Estimator, Project

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AES Clean Energy is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Project Estimator to develop budgets and economical evaluations required for Solar PV and Energy Storage projects to support the Development and Construction teams for EPC estimations of Distributed Generation (<20MW) and utility-scale (20MW+) PV and PV + Battery Storage facilities during their early to late development phases.

This position will be responsible for developing AES CE EPC budgets for solar and energy storage technologies for US based projects and will support the EPC bid evaluation process.

The successful candidate will have experience in solar and energy storage and will independently create project estimates with minimal supervision, identify and communicate EPC related project risks, contribute to cost database management, have a mindset of continuous & scalable improvement and will be comfortable operating in a very dynamic environment. The candidate must be able to work on multiple projects at the same time, be able to develop relationships with different business groups and be a reliable self-starter.

This position will be remote, involving close collaboration with AES’s internal Business Development, Engineering, and Construction teams. The role reports to the Estimating Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Cost Estimating

• Originate estimates based on various design maturities, provide feasibility, intermediate and advanced EPC design and constructability evaluations, cost estimates based on varying levels of site-specific project design information to author detailed qualifications that detail all relevant assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions that pertain to pricing.  

• Execute daily work independently within existing procedures and processes as well as identify areas of team opportunity and initiate improvement.

• Ability to collect, manage and apply historical cost and schedule data from existing projects to future projects.

• Prioritize and organize workload using all information available.  

• Ability to analyze, critique and evaluate estimates provided by EPCs, suppliers and contractors and opine on contract award recommendations to the larger Preconstruction Team.

• Work with other functions and disciplines from across the company to understand and evaluate the labor, material and other direct and indirect costs associated with proposed projects

• Have a functional understanding of regional labor markets, including Union and Prevailing Wage, and federal tax policies.
• Be comfortable collaborating with teams to facilitate robust and successful RFP response reviews

• In-depth knowledge and experience with pre-construction and construction processes and sequencing, with emphasis on renewable energy projects.

• Provide a summary report for estimate and effectively communicate to Business Development.

General
• Adhere to organizational processes required to sustain the integrity of the AES knowledgebase.

• Discern critical and non-critical information required to publish pricing within a specified accuracy range.  As well as able to present pricing in excess of $100MM coupled with a written narrative that clearly communicates risk, opportunities, and parameters of pricing.

• Elevate group capabilities by bringing unique viewpoints and experience to the team.

• Ability to reconstruct historical cost data into current and future cost models using reliable indices and sources.

• Knowledge of inputs and outputs of typical project design maturity levels

• Able to deconstruct a construction activity into individual units of measure and understand how various environmental or market conditions impact components of work.

• Exceptional organizational, communication, decision making/problem solving, analytical and time management skills

• Familiar with both medium voltage and high voltage project interconnections

• Passion for the renewable energy industry

Skills and Qualifications:
• 2+ years’ experience working within a professional estimating software, Bid2Win Estimate preferred.

• 3+ years professional experience in utility-scale renewables self-perform, IPP or GC estimating or a similar pre-construction role.

Strong proficiency in Excel, Bluebeam and Google Earth

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat.

• Excellent familiarity with PV equipment and energy storage components, design information (layouts and one-lines) and technical standards.

• Knowledge of high voltage substations, transmission lines and switchyard estimating is an advantage

• Familiarity with wind technology is a plus.

• Superior communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal being comfortable presenting to an executive audience and addressing a wide range of questions with accuracy and integrity

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including an ability to maintain calm and effective exchanges by all parties during stressful situations.
• Excellent organizational skills demonstrated by clear and effective project plans and executive level reporting that ensure timely action and decision making in time-pressured scenarios.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $83,500 and $100,300/Annual; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements such as annual bonus, in addition to a full range of medical, dental, vision, life, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.