What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Estimator position at Sterling Engineering?
Job Description for Capital Projects Cost Estimator
Role Overview :
This role serves a critical purpose by supporting global capital projects, ensuring compliance with established project delivery and control standards, and delivering creative solutions for project needs.
Key Objectives / Responsibilities :
Provide hands-on support and governance for global capital projects, ensuring compliance with project delivery and control standards.
Use advanced estimating practices, such as life cycle costing, order of magnitude, parametric, and deterministic methods, to create accurate budget estimates.
Collaborate on the development of cost opinions and project schedules for strategic facilities planning, overseeing 20–40 projects annually, with capital values ranging from $100 million to over $1 billion.
Work with planning and scheduling advisors to prepare milestone and CPM project schedules.
Verify that contractor project management systems used for estimating, monitoring, and forecasting project scope, cost, and schedule performance meet minimum requirements.
Conduct periodic evaluations of cost estimating systems and processes, developing and implementing best practices to improve project controls and capital cost estimating programs.
Develop systems for categorizing final costs to create searchable metrics and benchmarks for continuous improvement in estimating and scheduling.
Support program and project managers by reviewing project estimates and budgets prepared internally or by contractors.
Partner with contractors to establish integrated baseline project budgets and / or schedules.
Quantify impacts of proposed changes to baseline scope, cost, and schedules, and support progress and performance analysis for engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
Assist procurement teams with RFP scope, bid breakdowns, bid analysis, and contract administration. Aid in capitalization processes to enable depreciation.
Compliance :
Maintain all SOPs and best practices related to project controls and capital cost estimating, ensuring tools align with industry standards.
Act as a liaison between project managers and finance teams to assist in understanding financial policies.
Interface / Communication :
Develop and maintain effective communication with project teams, business partners, and stakeholders.
Minimum Requirements :
At least 8 years of experience in capital cost management, estimating, and scheduling.
Comprehensive knowledge of cost estimating methods, systems, and tools.
A bachelor's degree in business management, engineering, construction, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications :
Experience in planning / scheduling and cost engineering for major capital projects, particularly in the process industry.
Familiarity with earned value measurement systems for both engineering and construction activities.
Experience developing and implementing integrated baseline control processes for project scope, schedule, and budget.
Knowledge of systems and processes used by engineering and construction contractors in the U.S. market and internationally.
Proficiency with commercial programs such as Oracle Primavera P6, Primavera Risk Analysis, and Microsoft Project.
Experience managing integrated project control systems and business / commercial aspects of major capital projects, including contract negotiation and claims management.
Strong judgment and decision-making abilities with minimal supervision.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work across functional groups and organizations.
Ability to influence without direct administrative authority.
Additional Information :
This position is based in Indianapolis, IN, with up to 20% travel, including potential international travel.
Titles and responsibilities may vary depending on experience level.
