Description
Urban Grid, a leading independent power producer, facilitates a rapid and sustainable energy transition by developing high-quality renewable energy projects, fostering community partnerships, and serving as a good land steward. Our company is positioned to own and operate its facilities while cultivating a land management system that benefits farmers, communities, and the natural world through agrivoltaics. Urban Grid maintains a delivery-focused approach with the goal of being a good neighbor, corporate citizen, and trusted energy solutions partner.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with teams situated strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has a long history of contributing to the clean energy economy. In addition to 940 megawatts currently under construction, we are actively developing a growing portfolio of more than 12,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com. Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation.
We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, a hybrid work environment and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry.
Job Summary:
The Senior Project Cost Estimator plays a crucial role at Urban Grid by planning & leading cost estimating efforts of utility scale solar projects. The incumbent shall apply standard estimating concepts, practices, and company procedures in developing estimates and provide guidance & leadership to project delivery, project development, and valuation teams on capex related topics.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of comprehensive cost estimates for utility-scale solar projects, including materials, labor, equipment, and overhead costs, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Support Project Managers to develop budgets for EPC scope.
- Develop various classes of estimates based on the project stage using AACE classifications.
- Build engagement models with third-party estimators and review and own estimates developed by them.
- Advise various teams, including project delivery, project development, and M&A on matters related to capital expenditure as a Subject Matter Expert.
- Present and defend estimates with stakeholders, including senior management, lenders, the Urban Grid board, and others.
Tools / Modeling
- Develop, enhance, and maintain cost estimating models. Collaborate with project development, performance engineering, project delivery, construction management, and engineering teams to proof-check models.
- Develop and implement input requirements checklists for different classes of estimates.
- Prepare estimating take-offs from drawings and specifications in collaboration with engineering.
- Develop and implement mechanisms to apply inflation/escalation to estimates.
- Create basis of estimate documents and presentations.
Data collection & Benchmarking
- Develop and implement benchmarking mechanisms to evaluate estimates.
- Gather and analyze as-built/as-contracted data from past projects.
- Maintain cost matrices and databases, categorized by state and utility.
- Develop and maintain market intelligence on prices and capacities of commodities, labor, equipment, key vendors, etc.
- Connect with internal teams to stay updated on the current market.
- Maintain a cost estimation lessons-learned database and refine estimates accordingly.
- Work with the Contracts and Procurement team to issue RFIs to obtain indicative pricing
- Collaborate with project teams to identify risks that could impact costs. Use quantitative and qualitative techniques to estimate risk-based contingency requirements and accuracy ranges for projects.
- Run constructability workshops to document challenges in construction and their impact on costs.
- Participate in RFP cycles to review bid estimates and analyze data, providing clarifications to bidders.
- Support project managers in reviewing change orders by contractors during construction.
- Conduct monthly cost estimation guidance calls to align with the broader organization.
Location: Based in Houston, TX with a hybrid/ remote work schedule. Occasional travel.
Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in cost estimation, with at least 2 years in solar project estimation.
- Detailed knowledge of estimating fundamentals.
- Demonstrated understanding of Fixed Price, Time & Materials, Cost Plus, and Unit contract pricing mechanisms.
- Proficiency in utilizing estimation software and tools such as RSMeans, PVWatts, B2W, WinEst, or equivalent.
- Experience in creating and maintaining standard estimating models.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
- Professional certification in cost estimation is an added advantage.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated with strong attention to detail.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Ability to think and work independently, effectively, and efficiently.
Benefits
Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus.
