Senior Estimator - Opportunity Shaping

Chevron; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Chevron is seeking a Senior Estimator to shape opportunities and lead cost estimating for major capital projects in the Houston area. The role focuses on developing and maintaining cost estimates, BoE, and alignment with CPMS standards, coordinating with engineering, procurement, and project management teams.

The position requires strong cost engineering expertise, experience with offshore/onshore projects, and the ability to mentor team members in cost estimating practices and software tools.

Qualifications

• The candidate has proven experience applying standardized cost engineering processes across major capital projects.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of project cost estimates and BoE aligned with CPMS standards and schedules.
• Develop and maintain an estimate plan for early project phases.
• Collaborate with opportunity shaping, execution, engineering, procurement, and PM teams on cost refinement.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost engineering

Communication

Team collaboration

Risk analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

QUE$TOR

Monte Carlo simulations

Job description

Chevron is accepting online applications for the position Senior Estimator - Opportunity Shaping through October 13th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m (Central Time).

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Project Cost Estimates and Basis of Estimate (BoE) in alignment with Chevron Project Management System (CPMS) standards and requirements, including but limited to, WBS, OBS, Project Schedules, Resource and Staffing Plan and integration with funding request documentation.
• Lead development and maintenance of Estimate Plan for various early phases of the project, in alignment with CPMS standards and requirements.
• Collaborate with opportunity shaping, execution, engineering, procurement. and project management teams to verify and refine estimated costs for materials, labor, and indirect expenses.
• Provide accurate cost projections and alternatives scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making
• Integrate contingency planning, escalation factors, and risk analysis into cost estimates.
• Mentor and train team members on best practices in cost estimating and software tools.
• Develop cost estimates, identifying variances, review and validate contractor's estimates and engineering studies.
• Develop and implement procedures which tie estimates and budgets to appropriate project team members
• Coordinate and support Cost Estimates Assurance Review engagements, ensuring deliverables are comprehensive, accurate and aligned with Cost Engineering standards and project needs.
• Perform cost estimate coordination and oversight of contractor cost estimates, ensuring cost estimates are: - Consistent, comprehensive and accurate.
• Participate in cost and schedule risk assessment engagements, ensuring contingency is properly determined and incorporated in cost estimate and budgets.
• Proactively support development of cost model in advance of the risk assessment engagements to ensure consistency and alignment with CPMS standards.
• Ensure Project Cost Estimates and Basis of Estimate (BoE) are revised with revision control, based upon cost assumptions and any cost estimate changes.
• Participate in developing Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) as basis for project budgeting, cost control and forecasting.
• Critically review and analyze productivity and resource estimates, identifying impacts on cost and schedule, challenging the contractor's estimates as needed.
• Proactively support generation of quality cost estimating & budgeting reports and required documents for project Funding Appropriation and Business Planning.
• Support Project Management of Change (MOC) processes and procedures.
• Evaluate contingency to establish appropriate contingency drawdown strategy required to complete the project based on proper risk analysis.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of standardized Cost Engineering Data work processes and tools (internal and external benchmarking, statistical analysis and regressions, cost estimating, cost and schedule assurance, etc.) throughout all phases of a major capital project.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a high collaborative environment, multitask, and operate with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with execution of large upstream and downstream projects. (onshore and offshore)
• Bachelor's degree.
• Proficiency in QUE$TOR or equivalent offshore estimating software.
• Experience with Monte Carlo simulations or other risk-based estimating techniques
• 5+ years of estimating and/or project controls experience in the Oil and Gas industry.
• Offshore Estimator, Early Concept Estimator with Exploration knowledge and New Country Entry Experience.