Lead NUB Cost Estimator - Rotating Equipment (Houston, TX, US, 77047)

The Lead NUB Cost Estimator - Rotating Equipment serves as the local technical and commercial focal point for developing, coordinating, and continuously improving rotating equipment estimates. The role works closely with the MCO Estimation team in Japan and local Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and other functions to ensure estimates are complete, competitive, accurate, and on time. The position also owns the estimating basis, cost references, historical data, tools, S-curves, and PDCA continuous improvement process, while providing functional leadership and establishing scalable estimating practices to support future growth of the estimating organization.

Responsibilities

• Foster an environment of teamwork, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Adhere to the Company's objectives, including Safety, Quality, Environmental and Information Security requirements.
• Ensure compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Lead the estimating process for MCO-I scope from technical scope definition through final customer proposal.
• Coordinate and integrate cost inputs from Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Finance, and other functions.
• Review project requirements and establish the appropriate scope, assumptions, work breakdown, and estimating basis.
• Review functional estimates for completeness, consistency, technical alignment, and cost basis; identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies and facilitate resolution.
• Work closely with the MCO Estimation team in Japan to track, develop, update, and complete estimates and ensure local scope and execution requirements are accurately reflected.
• Consolidate functional inputs into an integrated estimate and communicate key cost drivers, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and competitiveness considerations.
• Maintain and develop market cost references, historical cost data, benchmarks, S-curves, estimating tools, and methodologies.
• Own the estimating PDCA process, using estimated-versus-actual performance, lessons learned, and market data to continuously improve estimating accuracy and competitiveness.
• Facilitate periodic cross-functional reviews to update the estimating basis, tools, cost history, assumptions, and processes.
• Support value engineering, cost optimization, and other initiatives to improve proposal competitiveness.
• Ensure estimates and equipment specifications comply with applicable industry standards, regulations, and company requirements.
• Perform special studies/projects as directed by the Department Leader and other duties as assigned.
• Provide technical and functional guidance to cost estimators and support the development of standardized estimating practices, tools, and training to enable future expansion of the estimating function at MCO-I.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related discipline; equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered.
• Experience in cost estimating, proposals, project execution, applications, procurement, project controls, or related industrial discipline.
• Ability to understand technical requirements and translate project scope into cost and resource requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and integrate inputs across multiple functions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional discussions and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience developing or maintaining cost models, estimating tools, databases, or reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with, or the ability to work within, management systems aligned with ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) standards is valued and supports MCOI's commitment to quality, environmental sustainability, information security, workplace health and safety, and continuous improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Experience with rotating equipment, particularly centrifugal compressors, steam turbines, pumps, generators, or auxiliary systems.
• Experience in oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, industrial equipment, or other engineered-to-order environments.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, equipment data sheets, drawings, and customer requirements.
• Experience with supplier quotations, technical bid evaluations, cost benchmarking, market analysis, historical cost databases, or S-curves.
• Experience establishing or improving estimating methodologies, tools, standards, or processes.
• Knowledge of applicable API standards and specifications for rotating equipment.
• Experience with SAP, Power BI, or similar ERP/business intelligence tools.
• PMP, CPE, or other relevant professional certification is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Technical Acumen - Understands how technical requirements affect scope, cost, schedule, and execution.
• Commercial Awareness - Understands cost, risk, market conditions, competitiveness, and profitability.
• Cross-Functional Leadership - Coordinates multiple functions and drives alignment without direct authority.
• Analytical Thinking - Uses data, historical performance, and market information to evaluate estimates and identify trends.
• Continuous Improvement - Uses PDCA and lessons learned to improve estimating accuracy, tools, and methodologies.
• Communication & Influence - Challenges assumptions constructively and facilitates resolution across functions.
• Business Acumen - Understands how estimating decisions affect competitiveness, profitability, and customer commitments.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand for majority of the day.
• Minor lifting of files and/or boxes < 5 lbs.

Work environment

• Office environment.