Cost Estimator - Wind

Summary Reporting to the Director of Procurement Operations, the Cost Estimator is responsible for producing preliminary wind cost estimates and managing cost reporting for ~3 GW pipeline of utility-scale wind projects throughout the U.S. The Cost Estimator will interface directly with multiple functional groups within the organization including Business Development, Origination, Project Development, Contracts, Engineering, Procurement, Project Finance, Project Controls, Construction, and Operations to coordinate and finalize with project team on matters of scope, schedule, and quantity as it relates to fixed costs at contracting and variable cost risk during construction. In addition to delivering current and future cost models, the Cost Estimator will be responsible for developing and maintaining a suite of estimating tools, processes, and internal procedures to manage this scope at scale, across multiple business units. This position will be working remotely.  


Principle Responsibilities/Key Results Areas

• Responsible for completing cost estimates for large, complex utility-scale wind projects and identify variable cost risks depending on project stage and providing a comprehensive supporting basis for estimating based on the identified project design requirements
• Maintain and improve the cost estimating tool and procedures utilized for development, contracting, and acquisition due diligence to improve estimating accuracy, cost efficiency and avoiding gaps
• Enforce consistent estimating process, source data, collaborating with subject matter experts to develop customized responses to specific solicitations and ensure cost estimating are aligned with project’s assumptions
• Support the review and analysis of vendor bids received related to scope, schedule, major equipment, and project execution costs and provide feedback on the results to project team.
• Support cross-functional proposal response team to ensure alignment between scope of offer and price, including variable cost risk, commercial terms, guarantees, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Work closely with the internal subject matter experts including Development Engineering and Project Engineering teams to provide cost input on design optimization, value engineering, and constructability reviews
• Support the aggregation of all market bids received and cost estimates created for the integration into the forward-looking technology and cost roadmap
• Facilitate and support development of critical cost related management reports in support of regularly occurring management meetings and key capital expense approvals
• Partner with Construction and Project Controls teams in identifying cost related lessons learned for integration into the estimating tool
• Create and maintain a project cost library including historical and current information (bids, estimates and contracted) 

Requirements Knowledge & Skills

• Strong estimating skills for Mechanical, Structural, Civil, and Electrical trades
• Knowledge of latest labor costs forecasts, city cost index and material pricing
• Proficiency reading blue prints, specifications, bid documents, and performing quantity take-offs
• Demonstrates familiarity with the technical components that comprise a renewable energy project proposal and ability to conduct technical due diligence
• Proficiency with various software programs used in Estimating, such as MC2/ICE, Timberline, Bluebeam Revu, AutoCAD LT, Primavera P6, MS Project
• Excellent verbal and written communication; strong organization skills
• Proficiency with computer software programs (i.e., e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet and project management)
• Capable of describing, presenting, and supporting how cost estimates were calculated
• Team player, willingness to work in collaboration with other teams from other functional groups

Experience & Education

• B.S. or Associates degree in Construction Management/Engineering/Project Management/Cost Engineering or a related field
• Minimum 3+ years of experience with project development, cost estimating, and project planning in the renewable energy construction industry on capital intensive projects from conception to completion.
• Previous experience creating project cost estimates, managing cost databases, and reconciling estimated costs with actuals
• Experience reviewing and rationalizing cost indices and commodities and logistics market forecast data

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.