Senior Cost Estimator

HDR, Inc.; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator in San Antonio, TX to support the Federal Business Group within EOC. You will develop capital costs, baselines, and risk assessments for multi-discipline projects.

The ideal candidate holds a Civil Eng or Construction Mgmt degree with 10+ years of estimating experience, proficient in MS Office and estimating tools, and able to lead small to mid-size projects. This is a full‑time on-site role in Texas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Eng., Construction Management, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of related estimating experience.
• Strong MS Office skills and ability to lead estimates.
• Experience interpreting schedules and developing unit rates.
• Able to lead small project estimates.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
• Sponsorship (visa) for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position

Responsibilities

• Perform general or discipline cost estimating and generate capital cost estimates.
• Produce Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) based on project requirements and scope.
• Develop crew models and unit rates for discipline items.
• Identify and obtain vendor quotes for major cost drivers with data sources.
• Prepare basis and assumption documentation and risk analysis.
• Identify and track changes in design resulting in cost variations; development of variance reports
• Prepare services, distributable, contractor indirect and/or indirect cost estimates in specialized discipline areas using current techniques and market pricing
• Prepare detailed Job Office Cost models to capture labor/other direct costs (ODC’s)Prepare cost/schedule products for planning and design deliverables
• Prepare cost/schedule products for planning and design deliverables
• Participate in estimate reviews and presentations as appropriate
• Work within assigned budget and time parameters to deliver products in a timely basis

Skills

Leadership

Cost estimating

MS Office

Project estimation

Verbal & written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree

Tools

PACES

MCACES

RS Means

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Environmental, Operations and Construction (EOC) operates within HDR’s Federal Business Group, capable of delivering services across all HDR business groups at any location. Our work is performed by our professional staff, scientists and engineers at remote sites, embedded in client office space or our own facilities. EOC delivers quality engineering, environmental, and construction management services at competitive prices.

In the role of Senior Cost Estimator, we'll count on you to:

• Perform general or discipline cost estimating generating capital cost and/or services estimates
• Perform quantity takeoffs from conceptual or design drawings for multidiscipline sections and customize forms to reflect
  best effort
• Produce Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) based on project requirements and scope; coordinate with schedule
  breakdown
• Produce capital costs estimate using a unit-cost, or crew-based, approach including formation of crews from multiple
  disciplines
• Develop appropriate crew models for use in development of estimated construction cost
• Perform local market labor rate analysis for determination of appropriate labor rates
• Develop unit rates for discipline specific items
• Identify, solicit, and obtain vendor quotes for major cost drivers, properly identifying source and cost data int each
  estimate
• Prepare basis and assumption documentation denoting rationale, inclusions and exclusions
• Prepare detailed notes, assumptions, and documentation in support of estimate development included Basis of Estimate
  and Construction Methodology documentation
• Identify and track changes in design resulting in cost variations; development of variance reports
• Prepare services, distributable, contractor indirect and/or indirect cost estimates in specialized discipline areas using
  current techniques and market pricing
• Prepare detailed Job Office Cost models to capture labor/other direct costs (ODC’s)Prepare cost/schedule products for planning and design deliverables
• Prepare cost/schedule products for planning and design deliverables
• Participate and support cost & schedule identification and reconciliation meetings
• Calculate fee (profit) based on established fee (profit) model
• Identify and develop appropriate escalation based on current market conditions
• Support risk analysis assessment by identifying areas of risk and potential cost impacts
• Support development of reasonable contingency for projects in design
• Develop appropriate markups for direct costs, contractor assignments, owner’s markups, and justifications
• Perform data analysis, identify problems and make recommendations
• Identify or define data sources and techniques for data acquisition
• Prepare reports and estimate summaries for estimate reviews, as directed by supervisor
• Participate in estimate reviews and presentations as appropriate
• Work within assigned budget and time parameters to deliver products in a timely basis
• Use parametric and other estimating practices to decrease time needed while still achieving a complete estimate
• Execute simultaneous tasks within broadly defined parameters
• Provide technical direction to other personnel when delegated
• Carry out all activities required for estimate deliverable, including Initial kickoff/communication with PM, preparation of Requests for information and maintaining accurate documentation
• Provide feedback on the level of effort (LOE) required to complete work if needed
• Provide input on the level of effort required (cost/job hours) through coordination with functions and/or vendors, and
  consolidate input for costing
• Volunteer to accept pending estimating jobs or seek out more estimating needs
• Prepare reports per regulatory guidance
• Follow QC and QA procedures
• Submit work to maintain and increase professionalism
• Support training activities as needed
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications (one or more): CPE, CCT, CEP, PSP, EVP, PMI-SP, PMP, CCM, PRMP, DRMP, PE
• Ability to interpret construction schedules
• Ability to develop electronic takeoffs
• Proficient in use of PACES, MCACES, or RS Means Estimating Software
• Experience with NAVFAC or USAF projects, estimating guidance, and requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Construction Science Engineering or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years' related experience
• Advanced understanding of Microsoft Office software
• Advanced understanding of construction estimating concepts, construction scheduling and elements associated with Risk
• Able to lead small project estimates
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Sponsorship (visa) for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United States-Texas-San Antonio

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Project Controls

Job Posting

Oct 14, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Aff… Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.