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Zachry Group

Turnkey engineering and construction services

Estimator 4

Full-TimePosted on 10/22/2026
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's
Houston, TX, USA+3 moreMore locations: Greenville, SC, USA | Charlotte, NC, USA | Downers Grove, IL, USA
In Person
Project & Program Management

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related technical field is required.
  • At least 10 years of estimating experience supporting EPC, EPCM, design-build, or major capital project environments is required.
  • Demonstrated experience developing estimates for power generation, process, chemical, refining, LNG, industrial, or nuclear projects is required.
  • Advanced proficiency with Cleopatra Enterprise estimating software is required.
  • Experience developing Class 5 through Class 1 estimates is required.
  • Strong understanding of construction means and methods, labor productivity, equipment costs, indirect costs, escalation, and contingency development is required.
  • Experience reviewing engineering deliverables, including PFDs, P&IDs, plot plans, equipment lists, specifications, and quantity takeoffs, is required.
  • Ability to lead estimate teams and coordinate multidisciplinary estimate development efforts is required.
  • Ability to effectively present estimate results to senior leadership and clients is required.
Responsibilities
  • Lead development of conceptual, FEED, and detailed EPC capital cost estimates for power, process, industrial, and nuclear projects.
  • Prepare and review estimate basis documents, assumptions, exclusions, risks, and estimate methodologies.
  • Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction, project controls, and business development teams to develop accurate project cost forecasts.
  • Develop direct and indirect cost estimates, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, construction services, and home office costs.
  • Use historical data, benchmarking, and productivity metrics to validate estimate accuracy and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Perform quantity reviews and estimate validation using engineering deliverables, vendor quotations, and historical project information.
  • Evaluate project risks and develop contingency recommendations based on estimate maturity and project complexity.
  • Lead estimate review meetings and present estimate results to project leadership, clients, and executive management.
  • Support proposal development, project pursuits, and business development activities.
  • Mentor junior estimators and provide technical guidance on estimating methodologies, systems, and best practices.
  • Collaborate with project controls teams to align estimating, scheduling, forecasting, and project execution strategies.
  • Support estimate-to-project handoff activities and provide estimating support throughout project execution as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience estimating combined-cycle power generation projects.
  • Experience supporting nuclear or Department of Energy projects.
  • Aspen Capital Cost Estimator experience or certification.
  • Experience with risk analysis and contingency modeling.
  • Experience supporting proposals exceeding $100 million in total installed cost.
  • Knowledge of project controls, scheduling, earned value management, and cost forecasting processes.

About the company

Zachry Group provides turnkey engineering, construction, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services for the energy, chemicals, power, manufacturing and industrial sectors in North America. It covers the full project lifecycle by helping customers plan, build and renew critical facilities, often as a single‑point provider responsible for the entire scope. The company executes projects through engineering, procurement, fabrication and on-site construction with a strong emphasis on safety and reliable delivery. What sets Zachry Group apart is its long history (since 1924), a purpose‑driven culture and a consistent focus on safety, quality and meeting customers’ immediate and long-term goals across diverse sectors. Its goal is to help clients achieve their objectives by delivering the best possible outcomes while maintaining high safety standards.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

San Antonio, Texas

Founded

1924

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • NiSource awarded Zachry a 2025 EPC contract for a 2,600-megawatt Indiana project.
  • Zachry Maintenance Services won 10-year Cheniere renewal on March 30, 2026.
  • Chevron Phillips extended Zachry Maintenance Services five years on February 2, 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Zachry's May 2024 Golden Pass bankruptcy exposed brutal project overruns and liquidity strain.
  • July 30, 2026 Sabine Pass worker death triggered wrongful-death litigation against Zachry and Cheniere.
  • Texas operations still carry labor and safety overhangs after 4,000-plus layoffs and WARN scrutiny.

