Project Estimator

About the role

Join PTAG, a leading Project Management Advisory & Services firm, recognized across North America for helping world-class clients deliver major capital projects successfully. We are seeking a Project Estimator to support our growing team in San Francisco Bay, CA.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead cost development and estimation activities for high-voltage transmission & substation infrastructure projects supporting major utility capital programs.
• Develop detailed cost models for overhead transmission lines (115kV+), including steel poles, lattice towers, foundations, and conductor systems.
• Prepare estimates for transmission line rebuilds, reconductoring programs, underground transmission segments, and related civil work.
• Develop labor-hour models for transmission construction crews and specialty contractors.
• Prepare material cost forecasts for conductors, insulators, hardware, structural steel, foundations, and long-lead equipment.
• Incorporate outage-driven construction sequencing, energization milestones, and access constraints into cost models.
• Develop contingency strategies, escalation models, and risk-adjusted cost projections.
• Collaborate with Project Developers, Engineers, Project Managers, and Project Controls teams to align cost baselines with project scope and schedule.
• Support capital justification documentation and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Review contractor bids and support independent cost validation and reconciliation.
• Present cost baselines and estimate assumptions to project leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications / Requirements

• 5+ years of estimating experience within electric utilities or utility-focused EPC environments.
• Demonstrated experience estimating high-voltage transmission line and/or substation projects (115kV and above).
• Experience estimating overhead transmission construction, including structures, foundations, conductor systems, and line hardware.
• Experience estimating transmission rebuilds, reconductoring programs, and underground transmission segments.
• Deep understanding of transmission construction sequencing and outage-based work.
• Strong knowledge of transmission labor modeling and material cost drivers.
• Able to interpret transmission engineering drawings, specifications, and construction scopes.
• Experience presenting cost estimates and capital baselines to senior leadership and project stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with utility-focused estimating tools such as: Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE), Cleopatra Enterprise, Primavera P6 (including cost loading), Advanced Excel-based estimating models, Bluebeam, Procore, McCormick System, SAP or EcoSys for capital governance, Hard Dollar / HeavyBid for civil scope components.

Benefits

PTAG offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including a flexible work environment and opportunities for advancement, an Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP), and a culture that values safety, accountability, and excellence.