Principal Estimator

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and Scheduling Support

• Review and provide input on specifications for engineered equipment and subcontracts.
• Advise estimators on the labor and other-than-labor resources needed to perform the scope of work.
• Advise schedulers on activity sequence, durations, and logic.
• Advise management on risk-informed schedules used to set milestones and Performance Based Incentives (PBIs).
• Provide input to technical writers for Basis of Estimates (BOEs), Basis of Schedule (BOS), and WBS data dictionaries.

Project Controls and Financial Analysis

• Develop cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures (WBS), and spend-out plans that make the best use of equipment, manpower, funding, and facilities.
• Apply advanced project control concepts, including developing advanced system applications, and guide team members on complex, multi-project integrated analysis and problem correction.
• Take part in routine project cost reviews and schedule meetings, and develop and implement a change management system for engineering and construction scope.
• Analyze cost and schedule variances against plan, and explain to management the causes and proposed mitigation plans.
• Apply financial analysis techniques such as variance, statistical, and scenario analysis to work scopes and management decisions.
• Develop and explain costing rates for the budget process, maintain rates in PeopleSoft, and analyze pool variances (Assigned Overhead and Service Pools).
• Analyze business operations to identify funding limitations, productivity issues, and financial risks, and design integrated financial controls and cost-effective processes.
• Define requirements and develop models for complex business systems, develop test plans and scenarios, integrate major enhancements into existing financial applications, and monitor system effectiveness.
• Initiate and lead special studies, develop solutions for complex problems, and turn senior management's concepts into operating plans.
• Prepare monthly financial reports, including analyses, forecasts, and spend plans.
• Serve as a key link between the Client and the planning process.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and training to other Project Controls staff.
• Apply working knowledge of CAS/FAR principles.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience (any of the following):

• Master's degree in business, construction management, engineering, or a related technical field and 5 years of practical experience
• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7 years of practical experience
• Associate's degree and 11 years of practical experience
• High school diploma and 15 years of relevant experience

Additional Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in engineering, construction, operations, estimating, scheduling, project controls, proposal development, and/or project management.
• At least 5 years of experience showing subject matter expertise in estimating and project controls.
• Expert proficiency with automated accounting, cost management, scheduling, and estimating systems, along with strong PC skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management and of cost and schedule control at the tactical level.
• Knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.
• Ability to review work for completeness against project specifications and scope definitions.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Active DOE "Q" security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Success Estimating software.
• Experience with site business systems such as PeopleSoft.
• Experience supporting DOE/NNSA capital projects.