Location: Amarillo, TX
Job Title: Project Controls - Estimating Senior Associate
Career Level From: Senior Associate
Career Level To: Senior Specialist
Organization: Small Projects & Estimating (50993949)
Job Specialty: Project Controls-Estimating
What You'll Do
We are seeking a results-driven Cost Estimator to support the planning, execution, and delivery of Department of Energy (DOE) / National Nuclear Secruity Administration (NNSA) Minor Construction, Commercial Approach, and Capital Asset Projects. This position combines technical estimating expertise with project management insight to develop accurate, integrated, and defensible cost estimates that support informed project decisions and comply with federal requirements.
The successful candidate will collaborate with Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Project Controls, and Risk Management to validate project scope, develop quantity takeoffs, and produce reliable cost estimates that support project planning, baseline development, and execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare Class 5 through Class 1 cost estimates with full traceability to project scope, schedule, and risk assumptions.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, including assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, methodologies, and supporting data.
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs using engineering drawings, specifications, and design documentation.
- Structure estimates to align with the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure
- (CBS).
- Support Baseline Change Proposals (BCPs), estimate updates, rebaselines, and risk-adjusted forecast activities.
- Maintain historical cost data and perform cost benchmarking using internal databases and industry resources.
- Collaborate with Project Managers, Project Controls, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Risk Management to ensure alignment between project scope, cost, and schedule.
- Present cost estimates, BOEs, cost studies, and estimate analyses to management and project stakeholders.
- Analyze engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation to validate project scope and quantities.
- Apply a working knowledge of civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines to support multidisciplinary estimating efforts.
- Develop and maintain cost models using parametric, analogous, and bottoms-up estimating methodologies.
- Analyze and apply direct and indirect cost structures, including escalation, overhead, contingency, and allowances, in accordance with project and federal requirements.
- Evaluate labor rates, crew productivity, and construction means and methods to develop realistic and defensible cost estimates.
- Perform cost risk analyses and support the development of risk-adjusted estimates using probabilistic methods.
- Support the Estimating Manager with daily operations, organizational initiatives, and ad hoc requests.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering/science/information technology discipline: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience.
- Master's degree in engineering/science/information technology discipline.
- OR Applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 10 years of completed education and/or relevant experience.
DOE Order 426.2A Requirements
Preferred Job Requirements - Familiar with Pantex life-cycle cost estimating for minor construction projects.
- Experience in managing construction projects, commercial or nuclear facilities.
- Experience of Pantex Plant facility operations and the nuclear weapons site.
- Familiar with federal acquisitions regulations, contractual requirements, and project delivery methods requirements.
- Experience interpreting drawings, specifications, and engineering deliverables for accurate scope and cost alignment.
- Education: Bachelor or Master’s degree in a technical, engineering, construction, or business-related discipline.
- Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in estimating or project management, including:
- Non-nuclear, non-complex commercial, site utility, or infrastructure construction.
- DOE/NNSA nuclear facility construction projects.
- Experience managing minor construction and commercial projects in a project management role.
- Proficiency in project controls and estimating software (Primavera P6, Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing [SAP], SAGE, RSMeans, Benchmarking Tools, and Excel-based cost models).
- Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and engineering deliverables for accurate scope and cost alignment.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with project management and key stakeholders.
- Broad knowledge of related disciplines, including project controls, project management, risk management, engineering, and construction.
- Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), baseline control, and project management life cycle processes.
- Preferred Certifications:Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE), Certified Cost Professional (CCP) / Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) , Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent professional credential.
- Eligibility for DOE security clearance preferred.
#JointheMission: Your Impact Starts Here
At Pantex, you won't just find a job—you’ll discover a career of purpose safeguarding national security through work performed nowhere else on Earth. We empower dedicated, innovative individuals like you to achieve their greatest impact surrounded by exceptional talent and limitless opportunities for professional growth.
When you #JointheMission, you choose a lifetime career where your commitment is genuinely valued and rewarded. At Pantex, we believe that extraordinary talent thrives when supported by a balanced life. Discover the flexibility that empowers you to excel, coupled with a benefits package designed for your total peace of mind from comprehensive health coverage and robust retirement planning, to opportunities for continuous learning through education reimbursement.
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.
Pantex is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to random selection for drug testing without advance notification.
Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
