Senior Cost Estimator

Meridian Technologies; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Consulting Solutions is seeking a Principal Project Controls Estimator to lead complex estimating and project controls for large-scale natural gas EPC/EPCM projects in Charlotte, NC. The role requires a proven estimating lead background and hands-on experience with detailed cost models and risk analysis.

The ideal candidate will collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, and project management teams, and will mentor junior staff while guiding multi-million-dollar initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading large-scale cost estimates for EPC/EPCM projects.
• Proven ability to develop bottoms-up and parametric cost models.
• Strong cost forecasting, risk and contingency analysis, and benchmarking.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and review of detailed cost estimates across scopes.
• Perform cost normalization, labor productivity analysis, and trend analysis.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction, and project controls teams.
• Support estimate reviews and deliver management presentations.
• Coach junior Cost/Estimation Analysts and project controls staff.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Training/documentation

Education

Four-year degree in a relevant field

Master's degree in business/engineering or related field

PMI or AACE certification preferred

Tools

InEight

Primavera P6

MS Project

MS Office

Maximo/EAM

PeopleSoft

Job description

Location: Onsite – Charlotte, NC

Contract duration: 12 month contract with potential to extend or convert

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Principal Project Controls Estimator to lead complex estimating and project controls activities for large-scale natural gas and EPC/EPCM projects. This is a senior-level role requiring proven estimating lead experience—candidates who have only provided estimating support will not be considered. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing detailed bottoms-up and parametric cost estimates, performing cost analysis, forecasting, benchmarking, risk and contingency analysis, and supporting estimate reviews for multi-million-dollar or high-risk projects. This individual will work closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and project controls teams while providing leadership and guidance to other estimating/project controls professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and review of detailed cost estimates for natural gas projects across engineering, procurement, and construction scopes.
• Develop bottoms-up and parametric estimates from conceptual through definitive project phases.
• Lead and review quantity take-offs (QTOs) and validate quantities as needed.
• Perform cost normalization, benchmarking, labor productivity analysis, and cost comparisons.
• Develop and evaluate risk, contingency, escalation, and indirect costs.
• Perform forecasting, cost alignment to schedules, variance analysis, trending, burn-rate analysis, budgeting, and change control.
• Support estimate reviews and prepare cost analysis and management presentations.
• Collaborate with project controls, engineering, procurement, construction, and project management teams.
• Develop and maintain project controls reporting systems and analytical processes.
• Work with large and complex datasets to identify trends, risks, variances, and potential solutions.
• Lead complex assignments with minimal supervision.
• Provide coaching and guidance to less-experienced Cost/Estimation Analysts and Project Controls professionals.
• Support projects with significant budgets, complex scopes, or elevated risk profiles.

Required Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in training, teaching, facilitation, or instructional roles.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Experience delivering classroom, virtual, or hands-on training.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety and compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple departments.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, including maintaining training documentation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and digital training documentation.

Requirements

• 9+ years of project controls experience with a four-year degree, or 11+ years of project controls experience in lieu of a degree.
• Proven estimating lead experience with responsibility for developing and/or leading project estimates.
• Strong experience with EPC or EPCM project scopes.
• Experience working on multi-million-dollar or high-risk projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in project controls methodologies, cost management, forecasting, and analysis.
• Advanced to expert-level Microsoft Excel skills and experience building complex Excel-based cost models.
• Experience with professional estimating tools such as InEight.
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, indirect costs, escalation, contingency, and risk.
• Experience with cost alignment to schedules, variance analysis, trending, burn rates, and change control.
• Ability to work with large datasets and learn unfamiliar software quickly.
• Experience working within a PMO, project controls, or project management environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to lead complex assignments and collaborate effectively across engineering, construction, procurement, and project management teams.
• Must be able to work onsite in Charlotte, NC, five days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated, utility, energy, or safety-critical environment.
• Prior natural gas, pipeline, power, or utility project experience.
• Experience with Primavera P6, MS Project, MS Office, Prolog, Visio, Access, Business Objects, Maximo/EAM, PeopleSoft, or similar project controls applications.
• Experience with risk management tools and Monte Carlo analysis.
• PMI or AACE certification such as PMP, CAPM, PMI-SP, AACE-CCC, AACE-PSP, AACE-CEP, or AACE-EVP.
• Master's degree in business, finance, project management, engineering, or a related field.
• Prior experience supporting utility capital projects.

Do you now or in the future require sponsorship (e.g. H-1B)? Y/N

EEO and ADA Statement:

Consulting Solutions and its family of companies is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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