Estimator & Planner - Facilities

Job Description BAE Systems is seeking an Estimator/Planner – Facilities to drive the conceptualization and execution of maintenance and sustainment projects for energetic manufacturing processes at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP).
In this critical role, you will bridge the gap between high-level strategic planning and technical execution. You will be responsible for determining process requirements for conceptual projects, guiding strategic planning, and developing the precise cost estimates and project scopes necessary to secure funding and ensure the successful integration of new capabilities into energetic production facilities.
Job Description
The Estimator/Planner will provide essential engineering and technical expertise to support the design and construction of projects aimed at increasing and sustaining chemical production capacity. This role requires a high degree of technical competence in applying engineering principles to solve complex modernization challenges. You will operate within a matrixed organization, coordinating closely with the Engineering Manager to prioritize projects and define technical requirements.
A primary focus of this position is the translation of facility needs into actionable project proposals. You will analyze current production process steps and develop equipment and technology recommendations to inform budgetary estimates for submission to the United States Government. This role offers a unique opportunity for career growth in the specialized energetics industry, with pathways available for both technical mastery and management leadership.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Planning & Estimating
- Develop detailed project proposals, comprehensive scopes of work, and accurate budgetary and engineering estimates.
- Create workflow schedules and process task duration estimates to ensure project viability.
- Lead the development of technical development plans and overall engineering tasking, ensuring projects remain on schedule and within budget.
- Assist Project Managers in budget development, purchase requisition approval, and invoice verification.
- Perform detailed "Analysis of Alternatives" to determine the most efficient and cost-effective paths to project completion.
Engineering & Design Oversight
- Collaborate with multi-discipline engineering teams to select construction materials/methods, write technical specifications, and oversee the preparation of drawings.
- Perform engineering analyses for critical systems, including thermal, power, pumping/piping, HVAC, machinery layout, and vessel/tank design and construction.
- Review and approve design packages from external firms and equipment suppliers, providing essential constructability input.
Execution & Compliance
- Conduct facility inspections (buildings, equipment, pipelines) to assess integrity and safety, providing recommendations for necessary modifications.
- Supervise subcontractor performance to ensure work meets the defined scope, specifications, and quality standards.
- Execute commissioning plans and maintain all required technical documentation.
- Provide technical risk management and coordinate program aspects with the broader OSI team.
- Contribute to Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and other safety investigations.
- Ensure all work is conducted in strict accordance with safety regulations and quality standards.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills Qualifications
- Strong fundamentals of engineering and design with the ability to apply technical knowledge to specialized production processes.
- Proven ability to develop cost estimates and project schedules based on incomplete or undefined project outlines.
- Proven ability to estimate for multiple engineering disciplines such as process, electrical, mechanical, piping, and civil/structural.
- Experience using RSMeans for industrical applications.
- Experience in a high-hazard or regulated manufacturing environment (energetics/chemical experience is a significant plus).
- Ability to communicate technical requirements effectively to both internal stakeholders and government customers.

- Education: Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field strongly preferred.
- Industry Experience: 3+ years of experience in the chemical process industry, or 6+ years of relevant industrial experience.
- Estimating Expertise: Proven experience in project or construction estimating, including the ability to develop accurate cost forecasts and budgetary proposals.
- Project Lifecycle: Demonstrated experience in engineering design, development, construction, and commissioning within a technical project environment.
- Technical Breadth: Broad engineering proficiency in at least one of the following: Civil, Structural, Process, Mechanical, or Electrical
- Standards & Tools: Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards (including UFC).
- Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor) to interpret technical drawings.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and MS Project , for budget tracking and scheduling.

- Communication & Leadership: Ability to lead external design firms, interface effectively with site operations/maintenance teams, and communicate complex requirements to various functional departments and customers.
- Technical Literacy: Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and Electrical Drawings.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Education & Tenure: Engineering degree from an accredited institution with 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial facility planning and estimating.
- Specialized Industry Knowledge: Deep experience in Energetics and related processes, specifically within Department of Defense (DoD) project frameworks.
- Chemical Facility Expertise: Proven track record in the design and construction of chemical manufacturing facilities utilizing acids, bases, and solvents for energetic material production.
- Regulatory & Safety Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of explosives site safety (DDESB), demilitarization, and environmental regulations (EPA, TDEC, etc.).
- Advanced Analysis Tools: Proficiency in Systems Engineering Analysis, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to inform project feasibility and cost accuracy.
- Operational Context: Experience providing strategic plant support within a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
- Integration Expertise: Experience managing the procurement and integration of Vendor Skids into complex chemical manufacturing processes.
- Instrumentation & Controls: Deep familiarity with industrial hardware: variable speed drives, positioners, actuators, valves, and plant instrumentation.
- Knowledge of industrial network architectures, topologies, cybersecurity, and software validation.
- Hands-on experience with multiple control platforms (Siemens PCS7, Simatic Batch, Allen Bradley ControlLogix/PlantPAx).
- Experience with Historian databases (Rockwell Vantage Point, Siemens Process Historian) and communication protocols (Profibus, Profinet, Modbus TCP, HART).

- Technical Design: Ability to generate and interpret engineering design drawings to verify project scope and material requirements.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $96623 - $164259

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Platforms & Services BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.