Senior Estimator

PTAG is a Project Management Advisory & Services firm trusted by leading utilities and infrastructure owners across North America. We partner with clients to plan, develop, and deliver complex capital projects across transmission, substations, renewables, and data center infrastructure.

We are currently seeking a Senior Project Estimator with seasoned high-voltage Transmission estimating experience to support major capital programs across the greater Bay Area.

This role requires deep expertise in utility Transmission cost development—not general industrial or commercial construction estimating. The successful candidate will have extensive experience preparing estimates for 115kV+ transmission line projects within regulated IOU environments.

As a Senior Project Estimator, you will lead capital cost development for transmission line builds, rebuilds, underground segments, and associated substation tie-ins—supporting capital approvals, regulatory submissions, and construction execution baselines.

• Lead preparation of Class 5 through Class 1 cost estimates for high-voltage transmission projects
• Develop detailed cost models for overhead transmission lines (115kV+), including steel poles, lattice towers, foundations, and conductor systems
• Prepare estimates for reconductoring, line rebuilds, underground transmission segments, and associated civil work
• Incorporate outage-driven sequencing, energization milestones, and access constraints into cost modeling
• 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
• Support environmental, ROW, access, and permitting-related cost impacts
• Develop contingency strategies, escalation models, and risk-adjusted cost projections
• Collaborate with Project Developers, Engineers, Project Managers, and Project Controls to align cost baselines with scope and schedule
• Review contractor bids and support independent cost validation and reconciliation
• Support capital justification documentation and regulatory reporting requirements
• Champion PTAG’s values of safety, accountability, collaboration, and integrity

• Demonstrated, seasoned experience estimating high-voltage Transmission projects (115kV and above required)
• 15+ years of estimating experience within electric utilities
• Strong experience with overhead transmission construction including structures, foundations, conductor systems, and line hardware
• Experience estimating transmission rebuilds, reconductoring, and underground transmission segments
• Experience with in regulated IOU or EPC environments supporting utilities
• Deep understanding of transmission construction sequencing and outage-based work
• Strong knowledge of transmission material cost drivers and labor modeling
• Proficiency with utility-focused estimating tools such as:
• Advanced Excel-based estimating models
• SAP or Eco Sys (capital governance exposure)
• Ability to interpret transmission engineering drawings and technical specifications
• Experience presenting cost baselines to senior leadership and regulatory stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical discipline (or equivalent experience)

• Candidates must demonstrate:
  Direct estimating experience on 115kV+ transmission line projects
• Experience supporting regulated utility capital programs
• Transmission-specific labor and material cost modeling expertise

• Primary locations:
  San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, and greater Bay Area
• Work schedule:
  
  Onsite / field-based, Monday–Friday, 40+ hours per week
• Remote work:
  Not available at this stage

• Work on high-impact transmission infrastructure programs shaping grid resiliency
• Join a growing consulting firm embedded with leading utility clients
• Long-term visibility across major capital portfolios
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture with strong professional development support
• Opportunity to grow within PTAG as project portfolios expand