Lead Estimator

About the Role

The Lead Estimator prepares proposals including cost, technical, and commercial responses, supporting pre‑construction and project development across Cajun’s core markets. This client‑facing role develops accurate cost estimates during conceptual and schematic design phases, ensuring alignment with project goals and budgets. The position may require work on construction sites and occasional travel. The role collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, oversees support estimators, and interacts with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to secure commitment to cost estimates and promote successful project execution. • Lead development of conceptual and schematic cost estimates for engineering, construction, and integrated delivery projects. • Review and understand client‑published bid documents. • Analyze data to determine material and labor requirements and prepare itemized lists. • Utilize historical data, quantity take‑offs, unit pricing, and line‑count methodologies. • Compute cost factors and prepare estimates for planning, scheduling, bidding, vendor selection, and cost‑effectiveness analysis. • Consult with clients, vendors, or other parties to formulate estimates and resolve issues. • Coordinate with internal teams to obtain support and commitment for cost estimates. • Facilitate estimating team collaboration by brainstorming constructability, maximizing creativity, analyzing production rates, and reducing indirect costs. • Prepare technical and commercial approaches for proposal costs. • Present cost models and estimates to internal teams and clients to ensure transparency and trust.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸cost estimating
• ▸data analysis
• ▸bid review
• ▸client consultation
• ▸team coordination
• ▸proposal development

What You Bring

Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 25 lb (occasionally 50 lb), walk on uneven or muddy surfaces, and drive vehicles as needed. Professional qualifications demand 8‑10 years of mechanical estimating experience in petrochemical or oil‑and‑gas markets, knowledge of design‑build and integrated delivery methods, and strong communication and detail‑orientation. Preferred skills include proficiency with estimating software such as Sage Estimating, experience in construction logistics planning, schedule development, constructability reviews, and familiarity with Cajun’s core markets and project types.

Requirements

• ▸mechanical estimating
• ▸petrochemical
• ▸design‑build
• ▸sage estimating
• ▸communication
• ▸scheduling

Work Environment

Office Full-Time