Principal construction cost estimator

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is looking for amazingly talented Principal Construction Cost Estimators to join our team!

This position is remote, but may require occasional travel to job sites nation-wide.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead the development of conceptual, parametric, order-of-magnitude, and detailed construction cost estimates for complex federal programs and projects.
• Analyze designs, drawings, proposals, scopes of work, specifications, and contract documents to develop accurate cost projections and estimates.
• Develop and maintain detailed work breakdown structures, estimate classifications, construction logic, and activity definitions for contracts, projects, and program elements.
• Prepare and summarize estimates, including labor, material, equipment, productivity, efficiency, escalation, and other cost factors used to establish unit costs.
• Support federal clients in developing Independent Government Estimates and reviewing contractor proposals, requests for information, and other cost-related submissions.
• Use applicable estimating software and tools to perform estimate calculations, bid-item development, resource reporting, and work-activity definition.
• Develop scopes of work and supporting documentation to obtain quotations from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Research, validate, and maintain historical cost data from completed projects and contract services for use in future estimates.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, scheduling, project controls, and construction teams to validate quantities, specifications, pricing, project assumptions, and estimate requirements.
• Develop comprehensive basis-of-estimate narratives documenting estimating methodology, scope, pricing sources, escalation, assumptions, exclusions, and other estimate characteristics.
• Lead estimating teams and provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Estimators and Associate Estimators.
• Review estimates prepared by internal staff, subcontractors, and other service providers for completeness, accuracy, clarity, quality, technical development, and compliance with contract requirements and industry best practices.
• Prepare client presentations and clearly communicate estimate results, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and recommendations to clients and project leadership.
• Support the development of project teams by coordinating with estimating resources in other offices, new hires, and specialty subcontractors.
• Deliver quality-controlled estimates for assigned projects and programs.
• Perform other responsibilities associated with this position as appropriate.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• 10 or more years of progressive construction cost estimating experience, including significant experience supporting complex federal construction programs.
• Experience reviewing designs and developing cost estimates for federal facilities and related infrastructure, including vertical construction, industrial facilities, marine infrastructure, utilities, and other complex assets.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent construction-related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex estimating assignments, review estimates prepared by others, and provide technical direction to estimating teams.
• Thorough knowledge of construction processes, cost-estimating methods, industry practices, labor and material pricing, equipment rates, productivity factors, and unit-cost development.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, scopes of work, contract documents, and other technical information.
• Experience using construction cost-estimating software or cost databases such as MCACES, PACES, RSMeans, CostWorks, Timberline, Success Estimator, or comparable platforms.
• Experience using Bluebeam Revu or comparable quantity-takeoff and document-review software.
• Experience preparing estimate narratives, cost summaries, pricing analyses, and supporting documentation.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and client-presentation skills.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to pass required federal background checks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites nationwide.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Broad experience developing and reviewing estimates for federal facilities and infrastructure, including barracks, classroom and training facilities, marine docks, ship repair or dry dock facilities, administrative buildings, data centers, utilities, and related infrastructure.
• Experience supporting federal agencies or clients such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, or other federal organizations.
• Experience preparing and reviewing Independent Government Estimates.
• Experience preparing, validating, and maintaining material takeoffs across multiple construction disciplines, including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation and controls, HVAC, fire protection, telecommunications, and utilities.
• Proficiency in preparing or supporting material requisitions, requests for quotation, and purchase order documentation.
• Ability to coordinate with engineering and procurement teams to verify specifications, technical documentation, material codes, quantities, and required delivery dates.
• Experience aligning procurement activities and requisition timelines with project schedules, fabrication requirements, and construction priorities.
• Professional certification such as AACE Certified Cost Professional, Certified Construction Manager, Project Management Professional, or an equivalent credential.
• Professional registration, such as Professional Engineer, preferred.
• Experience developing historical cost databases, cost models, and estimating standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary estimating teams and mentoring junior estimating staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Security Clearance Requirement:

None

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range:

$112,200.00 - $196,400.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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