Director, Estimating and Preconstruction

The role

The Director of Estimating & Preconstruction will lead construction estimating, cost planning, and preconstruction across infrastructure programs. This person will partner with engineering, project management, procurement, finance, and field teams to develop budgets and construction plans.

What you will do

• Lead conceptual, budgetary, and detailed construction estimates
• Establish and document the basis of each estimate
• Partner with Engineering and Construction to evaluate constructability and site logistics
• Lead cost comparisons and value engineering with technical teams
• Work with Procurement to develop bid packages and recommend awards
• Develop independent estimates to support negotiations and evaluate proposals
• Identify and quantify cost and schedule risks
• Establish approved construction cost baselines
• Provide forecast expenditure timing and construction cost scenarios
• Lead the handoff of estimates and risks to execution teams

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in construction finance, project finance, project controls, cost management, or a related role on capital projects
• Strong experience with construction cost tracking, forecasting, cash-flow management, and variance analysis
• Familiarity with contractor billings, change orders, progress payments, and construction contract structures
• Strong financial modeling skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Ability to produce clear, executive-ready financial materials under tight deadlines
• Strong analytical skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively with field teams
• Willingness to spend time on-site and travel to project locations as needed

Nice to have

• Experience in energy, infrastructure, industrial, or large capital construction projects
• Experience with capital budgeting, funding plans, or project cost reporting on multi-phase projects
• Exposure to a startup, high-growth company, or similarly fast-paced environment
• Ability to grow into a broader construction finance leadership role as Valar scales
• Comfort working in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments with competing priorities

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch provided on-site
• Generous PPE stipend

Before you apply

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

About the company

Valar Atomics aims to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable. The company is a team of builders, engineers, and operators working on advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication.