Location: Aiken, SC (Onsite Work)

Employment Type: Full-Time
Clearance Requirement: Active DOE Q or L Clearance Within the Last Two Years (Preferred)
Position Overview:

TradeWind Services is seeking a Senior Business Analyst (Estimating) to play a critical role in developing and analyzing cost estimates that support the planning, execution, and oversight of projects within a highly regulated nuclear facility environment. This position provides expert estimating and business analysis in alignment with federal requirements, Department of Energy (DOE) standards, and industry best practices.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in cost estimating, risk assessment, and project controls, with the ability to translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into accurate, defensible cost models. The Senior Business Analyst will partner with engineering, project management, finance, and regulatory teams to ensure estimates are comprehensive, transparent, and compliant with all applicable DOE Orders, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DEAR), and site-specific procedures.

This role is highly visible and requires strong analytical skills, the ability to present complex financial and technical data to stakeholders, and the leadership capacity to mentor junior staff while contributing to process improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, review, and validate detailed cost estimates for nuclear facility projects (capital projects, upgrades, decommissioning, maintenance, environmental remediation, etc.).
• Perform bottom-up, top-down, and parametric estimating using industry standards (AACE, DOE, or equivalent).
• Analyze labor, materials, subcontractor, and equipment requirements, factoring in nuclear safety, security, and compliance drivers.
• Benchmark costs against historical data, DOE cost guides, and industry metrics.
• Collaborate with project controls, scheduling, and engineering teams to align cost estimates with work breakdown structures (WBS) and integrated master schedules.
• Support the development of baseline budgets and ensure traceability of estimates to scope, schedule, and risks.
• Provide input for earned value management system (EVMS) reporting and performance measurement.
• Conduct risk assessments and apply quantitative techniques (e.g., Monte Carlo simulations) to develop contingency and management reserve recommendations.
• Identify cost drivers and uncertainties specific to nuclear projects (e.g., radiological controls, regulatory delays, specialized labor availability).
• Ensure estimates comply with DOE Order 413.3B, FAR/DEAR requirements, and other federal or nuclear regulatory standards.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation for internal and external reviews (DOE, NRC, or Inspector General).
• Present estimates and cost analyses to senior management, DOE clients, and external oversight bodies.
• Provide estimating expertise during change control, scope evaluations, and independent cost reviews.
• Support proposal development and contract negotiations with accurate, well-substantiated estimates.
• Lead and mentor junior estimators and analysts in best practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating processes, tools, and databases.

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in business, construction management, technical, engineering or a related area and 2 years of practical experience. Bachelor's degree in business, construction management, technical, engineering or a related area and 5 years of practical experience would be considered equivalent. An associate degree and 8 years of practical experience would be considered equivalent. A high school diploma and 12 years of relevant experience would also be considered equivalent.
• Possesses strong personal computer skills.
• Requires considerable proficiency in the use of automated accounting, budgeting, cost management and estimating systems as tools for performing required duties
• Working knowledge and understanding of project management and cost and schedule control at the tactical level is necessary, along with a knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.
• Estimating Specialty – Demonstrated skill in conceptual estimating, coordination with technical personnel, interfacing with engineers, knowledge of field construction techniques, labor, and equipment requirements.
• Ability to apply concepts and methods to quantify work condition impacts on costs is necessary
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering, construction, operations, estimating, scheduling, project controls, proposal development, and/or project management. (Required)
• Five years of experience demonstrating knowledge of desired area of subject matter expertise required.
• Reviews work for completeness as required by project specifications and scope definitions.
• Candidate must have strong problem solving, analysis and interpersonal skills as well as oral and written communication skills.

Salary and Benefits Information:

Expected Salary Range: $125k - $175k / year (depending on experience)

TradeWind Services offers a selection of exceptional benefits to employees and their families. We can customize your benefits to fit your specific needs. Benefits include:

• Medical/Dental/Vision plans
• Long- and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K