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Leads development of Class 5-Class 1 cost estimates for gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines, facilities, regulator stations, and related assets.
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Establishes and maintains estimating standards, tools, benchmarks, and methodologies for major gas projects to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational processes.
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Partners with Engineering and Gas Operations to translate project scope (pipe diameter, materials, station design, HDD/boring, restoration, etc.) into quantifiable cost drivers.
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Integrates risk-based estimating practices, including contingency, escalation, and probabilistic analysis, reflecting gas-specific construction risks (ROW constraints, permitting, constructability, subsurface conditions).
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Supports project gating and capital planning by providing validated estimates, cost ranges, and confidence levels aligned with funding decisions.
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Coordinates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Construction to validate labor productivity, material pricing, contractor rates, and installation assumptions.
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Performs estimate reconciliation and benchmarking against historical gas project data to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.
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Develops and maintains gas-specific cost models, unit rates, and parametric tools for early-stage screening and portfolio prioritization.
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Supports procurement by preparing Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and participating in bid evaluations to ensure competitive pricing.
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Partners with Project Managers to transition estimates into executable project budgets, ensuring alignment with construction strategies and assumptions.
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Applies cost-control principles to support variance analysis, change management, and forecasting for gas capital projects.
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Communicates estimate basis, assumptions, risks, and confidence levels clearly to stakeholders, including leadership and governance bodies.
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Ensures all estimating activities reflect gas safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including constructability and compliance considerations.
Required Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent experience (minimum 10 years).
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7-10 years of experience in cost estimating, cost engineering, or project controls within gas utilities or similar infrastructure sectors.
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Demonstrated experience developing multi-discipline estimates for gas capital projects (pipelines, facilities, stations).
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Advanced proficiency in Excel and estimating tools, including large, complex models and datasets.
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Hands-on ability to build, manipulate, and validate detailed cost models, including formulas, data structuring, and scenario analysis.
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Ability to operate at the intersection of financial modeling and construction estimating, translating field-driven scope into structured outputs.
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Working knowledge of CBS, WBS, and gas project estimating classifications.
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Experience applying risk-adjusted estimating and contingency methodologies.
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Ability to develop defensible estimates under tight timelines, with clear documentation.
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Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate assumptions, risks, and outputs to senior leadership.
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Comfortable presenting in formal review settings and defending estimate positions.
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Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex estimating concepts for non-technical audiences.
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Ability to work under stringent deadlines and manage competing priorities.
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Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits.
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Valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience in regulated gas utility environments and large-scale capital programs.
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Professional certifications such as CCP, AACEI, or PMP.
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Experience supporting capital planning, portfolio prioritization, or regulatory filings for gas projects.
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Working knowledge of PHMSA regulations, state utility requirements, permitting, and safety standards.
Physical Demands
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Ability to work in field environments supporting gas construction and estimating validation activities.
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Must be able to work in areas of high noise, dust, extreme temperatures, confined spaces, and potential exposure to chemical hazards.
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Ability to walk project sites, including uneven terrain and active construction areas, as needed to validate estimating assumptions.
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Must be able to drive to and access multiple project locations.
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Ability to sit for extended periods while performing analytical and computer-based estimating work.
Nisource, Inc.
801 E 86th Ave
Merrillville
Indiana United States
www.nisource.com
