Principal Estimator

Job Description

Reporting to the Estimating Department Manager, the Principal Estimator is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and technical expertise to multidisciplinary estimating teams supporting proposals, FEED studies, and major capital projects. This role plays a critical part in developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive project cost estimates that support business growth, project execution strategies, and client decision-making.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience within the oil, gas, chemical, and industrial sectors, with a proven track record of leading complex FEED and proposal estimates exceeding $500 million CAPEX. The individual will serve as a subject matter expert in cost estimating, mentor junior estimators, and interface directly with senior management, clients, engineering disciplines, and project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead multidisciplinary estimating teams in the development of conceptual, FEED, and proposal estimates.
• Develop and execute estimating strategies aligned with project objectives, client requirements, and Fluor estimating best practices.
• Prepare and manage Estimate Development Plans, including deliverables, milestones, timelines, and stakeholder responsibilities.
• Lead estimate planning sessions and coordinate estimating activities across Engineering, Procurement, Contracts, Construction, and Project Controls.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to estimating personnel to support professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Prepare detailed capital cost estimates for proposals, FEED studies, and complex industrial projects.
• Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation and manage internal and external estimate reviews.
• Ensure estimate quality, consistency, and compliance with company procedures and industry standards.
• Develop all classes of estimates in accordance with AACE International Estimate Classification standards.
• Establish project execution assumptions and identify estimate risks, opportunities, and contingencies.
• Coordinate estimate inputs from engineering, procurement, construction, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commercial teams throughout estimate development.
• Interface directly with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders regarding estimate assumptions, methodologies, and project strategies.
• Present estimate plans, methodologies, findings, and recommendations to Fluor and client senior leadership.
• Support proposal development activities and commercial evaluations.
• Assist in the development of home-office budgets and construction budgets.
• Develop Control Budgets for turnover to the Project Controls team.
• Support project benchmarking, forecasting, escalation management, and productivity analysis.
• Champion the continuous improvement and maintenance of estimating databases, cost models, productivity factors, exchange rates, escalation indices, and historical cost information.
• Promote estimating excellence and best practices across projects and proposal activities.
• Support estimating process improvements, tools enhancement, and standardization initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative and positive work environment that encourages technical growth and career development.

Basic Job Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of estimating experience within the EPC industry.
• Significant experience in the oil, gas, chemical, energy, or industrial sectors.
• Proven experience leading at least two FEED or proposal estimates with a CAPEX value exceeding $500 million.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing large-scale capital cost estimates.
• Experience leading multinational and geographically dispersed project teams
• Strong understanding of direct and indirect project costs.
• Advanced knowledge of proposal estimating, FEED estimating, and project execution planning.
• Detailed understanding of estimate methodologies, benchmarking, contingency development, and risk assessment.
• Working knowledge of project controls, cost engineering, procurement, and construction practices.
• Strong understanding of commercial contracts and proposal requirements.
• Exceptional verbal and written English communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills with experience communicating to senior management and clients.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior estimators.
  
  

Other Job Requirements

• Demonstrable record of estimate accuracy and performance against actual project outcomes.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting projects across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration.
• Professional certifications such as:
  AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
  AACE CEP or equivalent
  Experience utilizing:
  Cleopatra Enterprise
  AspenTech Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)
  Other industry-standard estimating software and databases
  Experience supporting major energy transition, conventional energy, chemical, mining, or industrial projects.
  Success Measures