Estimating Manager

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW Blue Energy is transforming how nuclear power gets built. Instead of constructing each plant on-site from scratch - a process that takes 10-15 years and is too expensive and unpredictable to finance - we build our plants like ships: in a factory, on an assembly line, then transport and assemble them at the site. This cuts costs by over 60% and brings plants online in just three years. We also pair natural gas with nuclear at our sites, so customers can start receiving power from gas turbines right away and then switch over to clean nuclear power once it comes online - getting energy to the grid faster while nuclear is being built. Our mission is to make nuclear energy abundant, affordable, and repeatable at global scale. We use proven, already-approved reactor designs and work with existing nuclear and industrial sites, giving us a faster path to regulatory approval. By manufacturing this way, we put nuclear power on the same cost-reduction curve that has made wind, solar, and batteries cheaper every year. ROLE SUMMARY The Estimating Manager is responsible for managing estimating teams and subcontractors for developing, validating, and maintaining capital cost estimates for major industrial, power generation, infrastructure, or energy projects on behalf of the owner. This position may provide independent estimate oversight throughout project development, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases. The role serves as the owner's primary estimating authority and is responsible for estimate governance, benchmarking, contractor estimate validation, risk-based cost forecasting, scope development support, and executive cost reporting. The successful candidate will lead estimating efforts from conceptual studies through final investment decisions while ensuring estimates accurately reflect project scope, execution strategy, schedule, market conditions, and risk. The Estimating Manager will be responsible for evaluation of submitted estimates and proposal estimates from bidders or other parties as well as evaluation of supplier submitted change order estimate and other third party estimating scopes. The required estimates will include overall major project estimates and various infrastructure or scope of work estimates. The estimates will be performed by the estimating manager and/or estimating subcontractors under the direction and supervision of the Estimating Manager. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Estimating Leadership - Lead preparation of Class 5 through Class 1 estimates in accordance with AACE International recommended practices. - Develop estimate plans, methodologies, assumptions, exclusions, and basis-of-estimate documents for use by estimating teams. - Establish estimate work breakdown structures (WBS) aligned with project execution and cost-control systems. - Manage estimating resources, consultants, and subcontractors. - Manage interface and support from internal and external subject matter experts for estimate input and support. - Ensure estimating consistency across all project phases and portfolios. Cost Estimate Development (supervision and management) - Develop conceptual, feasibility, preliminary, budgetary, and definitive estimates as applicable to the requirements. - Prepare quantity-based estimates utilizing engineering deliverables and design information. - Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontract, indirect cost, and owner cost estimates. - Evaluate escalation, market conditions, productivity factors, and regional construction influences. - Generate cash flow forecasts and estimate reconciliation reports. Contractor Estimate Review and Validation - Independently review EPC, EPCM, engineering, procurement, and construction contractor estimates. - Identify estimating risks, omissions, duplication, and scope gaps. - Challenge contractor assumptions and validate pricing methodologies. - Perform estimate benchmarking against historical projects and industry databases. - Support commercial evaluations during procurement and contract negotiations. Risk and Uncertainty Analysis - Facilitate project risk workshops focused on cost uncertainty. - Develop contingency recommendations using quantitative and qualitative risk methods. - Support probabilistic estimating and Monte Carlo analysis when applicable. - Identify emerging cost risks and opportunities throughout project development. - Maintain estimate risk registers and confidence ranges. Scope and Change Management - Support scope development and maturity assessments. - Evaluate cost impacts associated with scope changes and design development. - Provide independent estimate validation for Management of Change (MOC) processes. - Support value engineering and cost optimization initiatives. - Ensure estimate updates reflect approved scope modifications. - Support scenario evaluation for value engineering or other purposes. Project Controls Integration - Coordinate closely with scheduling, procurement, engineering, and construction teams. - Ensure all estimating work scope conform to Blue Energy Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). - Integrate estimate data into project controls and forecasting systems. - Support establishment of project control budgets and control accounts. - Assist with earned value and performance measurement setup where applicable. - Support development of project authorization and funding packages. Reporting and Management Support - Prepare estimate summaries for management, executive leadership, investment committees, lenders, and stakeholders. - Present estimate status, contingency recommendations, and cost confidence levels. - Develop estimate comparison reports identifying variances between estimate versions. - Support board-level and financing presentations involving project economics and capital requirements. QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, or related discipline. - Minimum 10 years of estimating experience on large industrial, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, or EPC projects. - Minimum 5 years in a lead or management role overseeing estimating activities. - Demonstrated experience preparing estimates exceeding $100 million in TIC (Total Installed Cost). - Strong understanding of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project controls processes. - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and estimating software platforms. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience supporting owner organizations on major capital projects. - Nuclear, power generation or heavy industrial experience. - CCP (Certified Cost Professional), CEP (Certified Estimating Professional), PMP, or equivalent certification. - Experience with AACE estimating classifications and recommended practices. - Familiarity with EcoSys, Primavera P6, Aspen Capital Cost Estimator, Cleopatra, Timberline, WinEst, or similar estimating systems. - Experience or familiarity with off-site fabrication and modularization estimating. - Experience and familiarity with Owner’s contingency management practices. We look forward to your application and helping foster an era of safe, clean, affordable, and abundant energy. Blue Energy is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this or other roles at Blue Energy now or in the future.