What makes Zachry Group unique

  • Zachry's 100-plus gas plants and 60,000-megawatt pedigree wins utility EPC work.
  • Zachry's 2026 nuclear push, including Terrestrial Energy and new nuclear leaders, broadens optionality.
  • Quanta joint venture on NiSource pairs Zachry engineering depth with stronger field execution.

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Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options

Company News

Business Wire
Oct 30th, 2025
Zachry Group Awarded Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contract for NiSource's Combined Cycle Generation Project

Zachry Group awarded Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for NiSource's Combined Cycle Generation Project. SAN ANTONIO-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Zachry Group (Zachry) has been awarded the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for NiSource Inc.'s Combined Cycle Generation Project, a major infrastructure project located near Wheatfield, Indiana. The facility will support NiSource's delivery of electricity to a third-party customer and includes two nominal 1,300-megawatt gas-fired combined cycle units in a 2 x 2 x 1 configuration. A subsidiary of NiSource Inc. will own and operate the facility. The EPC contract will be executed by a joint venture between Zachry Group and Quanta Services, Inc. (Quanta). Zachry will lead engineering, procurement, project management, construction planning, and commissioning, drawing on its five decades of experience designing and building over 100 gas-fired facilities totaling more than 60,000 megawatts. Quanta will contribute field-level leadership and craft workforce management through its operating companies. This collaborative approach is designed to enhance execution certainty, optimize labor resources, and deliver cost-effective, high-quality infrastructure. "We are honored to partner with NiSource Inc. on this landmark project that reflects our shared commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions," said John B. Zachry, Chairman and CEO of Zachry Group. "Working alongside Quanta, we're combining our complementary strengths to execute a project of this scale with precision and innovation. Together, we're proud to support the region's energy future." "NiSource is committed to advancing transformative growth while ensuring that customer affordability remains at the heart of our strategy," said Lloyd Yates, President and Chief Executive Officer of NiSource. "Through this collaboration with Zachry and Quanta, we are expanding generation and grid infrastructure in a way that supports economic development and innovation while protecting customers from the costs of infrastructure investment. We are excited to partner with Zachry and Quanta to meet the evolving energy needs of our customers and communities." "We're proud to collaborate with Zachry Group, a company that shares Quanta's commitment to safety, performance, and delivering results that matter," said Duke Austin, Quanta's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have respected Zachry's capabilities for decades, and together, we look forward to delivering this critical infrastructure project for NiSource." About Zachry Group Zachry Group is North America's pacesetter in turnkey engineering, construction, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services to the energy, chemicals, power, manufacturing and industrial sectors. We work with customers to plan, build, and renew their most critical facilities, so they can achieve their immediate and long-term goals, all at the highest safety standards. Since 1924, we have been a purpose-driven organization, united by a shared set of values and the desire to deliver the very best outcome for our customers. Visit www.zachrygroup.com for more information.

MySA
May 27th, 2025
How a 101-year-old San Antonio company began climbing out of bankruptcy

Shortly after the company pulled away from the natural gas project, the Zachry Holdings subsidiary (Zachry Industrial Inc.) laid off more than 4,000 workers.

12NewsNow
Jul 9th, 2024
Zachry Holdings lays off 126 more workers

BEAUMONT, Texas - Zachry Holdings has once again found itself facing scrutiny, after laying off 126 more people between Beaumont, Orange, Sabine Pass, and Baytown.

Natural Gas Intelligence
Jun 27th, 2024
Plaquemines Export Project Receives Feed Gas as Testing Continues - Three Things to Know About the LNG Market

As the lead contractor in charge of staffing construction activities, Zachry's financial issues and ongoing bankruptcy proceedings have prevented the remaining contractors from resuming large-scale construction.

12NewsNow
Jun 18th, 2024
Zachry Holdings faces lawsuit, accusation of violating federal law in mass layoffs at Golden Pass LNG

Zachry Holdings faces lawsuit, accusation of violating federal law in mass layoffs at Golden Pass LNG.