Senior Estimator

The posting

Job Summary

The Senior Estimator leads complex estimating and preconstruction efforts for large-scale commercial, industrial, and mission critical electrical construction projects, including hyperscale data centers, central utility plants, healthcare facilities, manufacturing operations, and other technically demanding environments. This role serves as a senior technical and strategic resource within the estimating department and is responsible for overseeing complete project pricing strategies from conceptual design through final proposal submission.

The Senior Estimator directs detailed estimate development including labor forecasting, equipment analysis, subcontractor scope evaluation, constructability review, value engineering, risk assessment, and schedule analysis to ensure accurate and competitive project pricing. This position collaborates extensively with executive leadership, operations teams, engineering, BIM/VDC, procurement, and business development throughout the pursuit lifecycle.

This role is expected to lead high-profile and negotiated pursuits, support client presentations and preconstruction meetings, mentor junior estimating staff, and provide guidance on estimating standards, labor units, and market pricing strategies. The Senior Estimator plays a critical role in securing profitable work, reducing operational risk exposure, and supporting long-term organizational growth within highly competitive construction markets.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

Tasks may include, but are not limited to the following:

· Lead and independently prepare detailed cost estimates for large-scale commercial, industrial, healthcare, manufacturing, and mission critical electrical construction projects

· Analyze complex bid documents, specifications, drawings, schedules, and phasing requirements to define complete project scope and identify cost and operational risks

· Develop comprehensive labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, general conditions, and indirect cost estimates for competitive and negotiated project pursuits

· Lead quantity takeoffs, labor productivity analysis, constructability reviews, and installation planning for complex electrical systems

· Coordinate and lead subcontractor and vendor solicitation efforts, including scope reviews, bid leveling, clarifications, and pricing evaluations

· Participate in bid strategy development, Go/No-Go evaluations, executive estimate reviews, and final proposal presentations

· Collaborate closely with operations, project management, BIM/VDC, procurement, and field leadership to align estimating assumptions with execution strategies and project logistics

· Prepare conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, GMP proposals, and design-build preconstruction deliverables

· Identify value engineering opportunities, procurement strategies, and cost-saving alternatives while maintaining project quality, schedule, and operational requirements

· Evaluate labor productivity, material escalation, market conditions, schedule impacts, and construction sequencing to improve estimate accuracy and profitability

· Assist the Chief Estimator and Preconstruction leadership in managing estimating priorities, bid schedules, workload distribution, and departmental processes

· Lead post-bid reviews, estimate turnover meetings, and lessons-learned evaluations to support continuous improvement initiatives

· Develop, maintain, and refine estimating databases, labor units, assemblies, historical cost records, and market pricing benchmarks

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, manufacturers, and industry partners

· Represent the company during pre-bid meetings, site walks, design coordination meetings, and client interviews

· Mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to Estimator I and Estimator II team members

· Support business development and strategic growth initiatives by assisting with client relationship development and major project pursuits

· Maintain compliance with company estimating standards, bid procedures, contractual requirements, and risk management practices

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, manufacturers, and industry partners

· Represent the company during pre-bid meetings, site walks, design coordination meetings, and client interviews

· Mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to Estimator I and Estimator II team members

· Support business development and strategic growth initiatives by assisting with client relationship development and major project pursuits

· Maintain compliance with company estimating standards, bid procedures, contractual requirements, and risk management practices

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Advanced knowledge of commercial, industrial, and mission critical electrical construction systems, installation methods, and construction sequencing

· Strong understanding of electrical distribution systems, power generation, switchgear, UPS systems, lighting, controls, grounding, and low-voltage systems

· Extensive ability to read, interpret, and analyze complex construction drawings, specifications, one-line diagrams, schedules, and technical documentation

· Advanced understanding of labor productivity, labor forecasting, installation durations, crew loading, and field execution planning

· Strong knowledge of estimating principles, conceptual budgeting, cost modeling, value engineering, and risk analysis

· Ability to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, scheduling conflicts, procurement risks, and cost exposures during the preconstruction process

· Strong understanding of procurement strategies, subcontractor scope development, and vendor qualification processes

· Working knowledge of NEC, OSHA regulations, electrical construction standards, and applicable building codes

· Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities with high attention to detail

· Ability to manage multiple large-scale pursuits simultaneously while maintaining estimate quality and meeting aggressive deadlines

· Effective leadership and mentoring skills with the ability to support the development of junior estimating personnel

· Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact professionally with executive leadership, clients, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and operational teams

· Ability to participate in executive estimate reviews, client presentations, and strategic bid discussions

· Advanced proficiency in estimating software, digital takeoff platforms, Microsoft Excel, and construction management technology

· Strong understanding of mission critical/data center construction environments including fast-track schedules, commissioning coordination, and critical uptime requirements preferred

· Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments with changing priorities and project demands

Supervisory Responsibilities

· Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and day-to-day guidance to Estimator I and Estimator II team members

· Supports onboarding and development of estimating staff through training, estimate reviews, and knowledge sharing

· Assists estimating leadership with workload coordination, bid assignments, and departmental priorities

