Senior Estimator

STV is seeking a Senior Estimator to join our Project Controls department at our Dallas, TX office.

This position will play a critical role in supporting major transportation, aviation, infrastructure, transit, and capital improvement projects by developing, analyzing, and validating project cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle. The Senior Estimator will collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, designers, contractors, and clients to develop accurate and defensible cost estimates that support successful project delivery.

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in construction cost estimating, cost planning, quantity take-offs, and project controls, along with a strong understanding of construction means and methods. This individual will serve as a key technical resource within STV's growing Project Controls practice and will help drive estimating excellence across complex programs and projects.

Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Cost Planning

Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed construction cost estimates.

Prepare quantity take-offs, cost models, pricing analyses, and estimate documentation from drawings, specifications, and project requirements.

Evaluate project scope and identify key cost drivers, risks, assumptions, and opportunities.

Maintain detailed estimate backup documentation, supporting calculations, assumptions, and exclusions.

Develop and maintain cost databases, benchmarking tools, historical cost models, and unit pricing libraries.

Validate and reconcile estimates prepared by design consultants, contractors, and third parties.

Project Controls Integration

Partner with project controls teams, schedulers, cost engineers, and project managers to align estimates with project schedules and budgets.

Support development of project budgets, cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and life-cycle cost analyses.

Analyze escalation factors, productivity impacts, contingencies, and market trends affecting project costs.

Support earned value management, forecasting, and performance reporting initiatives as needed.

Risk Management & Change Control

Perform cost risk assessments and support quantitative risk analysis efforts.

Evaluate scope changes, change orders, and potential impacts to project costs and budgets.

Prepare independent cost opinions and estimate reconciliation reports.

Identify cost optimization opportunities and provide value engineering recommendations.

Client & Stakeholder Coordination

Collaborate with clients, engineers, designers, contractors, and consultants throughout planning, design, procurement, and construction phases.

Participate in design reviews, estimating workshops, cost reviews, and value engineering sessions.

Present estimating methodologies, assumptions, findings, and recommendations to project teams and client stakeholders.

Provide technical expertise and support during procurement and contractor negotiations.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Mentor junior estimators and project controls professionals.

Support development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.

Assist with business development pursuits by preparing conceptual estimates and cost strategies for proposals.

Promote continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating and project controls functions.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

10+ years of progressive experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, project controls, or construction cost management.

Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for transportation, aviation, transit, infrastructure, commercial, or major capital improvement programs.

Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, and cost modeling techniques.

Experience performing detailed quantity take-offs from plans and specifications.

Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently on complex assignments.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting large aviation, transportation, transit, or infrastructure programs.

Familiarity with industry estimating platforms and project controls systems.

Experience with design-build, CM/GC, progressive design-build, or alternative delivery methods.

Knowledge of cost risk modeling and quantitative risk analysis.

Professional certifications such as AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), PSP, CCT, or equivalent.

Experience working with public agencies, airport authorities, DOTs, or large capital program owners.

Compensation Range:

$130,962.60 - $149,671.54

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.