Job Description

Location: Charlotte, NC
Employment Type: Contract
Work Arrangement: Full-Time, Onsite (5 Days Per Week)

We are seeking a Principal Project Controls Estimator to support large-scale natural gas and energy infrastructure projects. This senior-level role is responsible for developing, reviewing, validating, and analyzing complex cost estimates across engineering, procurement, and construction activities while supporting project forecasting, budgeting, risk analysis, and overall project controls functions.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced estimating expertise, strong project controls knowledge, and experience supporting large capital projects within EPC or EPCM environments. This position requires the ability to lead complex estimating efforts, mentor project controls professionals, and provide strategic cost analysis that supports project and portfolio decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Project Controls

• Develop and prepare detailed cost estimates for natural gas, energy, and infrastructure projects across engineering, procurement, and construction scopes
• Produce conceptual, preliminary, and definitive estimates utilizing bottoms-up and parametric estimating methodologies
• Review and validate quantity takeoffs, labor assumptions, indirect costs, escalation factors, and contingency development
• Perform cost normalization, benchmarking, and historical cost analysis to improve estimate accuracy
• Develop average unit costs and maintain estimating databases and standards
• Support project forecasting, budgeting, trending, burn rate analysis, and variance reporting
• Perform cost alignment with project schedules and support integrated project controls reporting
• Support change management, cost control, and project performance evaluations

Estimate Analysis & Reporting

• Lead estimate reviews and validation sessions with project stakeholders
• Perform variance analysis and provide recommendations for cost optimization
• Develop management presentations and executive-level reporting packages
• Analyze project performance trends and communicate findings to leadership teams
• Support portfolio-level reporting and project controls governance activities

Risk & Contingency Management

• Conduct estimate risk assessments and contingency evaluations
• Support quantitative risk analysis and Monte Carlo simulation activities
• Identify potential cost risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Evaluate impacts associated with project scope changes and emerging project risks

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to Cost Analysts, Estimators, and Project Controls Specialists
• Lead complex estimating assignments with minimal supervision
• Collaborate closely with engineering, construction, procurement, project management, and project controls teams
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for estimating tools, methodologies, and best practices
• Assist with project controls process development and organizational improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field
• Minimum 9 years of project controls, cost engineering, or estimating experience
• Minimum 11 years of related experience in lieu of a degree
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing project cost estimates
• Experience supporting EPC or EPCM project environments
• Proficiency with InEight estimating software and advanced Excel-based cost models
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, indirect costs, escalation, and contingency development
• Advanced knowledge of project controls methodologies, forecasting, budgeting, cost analysis, and reporting
• Ability to manage large datasets and adapt quickly to new software applications
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead complex assignments independently
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, or related discipline
• Experience supporting natural gas, utility, power generation, energy, or infrastructure projects
• Experience working within highly regulated or safety-critical environments
• PMP, CAPM, PMI-SP, AACE-CCC, AACE-PSP, AACE-CEP, AACE-EVP, or similar certifications
• Experience with Primavera P6, MS Project, and enterprise project controls platforms
• Experience with Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Visio, Access, Powerplant, Maximo, EAM, and PeopleSoft
• Experience utilizing Monte Carlo analysis and quantitative risk management tools
• Prior utility or energy industry experience

Technical Skills

• Expert-level Excel capabilities
• InEight estimating software
• Cost forecasting and variance analysis
• Project budgeting and cost control
• Quantity takeoffs and benchmarking
• Risk and contingency analysis
• Schedule and cost integration
• Project controls reporting and analytics
• EPC/EPCM estimating methodologies