why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.

We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

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