Building Automation Systems (BAS) Estimator

About the role

DeBra-Kuempel is seeking a Building Automation Systems (BAS) Estimator responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and profitable cost estimates for BAS projects. The role involves reviewing and interpreting project plans, specifications, and customer requirements to develop comprehensive bids and proposals for new installations, retrofits, and system upgrades. The estimator also supports business development by maintaining relationships with mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, developers, and strategic partners. The ideal candidate combines technical knowledge of BAS and HVAC controls with strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills to support project success from initial pursuit through turnover.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret project documents — architectural/mechanical/electrical plans, specifications, sequences of operation, RFPs, and addenda — to determine scope and requirements.
• Perform detailed take-offs for BAS components such as controllers, sensors, actuators, valves, dampers, wiring, software, and programming hours.
• Develop accurate bill of materials (BOM), labor estimates (installation, commissioning, programming, project management), subcontractor quotes, and overhead/profit margins.
• Estimate costs for various project types including plan & spec, design-build, and performance contracts.
• Select appropriate control system hardware/software — Tridium Niagara, Automated Logic, Johnson Metasys, Siemens Desigo CC, and BACnet-based BAS — ensuring compliance with project specs and standards.
• Mitigate bid risks and improve competitiveness by identifying competitive vendor pricing, value engineering opportunities, risks, exclusions, assumptions, and potential change order items.
• Support the full bid lifecycle to transition projects to management teams by preparing proposals with scope narratives and pricing breakdowns, and negotiating scope, price, and value engineering requests from clients.
• Facilitate continuous improvement by maintaining estimating databases, templates, and historical cost data, and following BAS industry trends, pricing changes, and emerging technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of the role and the organization.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Building Automation, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 2 years of experience in estimating or related roles within building automation systems, HVAC controls, DDC, or smart buildings industry.
• Manufacturer-specific certifications or training (e.g., Niagara Certification, Tridium, Siemens, Johnson Controls, Honeywell).
• Experience estimating for healthcare, data centers, higher education, or large portfolios with energy/performance contracting focus.
• Familiarity with LEED/sustainability requirements, fault detection & diagnostics (FDD), cybersecurity standards for BAS, and remote/cloud-based systems.
• Previous field experience in BAS installation, commissioning, or service (helpful for realistic estimating).
• Knowledge of prevailing wage, union labor, or public sector bidding processes.
• Strong technical understanding of BAS platforms, protocols (BACnet, Modbus, LON, etc.), control sequences, mechanical/electrical systems, and integration (lighting, metering, fire, security).
• Proficiency in take-off and estimating tools/software (e.g., Bluebeam, ERP/CRM systems).
• Strong knowledge of construction processes, labor rates, material pricing, and project delivery methods in commercial/industrial sectors.
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy under deadlines.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with sales, customers, engineers, and vendors.
• Ability to read/interpret blueprints, specs, and control drawings.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to commute to field locations and must have the ability to navigate around job site locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The employee should expect to sit for long periods in front of a computer and also travel to field locations as needed. While visiting field locations, the employee may be required to work outdoors, be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical and electrical parts; high, precarious places; dust, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions, extended exposure to sunlight; cold and heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the field work environment is usually moderate to loud. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Paid time off
• 401(k)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Company discounts
• Additional voluntary supplemental union benefits program for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement

Pay

Compensation Range: $80,000–$110,000. Other Compensation: Discretionary Bonus.