Senior Estimator - Power & Utilities

Senior Project Estimator - Transmission (High Voltage)

Bay Area, CA | Contract | # 678

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.

Key Responsibilities

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

Required Qualifications

15+ years of estimating experience within electric utilities

Demonstrated, seasoned experience estimating high-voltage Transmission projects (115kV and above required)

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:

• Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)

• Cleopatra Enterprise

• Primavera P6 (including cost loading)

• Advanced Excel-based estimating models

• Bluebeam, Procore, McCormick System

• SAP or Eco Sys (capital governance exposure)

• Hard Dollar / Heavy Bid (for civil scope components)

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)

Mandatory Experience Alignment (Non-Negotiable)

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

Candidates without high-voltage Transmission estimating experience will not be considered.

Location & Work Model

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

Why PTAG?

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