Estimator - Senior Analyst

About DESRI

DESRI (formerly D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments) is a market-leading owner and operator of renewable energy projects throughout the United States. We have acquired or developed approximately 13 gigawatts of contracted capacity across a portfolio of over 85 renewable energy projects in 24 states. DESRI is run by a dynamic team with offices located at New York, Denver, Houston and Hyderabad (India).

About the role

In this role, you will work as an embedded member of DESRI’s Preconstruction Estimating function, supporting the U.S.-based Lead Estimator across quantity takeoffs, model setup, bill of materials development, and first-cut cost estimates. You will build a deep understanding of DESRI’s estimating methodology and progressively take on a more active role, moving from groundwork tasks toward taking initial passes at estimates.

What you'll do

• Operate as an embedded member of the Estimating team, working under the direction of the U.S.-based Lead Estimator across assigned projects.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and set up the estimating model framework using project design documents, site data, and DESRI templates, providing the Lead Estimator a structured, populated starting point.
• Develop Bills of Materials (BOM) from Hyderabad engineering design output that feed directly into the estimating model, reducing duplicative effort and improving input accuracy.
• Build first-cut Balance of System (BOS) cost estimates using established unit cost databases and project-specific inputs directed by the Lead Estimator, as inputs to the Lead Estimator’s process rather than standalone deliverables.
• Maintain running logs of estimate iterations across project stages, documenting key assumption changes between versions for Lead Estimator reference.
• Compile subcontractor and vendor pricing research, market pricing data, and cost benchmarks to support estimate inputs.
• Build bid pricing levelization models that normalize EPC bids against a common scope baseline, flagging scope inclusions and exclusions that drive pricing variance.
• Support the broader Preconstruction team’s DC/AC analysis and ad-hoc optimization exercises, serving as a connection point with the Hyderabad engineering team on overbuild and equipment selection workflows.
• Progressively take initial passes at estimates as familiarity with DESRI’s templates and methodology develops, expanding into a more active role in the estimating process over time.
• Pull reference data, precedent project information, and market comparables to support general research and technical benchmarking for the Estimating Lead.
• Identify and flag opportunities for automation, standardisation, or process improvement within the estimating workflow, in coordination with the Lead Estimator.
• Help enable the Lead Estimator to focus on quality control, methodology, and final estimate ownership, rather than the labor-intensive groundwork of getting an estimate off the ground.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• Around 2-5 years of experience in cost estimating, quantity surveying, or quantity takeoffs, ideally within infrastructure, energy, or EPC/construction environments. Renewable energy experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with comfort building and maintaining detailed cost models and take-off quantities.
• Demonstrated curiosity around technology, automation, and process improvement, ideally with evidence of having built or implemented something that lasted.
• Working knowledge of estimating software and unit cost databases, and strong Excel skills; exposure to Power BI or similar tools is an advantage.
• Strong organisational and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly document assumptions and estimate logic for U.S.-based stakeholders.
• Comfort operating across multiple projects and estimate workstreams simultaneously, in an environment where scope is not always fully defined.
• A proactive and detail-oriented approach, with the judgment to flag scope gaps, pricing outliers, and inconsistencies for Lead Estimator review.