CRB's nearly 1,800 expert professionals drive innovative, life-changing and life-saving solutions for manufacturers in the life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our mission, vision, and core values put client satisfaction and employee experience at the center of everything we do.  

As an AEC Firm we proudly specialize in industries that inherently carry important social responsibility - we recognize our impact and influence in the communities we serve and pursue corporate responsibility through the lens of people, community, and planet. From oncology and rare disorders to COVID-19 or alternative proteins, our design and construction projects are pioneering solutions addressing important issues such as food scarcity and global health.

As a Project Lead Estimator, you'll have the unique opportunity to work within an integrated Architecture, Engineering, and Construction firm capable of executing ONEsolution integrated project delivery work. Experience collaboration and continuous learning like never before amongst subject matter experts spanning across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, process, and automation engineering; architecture and lab planning; procurement, estimation, virtual design & construction, health & safety, and construction management. This diversity of professionals allows us to provide innovative & impactful solutions to the Life Sciences and Food & Bev industries in an era where speed, quality, and creativity have never been more critical. 

How will I contribute?

The Project Lead Estimator will prepare project cost estimates through the implementation of CRB’s estimation, subcontracting, and partnering procedures. This role is expected to engage the market in alignment with strategies, support, and leadership from the operations team when preparing estimates and budgets for design-assist, design-build, and competitive bid projects.

At times, this role will be solely in charge of developing bid strategies and execution of market engagement. Your discipline estimating experience will be leveraged in the direct preparation of bottoms-up estimates in your area of expertise while managing the contribution of estimators from other disciplines.

This role will require strong subcontractor relationships and the ability to further cultivate relationships with trades to solicit market pricing to support project estimates, budgets and GMPs. This role will coordinate and distribute bid documents to trades, coordinate post bid meetings, and normalize sub bids/estimates. This role will also develop preliminary indirect costs for the project and work with project leadership to review and adjust these costs to align with the intended execution strategy.

The Project Lead Estimator will collaborate with project leadership in the development of scopes of work and other supporting documents required to produce complete bid packages. The Project Lead Estimator is expected to be a compliment to the extended project team; for certain projects, this role may participate in portions of the procurement process whereas for other projects this role will be expected to manage complete buyout up to recommendation for award. The Project Lead Estimator will schedule coordinating meetings, manage and distribute documentation, assemble the final estimate package, and present the estimate to internal and external stakeholders. As a member of a larger project team, you will lead efforts to mitigate risk and provide value-driven solutions in alignment with the project’s conditions of satisfaction.

At times, the Project Lead Estimator will contribute to and/or lead estimating projects for other regions and/or utilize resources from other offices in addition to supporting procedural refinements and market feedback on estimating data. Your work product will aid our clients’ decision-making during the design process and support CRB teams in securing and delivering Design, Construction Management, and Integrated (EPC/M/V) projects. The Project Lead Estimator must be able to effectively communicate the contents of an estimate/budget package to both internal and external clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of project cost estimates and Basis of Estimate documents
• Ensure all meetings required for the development of an estimate are scheduled and attended
• Work with project teams to ensure the latest documents are provided to the estimating team
• Facilitate discussions between designers, discipline estimators, and other project team members as required to ensure comprehensive coverage of the intended scope during the development of the estimate
• Attend pre-estimate project meetings and provide input on areas of constructability and value
• Conduct subcontractor labor and market studies, and make recommendations based on those results
• Review all project plans, models, export schedules, specifications, and documents to ensure a complete understanding of the required scope
• Engage the design team to understand the intended scope and obtain any additional information required to develop the estimate for its intended purpose
• Develop lists of prequalified bidders and present to the project team prior to the solicitation of pricing
• Prepare and deliver bid packages to subcontractors
• Present estimating information in site and pre-bid meetings
• Lead the evaluation and conditioning of subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Incorporate market pricing and identify and fill gaps when preparing market-supported estimates
• On projects involving early trade partner participation, develop project-specific templates for use in the development of the estimate.
• Evaluate fees, contingencies, schedule acceleration, and escalation, and make recommendations to project teams
• Review commercial terms and conditions with legal counsel for cost and risk items and present concerns to the Regional Estimating Manager and Business Unit Leader
• Ensure CRB risk management processes are followed for all estimates leveraged as proposals or bids
• Establish the specific Work Breakdown Structure required for the estimate and ensure contributing estimators adhere to the WBS Communicate scope changes or otherwise new information to estimators working on other disciplines
• Develop comprehensive labor, material, and equipment pricing for the discipline(s) you directly execute while leading the estimate
• Offer cost-effective alternates during the estimating process
• Merge discipline estimates to provide comprehensive estimate detail
• Prepare a summary of differences in quantities between estimates
• Ensure contributing estimators thoroughly document assumptions in the Basis of Estimate
• Develop estimate summary documents
• Prepare preliminary soft costs and review with the project management team
• Review plans and specifications for risk issues and propose mitigation strategies
• Perform project risk analyses
• Lead internal and external estimate review meetings
• Complete work in a timely manner in support of assigned completion schedules
• Support estimates for other regions as workload dictates
• Maintain a "value-added" approach to estimating

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10 years of multi-discipline estimating, Lead Estimator experience, or a combination of either with design-build engineering experience preferred
• Experience with the following types of projects: Life Science Projects; Industrial Projects; Commercial Projects

Additional Qualifications

• Previous experience delivering estimates through both direct preparation and by leading other estimators
• Strong math and analytical skills and attention to detail
• Self-starter, highly motivated with the ability to build trust and influence others
• Experience working on multiple projects concurrently
• Proficient in MS Office with emphasis on strong Excel skills
• Advanced ability to read and interpret drawings, models, and specifications
• Ability to prepare quantity surveys
• Proficient in construction estimating software
• Ability to conduct, or learn how to conduct, risk analyses from the perspectives of both CRB and our Clients
• Field experience or knowledge of field operations through project support
• Experience with large-scale projects with an emphasis on complex industrial projects
• Knowledge of project processes and how each supports the successful completion of a project.
• In-depth knowledge of Lump Sum, Design Build, and GMP procurement processes for Prime Contracts
• Understand and be able to deploy CRB’s procurement processes including having a strong grasp and unwavering commitment to ethical procurement.
• Have a working knowledge of Lean process and philosophy
• Some knowledge about internal Cost Systems, Level I and II Schedules, Work Breakdown Structures, and typical phases of project execution
• Familiar with the following concepts: use of allowances, escalation, benchmarking, unit rates for key commodities, construction contingency, craft productivity considerations, and indirect costs typical to CRB projects.
• Be able to develop General Requirements, General Conditions, and other Indirect Costs for the estimate
• Know specific trades and their typical scopes of work Strong Subcontractor Relationships and Ability to Communicate With Subtrades Ability to Coordinate With Internal and External Clients Experience Coordinating and Developing Bid Documents With the Project Team Experience Normalizing Bids and Conducting Post Bid Interviews
• Possess a general understanding of required construction technology
• Ability to plan, organize, document, perform, review, and present multiple projects with minimum supervision

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

#LI-Hybrid
The pay range for a candidate selected for this position who is based in San Diego is typically $105,300 to $168,500 annually. The base salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. The selected candidate’s actual pay will be based on various factors, including but not limited to work location, qualifications, and relevant experience. In addition, CRB offers a total rewards package that includes comprehensive insurance coverage as well as the opportunity to participate in one or more annual incentive programs based on company and individual performance.  

CRB is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. Employment is contingent on background screening.

CRB does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of CRB without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of CRB. Please, no phone calls or emails.

CRB offers a complete and competitive benefit package designed to meet individual and family needs.

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.