Cost Estimating Engineer II (FEED)

Hiring manager is looking for a LONG-TERM CULTURAL FIT, not just technical skills. Critical Success Factors Cultural Fit = 50% of Decision - Team integration is as important as technical ability Long-Term Commitment - HM wants someone who sees this as a career, not a 6-month gig Team Chemistry - Panel interview will heavily weigh collaboration and communication style Action-Oriented - Must be proactive, self-directed, minimal micromanagement needed Red Flags to Screen Out Early ❌ Candidates seeking short-term contracts only ❌ "Heads-down" workers who prefer minimal team interaction ❌ Resistance to learning company-specific systems ❌ Poor communication or unwillingness to engage socially with team ❌ Job hoppers with no pattern of long-term employment Team Structure & Culture Team Composition: 4 FEED Engineers (core estimating team) 1 Execution Engineer (technical SME/resource) Recently restructured - relatively young team VERY close-knit and social - they eat lunch together daily Collaborative environment where team members support each other Cultural DNA: Young, energetic, team-oriented Social beyond work tasks (lunches, team bonding) Supportive and collaborative (not competitive) Values proactive communication and asking questions Resilient in face of project volatility ? WHAT THE FEED ENGINEER ACTUALLY DOES The Role in Simple Terms FEED Engineers are "estimating detectives" who determine what infrastructure projects will cost BEFORE Williams commits to building them. When a customer (like ExxonMobil) wants to connect to Williams' pipeline, the FEED Engineer figures out: What facilities are needed (meter station? interconnect? compressor?) Preliminary technical design/scope Cost estimate (labor, materials, equipment, contractors) Timeline estimate Then Commercial uses this to negotiate with the customer and decide if the project makes financial sense. Day-to-Day Responsibilities Cost Estimating (70% of role): Develop AACE Class III, IV, V estimates for interconnects, meter stations, compression facilities Break down costs: labor, materials, equipment, contractor/subcontractor, contingencies Contact vendors for budgetary quotes and equipment pricing Analyze historical project costs to inform new estimates Target accuracy: ±20-30% for Class III estimates Scope Development (20% of role): Define technical requirements based on customer needs Create preliminary meter station schematics Determine equipment sizing and specifications Conduct capacity studies for interconnect proposals Develop desk-top feasibility studies Stakeholder Collaboration (10% of role): Work with Commercial/Business Development on customer proposals Interface with System Planning, Regulatory, Engineering teams Communicate directly with customers about scope and costs Present estimates to internal leadership and external clients Review Interconnect & Facility Agreements Project Scale Tactical: Major: $10M - $200M (new facilities, extensions) Mega: $200M+ (major pipeline systems, large compression) Candidate will manage 5-10+ concurrent estimates at various stages of development. MUST-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS (Non-Negotiables) Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Petroleum) - PREFERRED (not absolute requirement, but strongly desired) 3-5 years engineering experience with cost estimating focus - REQUIRED Oil & gas, utilities, power, or heavy industrial experience - HIGHLY PREFERRED Technical Skills - REQUIRED Advanced Excel proficiency - complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, macros Cost estimating experience - proven ability to develop detailed project cost breakdowns Understanding of construction costs - labor rates, material pricing, contractor costs Knowledge of AACE estimating standards (Class III, IV, V) - STRONG PLUS Technical Skills - PREFERRED (Nice-to-Have) Power BI or data visualization tools Primavera P6 or MS Project Cost estimating software (CostX, InEight, etc.) Midstream/pipeline industry knowledge Understanding of meter stations, interconnects, compression facilities Soft Skills - CRITICAL (Deal-Breakers if Missing) Team-oriented and collaborative - must enjoy working closely with others Excellent communication - written, verbal, presentation skills Proactive and self-directed - minimal micromanagement needed Action-oriented problem solver - doesn't wait to be told what to do Adaptable to change - handles project volatility and shifting priorities Quick learner - asks questions, seeks feedback, learns systems fast Socially comfortable - willing to integrate with team beyond work tasks ? IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE The Perfect Fit Background: 3-5 years in project controls, cost estimating, or FEED engineering Oil & gas (upstream, midstream, or downstream) experience preferred Has developed Class III/IV estimates for capital projects $5M+ Track record of 2+ years at previous employers (shows commitment) Engineering degree from accredited university Technical Capabilities: Can walk through an estimate they built from scratch Understands how to gather vendor quotes and analyze pricing Knows construction methods and can estimate labor hours Comfortable with preliminary engineering (sizing equipment, creating basic schematics) Has used cost databases or historical project data Personality & Work Style: Genuinely likes working in teams - gets energy from collaboration Communicates proactively (sends updates without being asked) Asks clarifying questions when uncertain Comfortable presenting to customers and leadership Handles stress well when juggling multiple deadlines Shows up for team lunches and social activities Explicitly states interest in long-term opportunity - not just "I need a contract" Career Trajectory: Looking to BUILD a career, not just fill a gap between jobs Interested in learning Williams' systems and becoming an expert Open to contract-to-perm conversion Wants to grow into senior FEED engineer or project management roles Values stability and long-term relationship Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.

Created: 2026-03-07