Senior Electrical Cost Estimator - Data Center Construction

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Electrical Cost Estimator to support the delivery of large‑scale, mission‑critical data center programs. This role is central to the commercial planning and execution of hyperscale facilities, where electrical infrastructure represents a significant portion of total project cost, schedule risk, and operational performance.

The Senior Electrical Cost Estimator will lead the development of detailed electrical estimates for power distribution, backup generation, and critical systems, providing commercial and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle. This role works closely with engineering, construction, and procurement teams and requires strong technical expertise, sound estimating judgment, and experience in fast‑paced, standardized delivery environments.

Candidates for this role must be physically based in the United States and legally authorized to work in the U.S. Remote work is permitted only from within the United States; candidates located outside the U.S. cannot be considered for remote employment. Preference will be given to candidates based in Pacific or Central U.S. time zones.

 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of detailed electrical cost estimates for hyperscale data center projects, including medium‑ and low‑voltage distribution, substations, UPS systems, generators, switchgear, busway, grounding, and lighting systems.
• Perform and oversee comprehensive electrical quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, and BIM models, including conduit, cabling, transformers, generators, and associated infrastructure.
• Develop, validate, and challenge labor, material, and equipment pricing models aligned with project budgets, delivery strategies, and evolving market conditions.
• Establish and maintain historical cost data, benchmarks, and estimating standards to support large‑scale programs and future project forecasting.
• Review, analyze, and normalize electrical contractor and subcontractor bids, identifying scope gaps, cost risks, and commercial exposure.
• Lead and support value engineering and design optioneering efforts, evaluating alternative electrical systems, layouts, and installation methods while maintaining redundancy and reliability requirements.
• Partner closely with engineering, procurement, and construction leaders to inform electrical system decisions based on cost, constructability, schedule, and risk.
• Identify and proactively manage risks related to long‑lead electrical equipment, supply chain constraints, labor availability, and market escalation.
• Account for regional cost variability across U.S. markets, including labor rates, logistics constraints, permitting considerations, and utility interface requirements.
• Support estimating for large‑scale power infrastructure, including utility tie‑ins, substations, and campus‑wide electrical distribution.
• Contribute to standardized data center designs and repeatable delivery models, improving cost certainty, scalability, and speed to market.
• Ensure electrical estimates align with applicable codes, safety standards, sustainability objectives, and energy efficiency requirements.
• Prepare clear, defensible estimating deliverables and present findings to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Participate in cost reviews, procurement discussions, funding approvals, and commercial strategy sessions.
• Support change management by assessing electrical scope changes and cost impacts throughout the design and construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimating handover materials to construction teams to support alignment between estimate and execution.
• Offer mentorship and technical guidance to junior estimators and contribute to estimating best practices.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of experience in electrical estimating, with strong preference for data center, mission‑critical, or large‑scale infrastructure projects.
• Canadian Data Center experience preferred. 
• Advanced technical knowledge of power distribution systems, backup generation, UPS systems, electrical codes, and labor productivity.
• Demonstrated experience estimating high‑density and hyperscale electrical systems is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in estimating and takeoff tools such as Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, Bluebeam, or similar platforms, with strong familiarity interpreting BIM‑based information.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate cost drivers, assumptions, and risks.
• Proven ability to operate independently while providing leadership within a collaborative, multidisciplinary project environment.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

The salary range for this role is $100,000K-$170,000 USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.