Estimator & Planner

Summary

The Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Estimator / Planner is responsible for developing accurate, competitive cost estimates and coordinating detailed work planning activities for industrial electrical and instrumentation construction, maintenance, turnaround, and capital projects. This position combines estimating expertise with project planning to ensure work scopes are accurately defined, appropriately priced, properly resourced, and effectively prepared for field execution. Responsibilities include reviewing technical documents, performing quantity take-offs, developing labor and material estimates, preparing work packages, identifying resource and equipment requirements, coordinating material availability, and supporting project scheduling and execution strategies. The position works closely with operations, engineering, procurement, project management, field supervision, vendors, subcontractors, and customers to support successful project bidding, planning, and execution across refining, petrochemical, chemical, power generation, LNG, manufacturing, and other industrial environments.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent technical training and relevant industrial experience may be considered.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in electrical and instrumentation estimating, project planning, construction, maintenance, or related industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing estimates, work plans, or work packages for industrial E&I construction, maintenance, turnaround, or capital projects.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, P&IDs, one-line diagrams, cable schedules, instrument indexes, and construction documents.
• Experience performing material quantity take-offs, developing labor-hour estimates, and identifying equipment and resource requirements.
• Experience coordinating project materials, vendor quotations, subcontractor pricing, and work execution requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with electronic take-off, estimating, planning, or scheduling software; Bluebeam experience preferred.
• Familiarity with project scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet Company driving requirements when travel is required..

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of industrial electrical and instrumentation construction methods, materials, equipment, and installation practices.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including NEC, NFPA, ISA, and IEEE requirements.
• Understanding of industrial maintenance, construction sequencing, turnaround planning, and field execution processes.
• Knowledge of labor productivity, crew composition, manpower planning, equipment utilization, and construction scheduling.
• Ability to develop accurate estimates, detailed work packages, labor forecasts, material lists, and execution plans.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and translate project requirements into clearly defined, executable work activities.
• Understanding of work breakdown structures (WBS), task sequencing, critical-path activities, and project milestones.
• Ability to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, scheduling conflicts, resource constraints, and potential cost impacts.
• Knowledge of material procurement processes, lead times, and coordination of equipment and subcontractor requirements.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, planning assignments, and competing project deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate with management, customers, field personnel, and subcontractors.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Essential Functions

Estimating Responsibilities

• Review invitations to bid, drawings, specifications, scope documents, schedules, and contract requirements to develop a comprehensive understanding of project needs.
• Perform detailed quantity take-offs for electrical and instrumentation systems, including conduit, cable, cable tray, equipment, instruments, controls, terminations, and associated materials.
• Develop labor-hour estimates based on installation methods, crew composition, productivity factors, site conditions, and schedule requirements.
• Prepare detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, indirect costs, and other project expenses.
• Solicit, evaluate, and incorporate vendor and subcontractor quotations into project estimates.
• Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, constructability concerns, productivity impacts, and potential project risks.
• Develop bid assumptions, clarifications, qualifications, inclusions, and exclusions.
• Prepare cost estimates, pricing summaries, bid proposals, and supporting documentation for management review and customer submission.
• Participate in estimate reviews and provide recommendations regarding pricing, contingency, risk, value engineering, and bid strategy.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walkthroughs, and customer scope reviews as required.
• Prepare estimates for change orders, additional work, and scope modifications.
• Maintain historical cost data, labor productivity information, and estimating records to support future project pricing.

Planning and Scheduling Responsibilities

• Develop detailed execution plans and work packages for electrical and instrumentation construction, maintenance, turnaround, and project activities.
• Review project scopes, drawings, specifications, and field conditions to identify work requirements, execution methods, and necessary resources.
• Break down project scopes into defined work activities, identifying labor hours, crew sizes, materials, equipment, tools, and subcontractor requirements.
• Establish logical work sequences, task durations, milestones, and dependencies to support project scheduling.
• Coordinate with project management and field supervision to develop and maintain work schedules consistent with project requirements and available resources.
• Prepare material take-offs, bills of materials, and equipment lists to support procurement and work execution.
• Coordinate with procurement and vendors to verify material availability, delivery schedules, and long-lead equipment requirements.
• Identify specialty tools, lifting equipment, access requirements, temporary facilities, and other resources necessary to complete assigned work.
• Develop work packages containing applicable drawings, scope descriptions, material requirements, estimated labor hours, work instructions, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with operations and HSE personnel to identify applicable permits, site access requirements, safety considerations, and work restrictions during planning.
• Participate in project planning meetings, schedule reviews, and coordination discussions with field supervision, customers, and subcontractors.
• Support manpower planning by identifying anticipated craft requirements, crew composition, and labor loading throughout project execution.
• Monitor planning assumptions and coordinate updates when changes in scope, materials, schedule, or field conditions affect planned work.
• Identify potential work conflicts, resource shortages, material delays, and execution constraints, recommending corrective actions to minimize disruption.
• Support shutdown and turnaround planning, including work prioritization, sequencing, material readiness, and coordination of concurrent activities.
• Assist with tracking planned versus actual labor hours, progress, and productivity to support project performance evaluations and future planning improvements.

Project Coordination and Execution Support

• Coordinate with operations, engineering, procurement, project management, and field supervision to ensure estimates and execution plans accurately reflect project requirements.
• Participate in project turnover meetings following award to communicate estimate assumptions, project scope, labor budgets, material requirements, execution strategies, and identified risks.
• Assist project teams with evaluating scope changes, field modifications, and schedule impacts.
• Support customer meetings, planning reviews, and project progress discussions as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve project cost, productivity, constructability, and execution efficiency.
• Maintain organized estimating files, planning documents, work packages, and project records in accordance with Company requirements.
• Participate in post-project reviews to evaluate estimate accuracy, planning effectiveness, productivity, and lessons learned.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on operational and project needs.

Physical Demands

• Ability to perform work primarily in an office environment, including prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during project site visits, inspections, and planning activities.
• Ability to navigate active industrial and construction environments, including uneven surfaces, stairs, ladders, and elevated work areas.
• Ability to bend, kneel, climb, reach, push, pull, and perform other physical activities as necessary.
• Ability to maintain three-point contact when climbing ladders.
• Ability to occasionally lift or carry up to 25–50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, protective footwear, hearing protection, gloves, respiratory protection, and fall protection equipment as applicable.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic travel to industrial facilities, construction sites, customer locations, and project offices.
• Field visits may involve exposure to extreme temperatures, weather conditions, high noise levels, dust, fumes, hazardous materials, and operating industrial equipment.
• May involve working near electrical systems, energized equipment, elevated work areas, and confined spaces, subject to applicable safety requirements.
• Strict adherence to Company safety policies, customer site requirements, and applicable regulatory standards is mandatory.
• Occasional travel may be required for site assessments, pre-bid meetings, project planning, turnaround support, and customer coordination.
• Extended hours may be necessary to meet proposal deadlines, project schedules, and operational requirements.