Senior Cost Estimator - Federal Sector at Procon Consulting

Procon is a top-ranked construction management and technology consulting firm with 25 years of experience delivering high‑impact projects across the U.S. and worldwide. An ENR Top 100 CM/PM firm for five consecutive years, we specialize in program management, project controls, commissioning, and technology—and offer an excellent platform to grow your career while shaping the future of the built environment.

Procon seeks an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to provide independent cost estimating, cost analysis, budget validation, and commercial advisory support for large-scale capital improvement, infrastructure, facility, engineering, and construction programs.

The Senior Cost Estimator will develop and evaluate cost estimates from early conceptual planning through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout. This position is responsible for assessing project affordability, validating budgets, analyzing cost risks, supporting procurement and negotiation activities, and maintaining accurate and independent cost positions throughout the project lifecycle.

The Senior Cost Estimator will collaborate closely with program managers, project managers, schedulers, engineers, architects, construction managers, contractors, and client stakeholders to evaluate project alternatives, identify cost impacts and risks, develop reliable forecasts, and provide cost information that supports informed program and project-level decision-making across multiple concurrent projects. This role requires various skills and experience as listed below.

This position does not offer employment visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related field.

• Minimum of 10 years of cost estimating experience supporting design and construction programs.

• Demonstrated experience developing independent cost estimates for facilities, infrastructure, or large-scale capital projects.

• Strong knowledge of construction means, methods, materials, labor, and cost drivers.

• Experience developing estimates from conceptual planning through detailed design and construction.

• Proficiency with estimating software and Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a NACI/Top Secret security clearance to satisfy project-specific site access and badging requirements.

• Certified Cost Professional (CCP), CCE, PMP, CCM, PE, RA, or equivalent professional certification preferred.

• Experience supporting federal, aviation, mission-critical, industrial, infrastructure, healthcare, laboratory, higher education, or secure facility projects preferred.

• Experience with progressive delivery, Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), or other collaborative project delivery methods preferred.

• Knowledge of cost risk analysis and Monte Carlo methodologies preferred.

• Familiarity with scheduling platforms and cost-schedule integration.

• Experience supporting programs exceeding $100 million in construction value preferred.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and maintain conceptual, parametric, detailed, and independent cost estimates.

• Prepare cost estimates throughout the planning, programming, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases.

• Review and validate contractor, consultant, and vendor pricing proposals.

• Support project budget development, funding strategies, cost forecasting, and financial planning.

• Analyze cost impacts associated with scope changes, schedule changes, project risks, and design alternatives.

• Develop quantity takeoffs and pricing analyses using industry cost databases, historical data, and current market intelligence.

• Participate in value engineering, alternatives analysis, and constructability reviews to identify cost-saving opportunities.

• Support procurement, contract negotiation, and commercial strategy activities.

• Develop life-cycle cost analyses and total cost of ownership evaluations.

• Coordinate with project schedulers to evaluate escalation, phasing, sequencing, and schedule-related cost impacts.

• Prepare executive-level cost reports, estimate narratives, budget summaries, and presentations.

• Assist with contingency development, management reserve planning, cost reconciliation, and budget validation.

• Mentor junior estimators and establish consistent cost management procedures, estimating methodologies, and program-wide standards.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular onsite presence in an active construction environment. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Walking and standing for extended periods while performing site observations and inspections.

• Navigating active construction areas, including stairs, uneven surfaces, temporary walkways, and varying elevations.

• Occasionally bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing as necessary to observe construction activities.

• Accessing mechanical, electrical, utility, process, and other construction areas as required.

• Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all applicable site safety requirements.

• Working in indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to typical construction-site conditions, including noise, dust, weather, and temperature fluctuations.

• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested and qualified candidates please submit a cover letter and a resume.

Procon offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including full medical/dental insurance and 401(K) plan. Procon is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.