Senior Cost Estimator - Federal Sector

Procon Consulting, LLC; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical/dental insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Procon Consulting, LLC seeks a Senior Cost Estimator to deliver independent cost estimates and cost analyses for large-scale capital programs in the Las Vegas area. You will validate budgets, assess risks, and support procurement while coordinating with PMs, schedulers, and engineers.

The role requires a minimum 10 years of estimating experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance. Certifications such as CCP, CCE, PMP, CCM, PE, or RA are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CM/Engineering/Architecture/Quantity Surveying/Business required.
• Minimum 10 years cost estimating experience for design/construction programs.
• Experience developing independent estimates for facilities, infrastructure, or large-scale projects.
• Know-how of construction means, methods, materials, labor, and cost drivers.
• Proficiency with estimating software and MS Office applications.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a NACI/Top Secret security clearance.
• Certifications preferred: CCP, CCE, PMP, CCM, PE, RA or equivalent.
• Experience with federal/aviation/critical facilities projects preferred.
• Experience with Design-Build/CMAR or other collaborative delivery methods preferred.
• Knowledge of cost risk analysis and Monte Carlo methods preferred.
• Familiarity with scheduling platforms and cost-schedule integration.
• Experience supporting programs over $100M in construction value preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain conceptual, parametric, detailed, and independent cost estimates.
• Prepare cost estimates across planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Review and validate contractor, consultant, and vendor pricing proposals.
• Support budget development, funding strategies, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Analyze cost impacts from scope, schedule, risks, and design changes.
• Develop quantity takeoffs and pricing analyses from data and market intel.
• Participate in value engineering and constructability reviews.
• Support procurement, contract negotiation, and commercial strategy.
• Develop life-cycle cost analyses and total cost of ownership.
• Coordinate with schedulers to evaluate escalation and scheduling costs.
• Prepare executive cost reports and narratives.
• Assist contingency development and budget validation.
• Mentor junior estimators and standardize cost management procedures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Security clearance knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CM/Engineering/Architecture/Quantity Surveying/Business

Tools

Estimating software

MS Office

Job description

Procon is a top-ranked construction management and technology consulting firm with 25 years of experience delivering high-impact projects across the U.S. and worldwide. An ENR Top 100 CM/PM firm for five consecutive years, we specialize in program management, project controls, commissioning, and technology—and offer an excellent platform to grow your career while shaping the future of the built environment.

Procon seeks an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to provide independent cost estimating, cost analysis, budget validation, and commercial advisory support for large-scale capital improvement, infrastructure, facility, engineering, and construction programs in the Las Vegas, NV area.

The Senior Cost Estimator will develop and evaluate cost estimates from early conceptual planning through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout. This position is responsible for assessing project affordability, validating budgets, analyzing cost risks, supporting procurement and negotiation activities, and maintaining accurate and independent cost positions throughout the project lifecycle.

The Senior Cost Estimator will collaborate closely with program managers, project managers, schedulers, engineers, architects, construction managers, contractors, and client stakeholders to evaluate project alternatives, identify cost impacts and risks, develop reliable forecasts, and provide cost information that supports informed program and project-level decision-making across multiple concurrent projects. This role requires various skills and experience as listed below.

This position does not offer employment visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of cost estimating experience supporting design and construction programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing independent cost estimates for facilities, infrastructure, or large-scale capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction means, methods, materials, labor, and cost drivers.
• Experience developing estimates from conceptual planning through detailed design and construction.
• Proficiency with estimating software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a NACI/Top Secret security clearance to satisfy project-specific site access and badging requirements.
• Certified Cost Professional (CCP), CCE, PMP, CCM, PE, RA, or equivalent professional certification preferred.
• Experience supporting federal, aviation, mission-critical, industrial, infrastructure, healthcare, laboratory, higher education, or secure facility projects preferred.
• Experience with progressive delivery, Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), or other collaborative project delivery methods preferred.
• Knowledge of cost risk analysis and Monte Carlo methodologies preferred.
• Familiarity with scheduling platforms and cost-schedule integration.
• Experience supporting programs exceeding $100 million in construction value preferred.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and maintain conceptual, parametric, detailed, and independent cost estimates.
• Prepare cost estimates throughout the planning, programming, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases.
• Review and validate contractor, consultant, and vendor pricing proposals.
• Support project budget development, funding strategies, cost forecasting, and financial planning.
• Analyze cost impacts associated with scope changes, schedule changes, project risks, and design alternatives.
• Develop quantity takeoffs and pricing analyses using industry cost databases, historical data, and current market intelligence.
• Participate in value engineering, alternatives analysis, and constructability reviews to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support procurement, contract negotiation, and commercial strategy activities.
• Develop life-cycle cost analyses and total cost of ownership evaluations.
• Coordinate with project schedulers to evaluate escalation, phasing, sequencing, and schedule-related cost impacts.
• Prepare executive-level cost reports, estimate narratives, budget summaries, and presentations.
• Assist with contingency development, management reserve planning, cost reconciliation, and budget validation.
• Mentor junior estimators and establish consistent cost management procedures, estimating methodologies, and program-wide standards.

Physical Requirements

• Walking and standing for extended periods while performing site observations and inspections.
• Navigating active construction areas, including stairs, uneven surfaces, temporary walkways, and varying elevations.
• Occasionally bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing as necessary to observe construction activities.
• Accessing mechanical, electrical, utility, process, and other construction areas as required.
• Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all applicable site safety requirements.
• Working in indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to typical construction-site conditions, including noise, dust, weather, and temperature fluctuations.
• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience.

Procon offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including full medical/dental insurance and 401(K) plan.

Procon is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.