Cost Estimator

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.

Are you ready to join us on this journey?

As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.  Lochner – learn more about us

We are currently seeking a Mid-Level Estimator to support design and construction management on a major public transit infrastructure program in the Seattle region. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the successful delivery of complex, high-impact transit projects by providing accurate, data-driven cost estimating in alignment with agency standards and federal funding requirements. The successful candidate will bring experience in transit infrastructure estimating, a working knowledge of Sound Transit’s estimating methodologies, and proficiency with leading industry tools including HeavyBid, Primavera, and cost controls systems. Please note this is a hybrid role. 

Your impact:

• Prepare detailed cost estimates across all phases of design: conceptual, preliminary, intermediate, final, and construction release.
• Support cost control by ensuring estimates align with program-level work breakdown structures (WBS) across cost management and scheduling platforms such as Oracle, PRISM, and Primavera.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Engineering Leads, and Project Controls personnel to ensure accuracy and traceability of estimates.
• Assist in producing monthly forecasting updates, including assessments of remaining quantities, escalation, and market condition trends.
• Conduct detailed cost/price analysis to support budgeting, change order evaluation, and contract negotiations.
• Participate in value engineering, risk assessments, and lifecycle cost analysis activities.
• Review and support negotiations of change orders, ensuring alignment with cost estimating assumptions and benchmarks.
• Provide peer review and quality control for cost estimates prepared by other team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or a related technical field.
• 7–10 years of experience in construction cost estimating, ideally for public transit or heavy civil infrastructure.
• Prior experience supporting Sound Transit projects or other large, publicly funded transportation agencies is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Sound Transit’s cost estimating methodologies, cost reference guides, and cost reporting practices is highly desired.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools:
  • HeavyBid – required
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of federal cost control and reporting standards, including FTA’s Standard Cost Categories (SCCs), is a plus.
• Ability to communicate complex cost data clearly and work collaboratively.

Who you are:

Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.

Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
• Paid Family Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match 
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
• Education and Training Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service

What we offer – Learn more

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

 Physical Requirements

The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights. 

 Equal Employer

Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.

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Salary : $107,000 - $134,000