Utility Estimator – Distribution, Transmission & Substation

CARIAN; Washington; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Comprehensive benefits

Bonus incentives

Job summary

CARIAN, a woman-owned consulting firm focused on the power sector, seeks a Utility Estimator to support cost estimating and controls across major electric utility capital programs in Washington, DC. The role requires developing and validating estimates for distribution, transmission, and substation work, with frequent on-site client engagement.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of relevant experience, a Bachelor's degree in a technical field, PMP certification (or plan to obtain within 3 months),

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years of utility project management experience.
• PMP certification required or commitment to obtain within 3 months.
• Experience with Exelon-family utilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review cost estimates for utility capital projects
• Support estimate validation and benchmarking
• Coordinate with engineering and construction teams
• Track estimate accuracy and cost forecasting
• Assist with change orders and cost impact analysis
• Support program reporting and cost controls
• Participate in site visits as required

Skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional coordination

Cost estimation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Construction/Business

PMP certification

Job description

Utility Estimator – Distribution, Transmission & Substation

Location: Washington, DC (Client Site – Penn Quarter)

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $110k - $150k Annual Base Salary

About Us

CARIAN is a purpose-driven, woman-owned consulting and advisory firm dedicated exclusively to the power sector. We partner with leading electric and gas utilities to provide strategic advisory and disciplined execution across program management, business intelligence, and field execution oversight. Guided by integrity, trust, excellence, and accountability, our team helps deliver complex capital programs and build the resilient energy infrastructure that communities depend on.

Position Overview

CARIAN is seeking a Utility Estimator to support cost estimating and controls across major electric utility capital programs. The ideal candidate brings strong experience developing and validating estimates for distribution, transmission, and substation work and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, client-embedded environment.

All positions require a minimum of three days per week on-site at the client or CARIAN office, frequent visits to active job sites, and may require full five-day on-site presence based on program needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and review cost estimates for utility capital projects
• Support estimate validation and benchmarking
• Coordinate with engineering and construction teams
• Track estimate accuracy and support cost forecasting
• Assist with change order and cost impact analysis
• Support program reporting and cost controls
• Participate in site visits as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related technical field required.
• Experience Level: 8+ years of relevant utility project management experience
• Demonstrated experience supporting electric distribution programs
• PMP certification required or commitment to obtain within 3 months of employment
• Experience with Exelon-family utilities strongly preferred (Pepco, ACE, DPL, PECO, BGE, ComEd)
• If not Exelon, experience with Northeast or Mid-Atlantic utilities preferred
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills
• Must reside within the DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia footprint
• Willingness to support frequent job site visits and on-site work

Why CARIAN

• Purpose-driven work – Help deliver infrastructure that powers communities
• Industry reputation – Trusted by leading utilities for our reliability and results
• Career growth – Opportunities to lead major programs and mentor high-performing teams
• Collaborative culture – Join a team that values delivery excellence and long-term relationships
• Competitive total rewards – Strong compensation, full benefits, 401(k) match, and meaningful work

Equal Employment Opportunity

CARIAN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire and develop talent based on qualifications, performance, and business needs. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. As a woman-owned firm dedicated to the power sector, we are committed to building a team that reflects professionalism, expertise, and integrity at every level.

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $110,000 – $150,000 annually. This range represents a good-faith estimate at the time of posting; actual compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and other factors permitted by law. In addition to base salary, the role includes eligibility for bonus incentives, a comprehensive benefits package, and a company 401(k) match.