Estimator III

What We're Looking For

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.

This opportunity entails preparing all aspects of detailed cost estimates with minimal supervision for projects that are generally larger and more complex estimating assignments. Accurately projecting the cost of upcoming projects. Responsible for conceptual, definitive, man‑hour, and equipment factored total installed cost estimates. Duties may also include preparing economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses.

• Perform detailed cost estimates utilizing the Cost Breakdown Structure, determining the cost of each item from experience and summarizing the total. Prepare a detailed breakdown of components and elements of estimates for systems and subsystems.
• Perform conceptual estimating by establishing a project’s cost prior to development of a graphical representation of a facility. Work closely with the project supervisor to ensure the project estimate meets all financial and regulatory guidelines. Operate and provide oversight and guidance on the use of selected estimating software.
• Provide support in price negotiations. Obtain cost information for materials and services. Participate in client presentations as required.
• Perform detailed cost estimates for professional services.
• Develop duration estimates of specific construction activities based on assumed construction approach and appropriate production rates. Prepare independent cost estimates for submitted change order proposals.
• Collaborate with scheduling team to develop productivity‑based cost estimates and to ensure alignment of estimates to construction schedules.
• Analyze specifications, drawings, sketches, and sample layouts to calculate total construction cost using labor, material, and equipment pricing schedules in concert with historical data.
• Review contractual documents and contract modifications to determine scope of work and scope changes.
• Accumulate, evaluate, and document historical cost data and construction methods to maintain current estimating standards and databases.
• Prepare takeoffs on complex projects, drawings, and plans with project management and check for mathematical and technical accuracy. Assign material costs and staffing costs to the takeoffs.
• Support the preparation of procurement documents related to Estimating Specifications.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related degree and 6 years relevant experience;
• In lieu of education, 10 years relevant experience with the development of cost estimates.

• Prepares reviews of engineers estimates for complex civil contracts.
• Compiles independent quantity take‑offs on major projects for quality check purposes.
• Prepares independent change order estimates for construction contracts.
• Updates cost forecasts for upcoming work.
• Analyzes bid tabulations.
• Updates price database.
• Produces economic cost studies, cash flows, and contingency analyses.

• AACE’s CEP (Certified Estimating Professional) or equivalent designation.
• Experience developing cost estimates and quantity takeoffs in heavy highway construction.
• Experience estimating and bidding projects with a general contractor or subcontractor on heavy civil projects.
• Familiarity with basic design requirements for roads and bridges.
• Experience preparing cost estimates using a variety of estimating tools, including Excel spreadsheets, Sage Timberline, HCSS Heavy Bid, and/or other estimating software.

Benefits: HNTB Total Rewards.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Downers Grove, IL

Location based pay range for Illinois: $ - $.
Nationwide pay range: $95,991.51 - $.
These ranges are good faith estimates and actual compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, skills, and work location within the state.