Senior Cost Estimator

Job Role Summary: Cost Estimator

Locations: Russellville Arkansas 72802; The Woodlands, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana. Jackson, Mississippi.

Rate: $35-$40/hr on W2; Currently a 4-6 month assignment

The Senior Nuclear Project Estimator is responsible for developing accurate and comprehensive cost estimates for capital and expense projects within a nuclear facility.

Reporting to the Project Controls Manager, this role involves a mix of detailed analytical work and high-level conceptual planning. The successful candidate will operate with significant autonomy to produce total project cost estimates, review and revise capital plans, and provide critical financial data that enables client decision-making. This position requires a strategic thinker who can estimate "leanly" for smaller projects while also managing the complex infrastructure requirements of major capital works, all while maintaining rigorous databases and driving continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimate Development: Produce total project cost estimates (conceptual to detailed) for engineering, construction, and materials to support budget allocation and client expenditure planning.
• Strategic Review: Review and revise estimates within the current capital plan to ensure accuracy and alignment with project goals.
• Value Engineering: Conduct value estimating for all project segments to provide the customer with cost-effective alternatives and critical data for decision-making.
• Flexible Estimation: Execute "lean" estimates for small projects (under $150K) to ensure efficiency, while also preparing conceptual estimates with minimal information to guide early-stage project viability decisions.
• Data Analysis & Productivity: Develop labor productivity rates and "crew up" processes by researching historical project costs to enhance estimate validity, even when specific task information is minimal.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with the estimating team and cost engineers to maintain and upgrade estimating databases, identify bottlenecks, and implement new tools to improve departmental efficiency.
• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare project reports, maintain working documents per client guidelines, and interface across all disciplines (engineering, procurement, construction) to ensure cohesive project execution.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 5 to 10 years of estimating experience, specifically within the nuclear industry.
• Software: Proficiency in WinEst or InEight is highly desired.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.[3]
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to interface with engineering and construction teams and report directly to the Project Controls Manager.