USA DeBusk offers the industrial infrastructure sector a technologically advanced and complementary suite of high-value traditional and specialty services for turnarounds, routine maintenance, and unplanned outages. We help customers save time, reduce costs, and optimize their processes while assuring best-in-class safety and compliance. Primary service lines include chemical cleaning; emission controls; fabrication services; FCCU hot catalyst handling; hydro blasting; hydro excavation; hydro cutting; inert catalyst handling; inspection; mechanical rental; nitrogen; pigging, decoking & filtration; pipeline integrity and field services; reactor cleaning; tank cleaning; transportation; unit decontamination; vacuum services; and waste solutions. USA DeBusk was founded in 2012 and our headquarters is in Deer Park, TX. We operate numerous offices, service centers, and customer-site-based locations across North America. Visit www.usadebusk.com for more information.
Summary/Objective:
The Pipeline Construction Estimating Manager is responsible for leading the estimating department and overseeing the preparation of accurate, competitive, and profitable cost estimates for pipeline, facility, integrity, mechanical, and civil construction projects. This position provides strategic leadership to the estimating team, establishes department standards and best practices, and ensures all proposals are completed on schedule while aligning with company objectives, client requirements, and profitability goals.
This position is primarily office-based with occasional travel to client locations and active construction sites. The role requires collaboration across multiple departments and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and a strong commitment to safety and quality.
Responsibilities:
May include, but are not limited to, the following
- Lead all estimating activities for pipeline, facility, integrity, mechanical, and civil construction projects.
- Develop accurate, competitive cost estimates while maintaining target profit margins.
- Manage the estimating workload, proposal schedule, and department priorities to ensure timely bid submissions.
- Assign estimating responsibilities based on project complexity, workload, and team expertise.
- Review completed estimates for accuracy, completeness, constructability, and compliance with company standards.
- Establish and maintain estimating standards, templates, processes, and best practices to improve consistency and efficiency.
- Mentor, coach, and develop estimating personnel through training and performance feedback.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement.
- Lead the preparation of detailed labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates.
- Review project plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents to identify scope, risks, and estimating requirements.
- Coordinate with Operations, Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, and Business Development during the bid process.
- Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate vendor and subcontractor quotations.
- Ensure estimates include appropriate contingencies, production rates, indirect costs, and overhead allocations.
- Prepare bid summaries, executive reviews, and final pricing recommendations for senior leadership approval.
- Participate in proposal development, client presentations, and pre-bid meetings as required.
- Evaluate project risks, opportunities, and execution strategies during the estimating phase.
- Recommend alternative construction methods and value engineering opportunities to improve competitiveness.
- Analyze historical project costs and production data to improve estimating accuracy.
- Develop estimating metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure department performance.
- Conduct post-bid and post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and implement process improvements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and industry partners.
- Support business development efforts by identifying upcoming bid opportunities and market trends.
- Participate in client meetings, project site visits, and pre-bid conferences when appropriate.
- Assist with contract negotiations and scope clarification during project award.
- Ensure all estimates comply with company policies, client requirements, and applicable industry standards.
- Maintain confidentiality of pricing strategies and proprietary estimating information.
- Promote a culture of safety, quality, and ethical business practices throughout the estimating process.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- 7+ years of progressive estimating experience in pipeline construction, facility construction, integrity services, mechanical construction, civil construction, or related energy infrastructure.
- Minimum of 5 years of estimating leadership or management experience.
- Proven experience estimating large-scale industrial, midstream, upstream, utility, or energy infrastructure projects.
- Strong understanding of construction means and methods, project scheduling, productivity factors, and cost control.
- Experience reviewing contracts, specifications, drawings, and technical documentation. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Expert knowledge of pipeline construction estimating methodologies.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with estimating software.
- Ability to develop standardized estimating tools, templates, and databases.
- Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to present estimates and pricing strategies to executive leadership.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
- Occasional travel to project sites, client meetings, and pre-bid walkthroughs.
- Ability to work additional hours as needed to meet proposal deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Estimating for transmission, gathering, distribution, and integrity pipeline projects.
- Experience with facility construction including compressor stations, pump stations, terminals, and process piping.
- Knowledge of civil site development, earthwork, concrete, and structural construction.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, or similar estimating and project management software.
- Experience working with EPC, unit-rate, lump sum, and time-and-material contracts.
Physical Requirements
to be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:
Must be capable of traveling up to 40% as required
- Must be capable of regularly speaking and hearing while utilizing hands to control or manipulate objects.
- Must be capable of seeing close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
- Must be capable of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending or reaching above the shoulders.
- Must be capable of lifting objects weighing up to 15 pounds occasionally.
- Must be capable of performing computer-based tasks while sitting or standing at a computer-based workstation for prolonged periods of time.
- Must be able to make general decisions requiring judgement and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
USA DeBusk is an equal opportunity employer, and we thrive on our differences for the benefit of our employees, our customers, and our community. It is our policy to provide equal opportunities in all decisions related to hiring, training, and promoting regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any legally protected characteristic or class.
