Job Summary
The BESS Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. This role develops detailed civil, electrical, and balance-of-plant estimates using Trimble B2W (Heavy Bid) and collaborates with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to support bid strategy, pricing, and project execution planning.
Job Responsibilities:
Estimating & Cost Development
- Prepare detailed conceptual, budgetary, and definitive cost estimates for BESS projects.
- Develop quantity takeoffs and pricing for civil, structural, electrical, and balance-of-plant scopes.
- Build and maintain estimates using Trimble B2W (Heavy Bid).
- Apply historical cost data, productivity factors, and crew compositions.
- Develop indirect costs including general conditions, mobilization, temporary facilities, and commissioning support.
Technical & Scope Review
- Review RFPs, IFC / IFB / Initial Design drawings, SOW’s, specifications, contracts and other documents to determine full project scope.
- Identify constructability issues, scope gaps, and commercial risks.
- Support value engineering and alternative means and methods.
Vendor & Subcontractor Pricing
- Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier bids.
- Develop pricing for battery containers, inverters, transformers, cabling, foundations, civil work, installation labor and other work as required for project execution.
- Coordinate with OEMs and major equipment vendors.
Cost Risk & Contingency
- Develop project contingency based on risk profiles.
- Identify cost drivers, escalation risks, and supply chain impacts.
- Support sensitivity analyses and pricing scenarios.
Preconstruction & Handover
- Participate in bid reviews, estimating closeouts, and turnover meetings.
- Support schedule development and logistics planning.
- Prepare estimate narratives, clarifications, and assumptions.
- Facilitate bid turnover to the ops team upon award.
