Senior Project Cost Estimator

Urban Grid, a leading independent power producer, facilitates a rapid and sustainable energy transition by developing high-quality renewable energy projects, fostering community partnerships, and serving as a good land steward. Our company is positioned to own and operate its facilities while cultivating a land management system that benefits farmers, communities, and the natural world through agrivoltaics. Urban Grid maintains a delivery-focused approach with the goal of being a good neighbor, corporate citizen, and trusted energy solutions partner. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with teams situated strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has a long history of contributing to the clean energy economy. In addition to 940 megawatts currently under construction, we are actively developing a growing portfolio of more than 12,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

 Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, a hybrid work environment and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry.

Job Summary:

The Senior Project Cost Estimator plays a crucial role at Urban Grid by planning & leading cost estimating efforts of utility scale solar projects.  The incumbent shall apply standard estimating concepts, practices, and company procedures in developing estimates and provide guidance & leadership to project delivery, project development, and valuation teams on capex related topics.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of comprehensive cost estimates for utility-scale solar projects, including materials, labor, equipment, and overhead costs, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Support Project Managers to develop budgets for EPC scope.
• Develop various classes of estimates based on the project stage using AACE classifications.
• Build engagement models with third-party estimators and review and own estimates developed by them.
• Advise various teams, including project delivery, project development, and M&A on matters related to capital expenditure as a Subject Matter Expert.
• Present and defend estimates with stakeholders, including senior management, lenders, the Urban Grid board, and others.

Tools / Modeling

• Develop, enhance, and maintain cost estimating models. Collaborate with project development, performance engineering, project delivery, construction management, and engineering teams to proof-check models.
• Develop and implement input requirements checklists for different classes of estimates.
• Prepare estimating take-offs from drawings and specifications in collaboration with engineering.
• Develop and implement mechanisms to apply inflation/escalation to estimates.
• Create basis of estimate documents and presentations.

Data collection & Benchmarking

• Develop and implement benchmarking mechanisms to evaluate estimates.
• Gather and analyze as-built/as-contracted data from past projects.
• Maintain cost matrices and databases, categorized by state and utility.
• Develop and maintain market intelligence on prices and capacities of commodities, labor, equipment, key vendors, etc.
• Connect with internal teams to stay updated on the current market.
• Maintain a cost estimation lessons-learned database and refine estimates accordingly.
• Work with the Contracts and Procurement team to issue RFIs to obtain indicative pricing

• Collaborate with project teams to identify risks that could impact costs. Use quantitative and qualitative techniques to estimate risk-based contingency requirements and accuracy ranges for projects.

• Run constructability workshops to document challenges in construction and their impact on costs.
• Participate in RFP cycles to review bid estimates and analyze data, providing clarifications to bidders.
• Support project managers in reviewing change orders by contractors during construction.
• Conduct monthly cost estimation guidance calls to align with the broader organization.

Location: Based in Houston, TX with a hybrid/ remote work schedule. Occasional travel.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in cost estimation, with at least 2 years in solar project estimation.
• Detailed knowledge of estimating fundamentals.
• Demonstrated understanding of Fixed Price, Time & Materials, Cost Plus, and Unit contract pricing mechanisms.
• Proficiency in utilizing estimation software and tools such as RSMeans, PVWatts, B2W, WinEst, or equivalent.
• Experience in creating and maintaining standard estimating models.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Professional certification in cost estimation is an added advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to think and work independently, effectively, and efficiently.

Benefits

Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus.