Senior Cost Estimator

Above Group, Inc.; Ellicott City (MD); Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

HSA contributions

Profit-sharing bonus

Job summary

Above Group is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will serve as lead estimator on assigned projects and be the point of contact when a dollar figure is involved.

This senior role includes building and maintaining the department’s unit-cost database and historical cost library, setting standards, and influencing project selection and pricing strategy.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years in cost estimating, general contracting, or related construction work.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• General contracting background strongly preferred with field and/or estimating experience.
• Estimating experience in government and healthcare markets preferred.
• Experience benchmarking labor and material costs against historical data and quotes.
• Working knowledge of estimating platforms and takeoff tools listed above.
• Revit and AutoCAD to extract quantities and review MEP documents.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, macros).
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to engage with clients and leadership.
• Independent, organized, detail oriented with collaborative mindset.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; travel up to 20% for site visits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects through all design phases.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from Revit and AutoCAD with BIM/design teams.
• Resolve gaps between design, scope, and budget via value engineering and cost-benefit analysis.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, fee proposals, and comparative models for BD.
• Write BOE narratives, cost reports, scope clarifications, and RFIs responses.
• Build and maintain unit-cost database, historical cost library, estimating standards.
• Keep estimates current with codes, fees, bidding conditions, labor rates, and pricing.
• Review concepts with engineering leads to align design with budgets.

Skills

Cost estimation

Communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

RSMeans

Sage Estimating/Accubid

ConEst

WinEst

Bluebeam Revu

On-Screen Takeoff

Revit

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Cost Estimator (SCE)

Remote | Hybrid option: Melbourne, FL or Ellicott City, MD

Salary Range: $125,000-$150,000

The Role

Above Group is looking for a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on our design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will serve as lead estimator on assigned projects and be the person engineers, project managers, and clients turn to when a design decision has a dollar figure attached. Our portfolio leans heavily toward government and healthcare work, where estimates must be accurate, defensible, and tied tightly to scope.

This is a senior role with real latitude. You will build and maintain the department’s master unit-cost database and historical cost library, set the standards and templates the team estimates by, and directly influence which projects we pursue and how we price them.

What You'll Do

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects at every design phase, conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents, and own their accuracy and consistency; serving as lead estimator on assigned projects
• Perform quantity takeoffs directly from Revit and AutoCAD models alongside our BIM and design teams
• Resolve gaps between design intent, scope, and budget through value engineering and cost-benefit analysis
• Prepare conceptual budgets, fee proposals, and comparative cost models supporting business development for prospective clients and projects
• Write basis-of-estimate (BOE) narratives, cost reports, scope clarifications, and qualifications/exclusions; respond to RFIs
• Build and maintain the department’s unit-cost database, historical cost library, and estimating standards
• Keep estimates current with code requirements, jurisdictional fees, local bidding conditions, labor rates, and material pricing
• Review design concepts with engineering leads and project managers to align design intent with project budgets

What you Bring to the Role

• 6-10 years in cost estimating, general contracting, or related construction work (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent field/trade experience considered
• General contracting background strongly preferred, with hands-on field and/or estimating experience
• Estimating experience in the government and healthcare markets strongly preferred
• Experience benchmarking labor and material costs against historical data, vendor quotes, and subcontractor pricing
• Working knowledge of estimating platforms (RSMeans, Sage Estimating/Accubid, ConEst, WinEst, Trade Service) and takeoff tools (Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar)
• Enough Revit and AutoCAD to extract quantities and review MEP design documents
• Proficient knowledge of computers and Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word); Advanced Excel: pivot tables, formulas, macros
• Familiarity with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, telecommunications, and fire protection systems as they relate to cost, constructability, and market pricing
• Strong understanding of general contracting practices, bid processes, subcontractor scope leveling, and contractor cost coding (CSI MasterFormat)
• Strong written and verbal communication; you can hold your own with clients, contractors, and senior leadership
• Ability to work independently/self-motivated, as well as in a collaborative team setting, highly organized, and detail oriented
• Impactful analytical, strategic planning, with the ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously
• Discretion and dependability with sensitive cost and client information
• U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for site visits and client meetings

Nice to have: ASPE Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), AACE Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or similar certification.

Why Above Group

We are a faith-based AEC firm built around a simple idea: continuously improving the built environment for the glory of God. Our mission is to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ by empowering excellent AEC professionals to provide superior service. Four values guide how we work: Christian Values, Uncompromising Quality, Buffalo (running toward challenges rather than away from them), and Extreme Team. If that resonates with you, you will fit here.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, employer-funded HSA contributions, and an annual profit-sharing bonus tied to the company’s collective results.

Remote Work Requirements

This role is fully remote or a hybrid option for candidates residing near Melbourne, FL or Ellicott City, MD. Any type of remote work requires reliable high-speed internet capable of supporting video conferencing, VPN, and cloud applications; a secure home network appropriate for confidential company and client information; and a dedicated, quiet workspace suitable for sustained focus and professional video meetings.