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Estimation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Proficient in cost estimation, time studies, and/or manufacturing labor standards. * Strong ... Understands how engineering decisions impact cost, schedule, and customer value * Excellent 2D & 3D ...

Estimating Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

$62K/yr

As an Estimating Engineer, you will collaborate with experienced industry leaders, gain hands-on exposure to complex heavy-civil projects and play a critical role in the estimating process. If you're ...

Estimating Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

$62K/yr

As an Estimating Engineer, you will collaborate with experienced industry leaders, gain hands-on exposure to complex heavy-civil projects and play a critical role in the estimating process. If you're ...

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Estimation Engineer information

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How much do estimation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for estimation engineer in the United States is $55.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.14 and $74.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Estimation Engineers?

Estimation Engineers are professionals responsible for calculating the costs, resources, and time required for engineering projects. They analyze project specifications, collaborate with other departments, and use specialized software to prepare detailed estimates. Their work helps companies make informed decisions when bidding on projects and planning budgets. Estimation Engineers play a vital role in ensuring that projects are financially viable and delivered within budget constraints.

What is the work of an estimation engineer?

An estimation engineer is responsible for calculating the costs, resources, and time required for construction or manufacturing projects. They analyze project plans, prepare detailed cost estimates, and collaborate with teams to ensure budgets and schedules are accurate and achievable, often using specialized software. Their work helps ensure projects are financially feasible and completed within budget.

How does an Estimation Engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project bid?

Estimation Engineers frequently work closely with departments such as procurement, engineering, and project management to gather accurate cost data, review technical specifications, and ensure all aspects of the bid are covered. This collaboration often involves regular meetings, document reviews, and clarifications to align on project requirements and constraints. Effective teamwork is essential, as Estimation Engineers rely on input from various specialists to produce precise and competitive estimates. Strong communication and coordination skills are key to navigating these interactions and delivering successful proposals.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High-level roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Estimation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Estimation Engineer, you need strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in engineering or construction, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with estimation software like AutoCAD, CostX, or Microsoft Excel, and sometimes certifications like AACE or PMP, are commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving skills, and teamwork help you collaborate effectively with project managers and clients. These skills ensure accurate cost assessments, minimize project risks, and support successful project planning and execution.

What do engineering estimators do?

An estimation engineer calculates the costs, resources, and time required for engineering projects by analyzing project plans, specifications, and market prices. They use tools like spreadsheets and estimation software to prepare accurate cost estimates, supporting project budgeting and bidding processes.

What is the role of an estimating engineer?

An estimating engineer is responsible for preparing cost estimates for construction, manufacturing, or engineering projects by analyzing project specifications, drawings, and material costs. They use specialized software and industry knowledge to ensure accurate budgeting and help guide project bids and planning. Attention to detail and understanding of engineering principles are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Estimation Engineer vs Cost Engineer?

AspectEstimation EngineerCost Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; certifications like AACE or PMI often preferredBachelor's in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; certifications like AACE or PMI often preferred
Work EnvironmentPre-construction phase, project bidding, proposal developmentProject execution, cost control, budgeting, and financial analysis
Industry UsageConstruction, engineering, manufacturingConstruction, engineering, infrastructure projects

Estimation Engineers primarily focus on preparing cost estimates during project bidding and planning stages, while Cost Engineers monitor and control project costs during execution. Both roles require similar credentials and often work within the same industries, but their responsibilities differ in project lifecycle stages.

More about Estimation Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Estimation Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Estimation Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Estimation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Estimation Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Estimation Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Estimation Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Estimation Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 38% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,463 per year, or $56 per hour.
Principal Engineer, State Estimation (R4602)

Principal Engineer, State Estimation (R4602)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
We are looking for an experienced state estimation engineer to design, develop, and support the deployment of safety-critical navigation solutions for aerospace platforms. This role requires deep expertise in state estimation theory, extensive practical experience implementing ownship navigation systems in the aerospace domain, and strong software development skills for production-quality navigation code. The engineer will design and implement a unified navigation architecture that supports traditional GNSS/IMU fusion while being extensible to all-source navigation strategies incorporating diverse sensing modalities for GPS-degraded and denied environments.
What you'll do:
Navigation System Architecture & Design:
  • Establish navigation performance requirements and error budgets for safety-critical applications 
  • Support decomposition of navigation requirements into allocations for sensors, estimation algorithms, and software components 
  • Design detailed software architecture for state estimation implementations, including module interfaces and data flow 
Algorithm Development & Implementation:
  • Design and implement Extended Kalman Filter algorithms for navigation applications, with broad understanding of state estimation theory and alternative filtering approaches 
  • Implement tightly-coupled and loosely-coupled GNSS/INS integration algorithms 
  • Integrate diverse sensing modalities (vision, RF, celestial etc.) into multi-sensor fusion framework for GPS-degraded environments 
  • Develop fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies for navigation systems 
  • Implement integrity monitoring and protection level calculations for safety-critical operations 
Certification & Verification:
  • Develop verification and validation test plans for navigation algorithms 
  • onduct performance analysis including Monte Carlo simulation, covariance analysis, and flight test data evaluation 
  • Document navigation system design, requirements allocation, and compliance evidence 
  • Support safety assessment activities including failure modes and effects analysis 
Technical Leadership:
  • Provide technical guidance on navigation architecture and state estimation approaches 
  • Support trade studies evaluating navigation sensor suites and fusion strategies 
  • Mentor junior engineers on state estimation theory and implementation 
Required qualifications:
  • MS or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field 
    15+ years of experience developing state estimation algorithms for aerospace navigation applications 
  • Demonstrated experience implementing GNSS/INS integration solutions 
  • Experience with safety-critical system development and certification processes 
  • Deep understanding of state estimation theory 
  • Experience implementing multi-sensor fusion algorithms in production systems 
  • Strong background in inertial navigation, GNSS positioning, and sensor error modeling 
  • Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python/MATLAB for algorithm development and analysis 
  • Understanding of integrity monitoring, protection levels, and safety assessment methods 
  • Experience with requirements management and verification/validation processes for certifiable systems 
  • Understanding of GPS/GNSS signal structure, error sources, and performance characteristics 
  • Knowledge of IMU error models, calibration, and Allan variance analysis 
  • Familiarity with alternative navigation sensors (camera, RF ranging, celestial, etc.) 
  • Understanding of navigation performance metrics (accuracy, integrity, continuity, availability)
  • Must be eligible to obtain a clearance
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
  • PhD in relevant field with focus on state estimation or navigation 
  • Direct involvement in certified navigation system development from requirements through flight test 
  • Experience with specialized navigation approaches (vision-aided navigation, terrain-referenced navigation, celestial navigation, etc.) 
  • Publications or patents in navigation or state estimation 
  • Experience with GPS/GNSS jamming and spoofing mitigation techniques 
#LI-SM1
#LF

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.