· May lead estimating teams on large or complex project pursuits and coordinate collaborative estimating efforts across multiple disciplines

· Serves as a senior technical resource within the estimating and preconstruction department

Work Environment/Physical Demands/Position Type and Expected Work Time

Work Environment:

· Primarily performed in a professional office environment with frequent collaboration across estimating, operations, engineering, procurement, and executive leadership teams

· Regular interaction with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and trade partners during bid pursuits, preconstruction activities, and project planning meetings

· Frequent review of complex construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and technical documentation for extended periods

· Periodic travel to construction sites, pre-bid meetings, client presentations, walkthroughs, and industry events may be required

· Exposure to active construction and mission critical environments requiring compliance with site-specific safety rules and PPE requirements

· Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with multiple concurrent pursuits, changing priorities, and occasional extended work hours during major bid activities or proposal deadlines

Physical Requirements:

This role requires the physical and environmental demands outlined below, with or without reasonable accommodation. The organization is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals.

· Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer while preparing estimates, reviewing drawings, and analyzing project documentation

· Frequent use of visual acuity and attention to detail for reading blueprints, specifications, spreadsheets, and technical construction documents

· Ability to walk active construction sites, access unfinished areas, climb stairs or ladders, and navigate uneven terrain during site visits and pre-bid walkthroughs

· Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds including drawings, bid documents, laptops, and field equipment

· Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility vest, gloves, and safety footwear when visiting job sites

· Ability to work extended hours as needed to support bid deadlines, proposal submissions, and major project pursuits

Position Type:

· Full-time, non-exempt

Typical Schedule/Shift Details:

· Primarily Monday through Friday during standard business hours; however, schedules may vary based on project demands, bid deadlines, and client requirements

· Position regularly requires flexibility to work extended hours, early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends during major bid pursuits and proposal submissions

· May require attendance at pre-bid meetings, client presentations, site walks, and coordination meetings outside normal office hours

· Occasional travel may be required for project evaluations, client meetings, industry events, and construction site visits across company operating regions

Overtime Expectations:

· This position is classified as exempt and is not eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable federal and state laws

· The role is expected to fulfill the responsibilities of the position regardless of hours required, with workload driven by bid schedules, project deadlines, and operational demands

· Additional hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, may be required during major project pursuits, proposal submissions, and preconstruction activities

· Responsiveness and availability during critical estimating and bid periods are essential to support business operations and client commitments

Required Education and Experience

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred

· Equivalent electrical construction, field operations, or estimating experience may be considered in lieu of formal education

· Formal electrical apprenticeship training, trade school education, or technical construction education strongly preferred

· Advanced coursework or specialized training in estimating, preconstruction, project management, or mission critical construction is beneficial for this role

Certifications/Licenses:

· Valid driver’s license required

· OSHA 30 certification preferred

· Electrical trade license or equivalent electrical construction certifications preferred

· Professional estimating certifications such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or equivalent preferred

· Training or certifications related to mission critical/data center construction, BIM/VDC, or advanced preconstruction practices preferred

· Proficiency in estimating and construction management software platforms strongly preferred

Experience Requirements:

· Minimum of 6–10 years of progressive electrical estimating experience within commercial, industrial, healthcare, manufacturing, or mission critical construction environments

· Proven experience leading complex electrical estimates and major bid pursuits with significant contract values and operational complexity

· Strong background in design-build, negotiated, conceptual, and hard bid project delivery methods

· Experience preparing labor forecasts, conceptual budgets, GMP proposals, value engineering analyses, and constructability reviews

· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple large-scale pursuits simultaneously while meeting aggressive deadlines

· Experience collaborating with operations, field leadership, procurement, BIM/VDC, engineering, and executive leadership teams throughout the preconstruction process

· Prior experience mentoring junior estimators and supporting estimating department development preferred

· Mission critical/data center estimating experience strongly preferred including exposure to UPS systems, generators, switchgear, commissioning, and fast-track construction schedules

Equipment or Machines Routinely Used in This Position

· Computer, laptop, and multiple monitor workstations used for estimating, bid preparation, and technical document review

· Estimating software platforms (Accubid, Trimble, Conest, or equivalent)

· Digital takeoff and document review software (Bluebeam, Planswift, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or equivalent)

· Microsoft Office Suite including advanced Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint functionality

· Project management and collaboration platforms (Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, SharePoint, or equivalent)

· BIM/VDC coordination and drawing review tools as required for project pursuits

· Printers, scanners, plotters, copiers, and standard office equipment

· Mobile devices including smartphones and tablets for communication, remote access, and field coordination

· Video conferencing platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or equivalent)

· Occasional use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility vest, and safety footwear during construction site visits and pre-bid walkthroughs

Enterprise Electrical’s Core Values & Purpose

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following Enterprise Electrical core values:

• Safety First, Safety Always (Safety)

• Committed to Excellence (Greatness)

• Plan it, Do it, Own it (Accountability)

• Learn it, Know it, Teach it (Mentorship)

• One Team, One Goal (Teamwork)

• Positive Attitude Required (Positivity)

Our Core Purpose: Building Relationships to Enrich Lives