Senior Conceptual Estimator

Job Description Job Description

Senior Cost Estimator - Multidisciplinary & Electrical Systems

Location:

Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, TX

Employment Type:

Full-Time
Work Arrangement:
Primarily office-based; hybrid flexibility considered

Sunland Group, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to join our team. In this role, you will support our Project Management and Construction Management teams in meeting our clients' design-side estimating needs across a diverse portfolio of major capital improvement projects, ranging in value from $20 million to $850 million. Our projects span aviation, commercial, K-12, higher education, transportation, and public infrastructure markets.

The Senior Cost Estimator will collaborate directly with project teams, architects, engineers, and owner representatives to develop comprehensive construction cost estimates at various stages of project development, from initial planning and conceptual design through detailed design and construction documentation. Your expertise will help establish reliable budgets, evaluate project feasibility, manage cost risks, and support informed decisions throughout the design process.

We are seeking a well-rounded, multidisciplinary construction estimating professional with particular strength in electrical infrastructure, low-voltage systems, building automation, controls, and integrated technologies. Experience with SCADA systems is highly desirable.

This is a hands-on technical position requiring independent judgment, extensive construction knowledge, and the ability to develop accurate, defensible estimates for complex projects across multiple disciplines.

• Develop comprehensive construction cost estimates from early project planning and feasibility through schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
• Prepare rough order of magnitude (ROM), parametric, assembly-based, and detailed quantity takeoff estimates.
• Evaluate architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and specialty systems to develop coordinated multidisciplinary estimates.
• Provide specialized estimating expertise for electrical distribution, low-voltage systems, telecommunications, security, building controls, and integrated technologies.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, project requirements, and available design information to establish accurate and defensible construction budgets.
• Evaluate labor, materials, equipment, productivity, escalation, contingencies, and regional construction market conditions.
• Participate in design reviews, value engineering exercises, cost reconciliation meetings, and budget validation discussions.
• Prepare independent estimates and reconcile cost with contractor and third-party estimates.
• Maintain historical cost databases, estimating benchmarks, and project cost information to improve estimating consistency and accuracy.
• Prepare professional estimating reports, supporting documentation, and cost presentations for internal teams and clients.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible construction cost estimating experience on commercial, institutional, or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop comprehensive multidisciplinary construction estimates.
• Strong technical knowledge of electrical construction, power distribution, and low-voltage or integrated systems.
• Experience preparing estimates at multiple design stages, including projects with limited or incomplete design information.
• Ability to interpret architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and technology-related drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, labor productivity, cost databases, and estimating methodologies.
• Proficiency with professional estimating software e.g. CostOS, Plan Swift, RSMeans, or comparable estimating software and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple estimating assignments while maintaining accuracy, quality, and schedule commitments.
• Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

• Experience estimating major capital projects valued at $20 million or more.
• Experience with aviation, airport facilities, K-12, higher education, transportation, or large commercial developments.
• Knowledge of SCADA, instrumentation, building automation, and advanced control…