Senior Cost Estimator

Sargent Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,019 - 152,807; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Cost Estimator in Chicago to support project planning and execution. The role offers a hybrid work arrangement—three days in the office and two days remote—allowing a balance between collaboration and focus.

You will prepare detailed capital cost estimates, perform take-offs, work with vendors on costing, input data into databases, and support project controls and scheduling. Strong Excel skills and experience in engineering oversight are essential.

Qualifications

• Construction Management, Engineering, or Business Degree.
• 7 years or more of relevant work experience.
• Understand estimating from conceptual to construction phase.
• Experience with engineering or construction oversight.
• Excel proficiency and ability to build moderately complex spreadsheets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and teamwork.
• Experience in project controls, planning, scheduling, and earned value.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed capital cost estimates using company tools, databases, and historical data.
• Perform material quantity take-offs, labor pricing, and vendor costing to support estimates.
• Coordinate information flow and schedules with project teams to complete estimates on time.
• Input cost and quantity data into existing databases and prepare cash flow, escalation, and interest calculations.
• Develop Estimate Basis documents and coordinate with engineering on quantities and drawings.
• Lead development of engineering equipment lists and engineering studies and reports.
• Implement project controls and earned value management.

Skills

Cost estimating

Project controls

Scheduling

Communication

Excel proficiency

Teamwork

Engineering oversight

Education

Construction Management, Engineering, or Business Degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.

Sargent and Lundyis looking for an individual who is capable of handling various roles in the project management field including cost estimating, project engineering, and scheduling and project controls. As a Cost Estimator, you will be assigned to work on project activities associated with the following:

• Prepare detailed capital cost estimates using company tools, databases, and historical data
• Perform material quantity take-offs, labor pricing, and work with vendors to obtain material and equipment costing to support the development of construction cost estimates (rough-order-magnitude; conceptual; construction; fair-cost)
• Understand and apply appropriate mark-ups and productivity factors as required
• Coordinate information flow and schedules with project team members to complete estimates on time
• Organize and input cost and quantity information into existing database
• Prepare cash flow, escalation, and interest calculations for estimates
• Develop Estimate Basis documents
• Coordinate with engineering to obtain and validate quantities, scope definitions, drawings, and equipment lists.
• Author and lead the development of engineering equipment lists and engineering studies and reports
• Implement project controls and project management tools and methodology
• Perform CPI/SPI calculations using earned value principles
• Assist project teams in reconciling estimates against budgets, bids, and actual costs, and provide variance explanations.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• Construction Management, Engineering, or Business Degree
• 7 years or more of relevant work experience
• Must understand estimating functions from the conceptual design phase through the construction phase of a project
• Experience with engineering or construction oversight
• Skilled with Excel software and building moderately-complex spreadsheets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with teamwork skills
• Related engineering work experience, which includes project controls, project planning, project scheduling, and earned value performance

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• Related engineering internship, co-op, or work experience, which includes project controls, project planning, project scheduling, and earned value performance, preferably within the power industry
• Familiarity with Primavera P6

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$100,019 - $152,807

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.