Senior Substation Estimator & Cost Engineer - Remote

GFT; Owings Mills (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Senior Substation Estimator / Cost Engineer to support major electric utility transmission and substation projects. This role can be remote with periodic travel to client offices and project sites.

You will lead estimating within integrated project delivery teams, developing cost estimates, evaluating proposals, supporting procurement, reviewing change orders, and forecasting costs through project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of construction estimating experience.
• Minimum 5 years of estimating electric utility, transmission, or substation projects.
• Experience preparing estimates for projects exceeding $10 million in construction value.
• Strong understanding of utility construction contracting practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed construction cost estimates for utility transmission and substation projects.
• Prepare engineer’s estimates using design drawings, specifications, vendor information, and field data.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for civil, structural, electrical, relay, and commissioning work.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, indirect, escalation, and contingency costs.
• Prepare estimate basis documentation, assumptions, exclusions, and risk assessments.
• Support project authorization packages and funding approval efforts.
• Participate in estimate reviews, validation, and challenge sessions.
• Participate in contractor and supplier procurement activities.
• Prepare bid tabulations and comparative cost analyses.
• Review contractor proposals and evaluate pricing competitiveness.
• Support development of construction procurement packages and technical specifications.
• Assist project teams with contractor selection and award recommendations.
• Review supplier quotations and major equipment pricing.
• Develop and maintain project cash-flow forecasts.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities.
• Monitor project cost performance and identify potential budget risks.
• Support project managers during financial reviews and forecasting cycles.
• Assist with project reporting and cost-status updates.
• Provide cost-risk evaluations and contingency recommendations.
• Review contractor change requests and change orders.
• Prepare independent estimates for contract modifications.
• Analyze labor productivity, equipment costs, and material pricing.
• Support negotiations involving scope changes and construction claims.
• Identify and communicate financial impacts associated with project risks and scope changes.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, construction managers, procurement specialists, and client stakeholders.
• Participate in constructability reviews and risk assessments.
• Support development of project execution plans and cost-control strategies.
• Provide management with clear and concise cost-related analyses and recommendations.
• Assist in development of project funding and authorization packages.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Cost Estimation

Budgeting

Project Cost Forecasting

Contract Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Quantity Surveying/Business

Tools

Estimator software

Job description

GFT is seeking a Senior Substation Estimator / Cost Engineer to support major electric utility transmission and substation projects. This role can be remote with periodic travel to client offices and project sites.

You will lead estimating within integrated project delivery teams, developing cost estimates, evaluating proposals, supporting procurement, reviewing change orders, and forecasting costs through project lifecycles.