Senior Estimator, Pacific Link (Contract)

Trans Mountain Corporation operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast. We deliver approximately 890,000 barrels of petroleum products each day through a dual pipeline system of more than 1,150 kilometres of pipeline in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

Trans Mountain also operates a state-of-the-art loading facility, Westridge Marine Terminal, with three berths providing tidewater access to global markets.  

As a federal Crown corporation, Trans Mountain continues to build on more than 70 years of experience delivering operational and safety excellence through our crude oil pipeline system. 

With our expanded pipeline system now in place, Trans Mountain provides enhanced direct access for Canadian crude oil to world markets. The expansion realizes a world-class system for oil transport, developed to Canada’s high standards within one of the most stringent regulatory regimes in the world, creating long-term economic benefits, enhanced marine protection, enhanced safety and emergency management capabilities, and enhanced skilled-worker capacity building in communities and Indigenous groups.

Our Core Values

Trans Mountain’s core values – Safety, Integrity, Respect and Excellence – guide our every step. Each obstacle we’ve overcome or success we’ve experienced has been the result of a shared commitment to living these values every day. Together, we’re focused on doing the right thing for each other and our communities. If you are looking for an opportunity to apply your strengths in an environment that encourages Safety, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence, we invite you to explore this opportunity with us!

Location: Calgary, AB                                       

Department: Pacific Link               

Reports to: Director, Project Services

Worker Type: Contract     

Schedule Type: Full-Time  

Work Setting: In-office     

Trans Mountain is seeking a collaborative, motivated and values-driven individual to join the Pacific Link team as a Senior Estimator on full-time basis. Working within the Project Controls function, this role is accountable for developing, maintaining and assuring project cost estimates across the Pacific Link project lifecycle, from early concept and option evaluation through definition, sanction, execution readiness and delivery.

The role provides independent, evidence-based cost insight to project leaders and governance bodies by integrating scope, quantities, market intelligence, contracting assumptions, schedule, risk and contingency into transparent and decision-ready estimates. The successful candidate will also help establish durable estimating standards, tools, historical cost data and assurance practices for Pacific Link, while working closely with Engineering, Construction, Supply Chain, Finance, Risk, Scheduling, project partners, contractors and service providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, compile, integrate and maintain Class 5 through Class 3 cost estimates, incorporating and reconciling estimate inputs from engineering contractors, consultants, vendors, partners and internal disciplines using methodologies appropriate to the maturity of project definition.
• Prepare complete estimate deliverables, including quantity take-offs, cost models, estimate workbooks, pricing summaries, basis-of-estimate documentation, assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, escalation, productivity factors and cash-flow profiles.
• Review project scope, engineering deliverables, design criteria, execution plans, schedules, contracting strategies, technical studies and vendor or contractor proposals to confirm estimate completeness, alignment and traceability.
• Work with Engineering and Construction teams to translate technical definition, constructability, sequencing, logistics, temporary works, site access and field execution requirements into credible estimate inputs.
• Lead and support estimate challenge sessions, validation reviews, benchmarking, normalization and reconciliation activities; identify differences in scope, estimate basis, pricing basis and assumptions, and clearly explain material changes, uncertainty, cost drivers and sensitivities.
• Support quantitative and qualitative risk assessment, contingency development and management reserve analysis by connecting identified risks and opportunities to potential cost and schedule outcomes.
• Provide estimating input to option selection, business cases, stage-gate and assurance reviews, funding requests, sanction decisions, change evaluations and executive or partner governance materials.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Commercial teams to incorporate market conditions, contracting approaches, bid information, vendor quotations, labour assumptions, commodity pricing and escalation into project estimates.
• Partner with Cost Control, Scheduling and Risk to align estimate structures with the work breakdown structure, cost breakdown structure, schedule, risk register, control accounts, forecasting and performance reporting.
• Maintain estimating databases, cost libraries, norms, productivity factors, benchmarks and historical project information, with clear source documentation, version control and data-quality standards.
• Establish and continuously improve Pacific Link estimating procedures, templates, tools, coding conventions and assurance practices in alignment with Project Controls governance and business requirements.
• Provide functional guidance and constructive challenge to project teams, partners, consultants and contractors, promoting consistent estimate quality, accountability, transparency and stewardship of project information.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Post secondary education in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• AACE CEP or CCP certification, or P.Eng. designation, is considered an asset.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive estimating or cost engineering experience on major capital projects in pipeline, terminal, marine, energy or infrastructure environments.
• Advanced Excel and estimating software skills; experience with Omega 365, D365 or Power BI is an asset.
• Proven experience developing, compiling, integrating and reconciling major capital project estimates from early concept through project definition and sanction, with practical knowledge of procurement, contracting, construction sequencing and schedule interfaces.
• Strong knowledge of AACE estimate classification, basis of estimate, validation, escalation, contingency and cost-risk analysis.
• Owner-side experience challenging and integrating estimate inputs from consultants, contractors, vendors and partners.
• Strong analytical, communication and relationship skills, with the ability to present complex cost information clearly and maintain independence under competing priorities.
• Proven organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail in a fast‑paced environment.
• A track record of delivering high‑quality work, managing competing priorities, and supporting key business processes or operational functions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and levels across the organization.

Working Conditions

• Willingness and ability to travel as required.
• Occasional support outside regular business hours may be required to meet critical estimate, assurance, governance or project milestone requirements.

We Build Careers and Pipelines That Last

Our story is about determination, resourcefulness and resilience. It’s about charting our own course, finding innovative solutions to challenging problems and doing the right thing. It was true when Trans Mountain became a company in 1951 and it’s just as true today. We welcome new members to our team that embrace the qualities in our story, that thrive on the new path and directions we take.  Our culture is one of care and taking our responsibilities seriously. If you would like to contribute to our culture, then join our journey.

A Rewarding Opportunity

We offer:

• Valuable experience providing opportunity for professional development and career advancement;
• An opportunity to engage with and learn from some of the most talented and experienced people in the business;
• Competitive compensation;
• A place to share a sense of purpose and build relationships;
• Meaningful work that makes a difference;
• An opportunity within the Canadian energy industry.

We value:

• The health, safety and wellness of everyone working in our company;
• Meaningful participation from Indigenous and local communities;
• The commitment and resilience of our people;
• Collaboration and achieving success together. 

In keeping with Trans Mountain’s commitment to maximize benefits for communities, priority will be given to qualified candidates from Indigenous, local and regional communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor.

In Alberta, the pipeline system spans the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and the Métis Nation of Alberta (Zone 4).

In British Columbia, the system crosses the traditional territories of numerous First Nations that are affiliated with the Secwepemc, Dakelh (Carrier), Nlaka'pamux, Syilx/Okanagan, Interior and Coast Salish, Stó:lo, as well as the Métis.

Trans Mountain also operates through 15 First Nation Reserves located within the region spanning the BC interior through Fraser Valley.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

Trans Mountain is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.  The diverse viewpoints and cultural knowledge that our employees bring to work enrich our organization’s collective cultural understanding, which is reflected in the work we do every day.  We strive to create an environment that is free of barriers to promote full participation in the workplace. Trans Mountain welcomes new team members from traditionally underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.