About this opportunity
HDR lists this Senior Estimator opportunity in columbia, South Carolina. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.
In the role of Senior Estimator, we'll count on you to:
Perform general or discipline cost estimating generating capital cost and/or services estimates; data analysis identifying problems and make recommendations; and control activities for project and/or proposal efforts
Support estimate reporting and reviews
Provide technical direction to assigned personnel when delegated
Execute simultaneous tasks within broadly defined parameters
Prepare services, distributable, contractor indirect and/or capital cost estimates in specialized discipline areas using current techniques and market pricing
Prepare cost/schedule products for proposals or contract negotiations
Provide input on the level of effort required (cost/job hours) through coordination with functions and/or vendors, and consolidate input for costing
Perform and review methodology for quantity takeoffs from design drawings for multidiscipline sections and customize forms to reflect best effort
Prepare detail pricing field office non-manual labor/other direct costs (ODC) and home office labor/ODCs
Produce capital costs estimate using a crew-based approach including formation of crews from multiple disciplines
Provide detail pricing for manual labor rates
Develop unit rates for discipline specific items
Assist in developing conceptual quantities to supplement partial design-build design documents
Prepare basis and assumption documentation denoting rationale, inclusions and exclusions
Calculate fee based on established fee model
Quantify and spread escalation based on project schedule and estimated costs
Develop and perform analysis of project cash models and the corresponding time value of money as the cost of working capital correlating scheduled activities and cost
Generate payment schedules
Support risk analysis assessment by identifying areas of risk
Support contingency efforts as directed
Assist in developing unit staffing, job hour and pricing data for a specific discipline or other specialty, including estimating parameters, factors, indices, and craft distribution reference data based on analysis of HDR and industry experience
Perform data analysis, identify problems and make recommendations
Identify or define data sources and techniques for data acquisition
Prepare reports and estimate summaries for estimate reviews, as directed by supervisor
Participate in estimate reviews and presentations as appropriate
Support training activities as needed
Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
Previous field experience
Knowledge and understanding of MEP systems
Preferred project experience to include: Data Center, Chip Manufacturing, Industrial, Healthcare or Lab Science
Experience with Sage, Timberline, Bluebeam, Revit, HCSS, Excel, Navisworks or Synchro
Certifications (one or more): AEP, CCT, CEP, CACM, CMIT, PSP, EVP, PMI-SP, EIT
Ability to interpret construction schedules
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Construction Science Engineering or equivalent experience
A minimum of 10 years' related experience
Advanced understanding of Microsoft Office software
Advanced understanding of construction estimating concepts, construction scheduling and elements associated with Risk
Intermediate Management fundamentals
Able to lead small project estimates
Good verbal and written communication skills
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
Sponsorship (visa) for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) $107,464 - $202,000
Primary Location: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
Other Locations: United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Texas-Round Rock, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Georgia, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-Texas, United States-Nebraska-Lincoln, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Virginia-Portsmouth, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Texas-Taylor, United States-New York-New York, United States-Arizona-Tucson, United States-Texas-Fort Worth, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-Colorado-Colorado Springs, United States-Virginia-Alexandria, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-Texas-Tyler, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-South Carolina-Greenville, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-Colorado, United States-South Carolina, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-New York, United States-Washington, United States-Virginia-Richmond, United States-Texas-Waco, United States-North Carolina, United States-Pennsylvania-Harrisburg, United States-Arizona, United States-Missouri, United States-Utah, United States-Pennsylvania, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Texas-San Antonio, United States-Virginia, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-Virginia-Arlington, United States-Virginia-Norfolk
Industry: Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
BusinessClass: Project Controls
Job Posting: Jul 29, 2026
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affine Action and Equal Opportunity Employer ( We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
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Worksite address
columbia, SC, 29228, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.