Construction Estimator

Gotion is seeking a Mandarin-speaking Construction Cost Estimator / Cost Engineer to support the planning, estimating, budgeting, and cost control of large-scale industrial construction projects at our Manteno, Illinois facility. This role serves as a key liaison between U.S. contractors, design teams, suppliers, and Gotion's Chinese management and engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare quantity takeoffs, conceptual estimates, detailed cost estimates, and project budgets for industrial buildings, civil, architectural, MEP, and site development projects.
• Review construction drawings, technical specifications, bid documents, and contracts to ensure accurate pricing.
• Analyze contractor and supplier proposals, identifying scope gaps, duplicated costs, pricing discrepancies, and value engineering opportunities.
• Prepare bid control estimates, cost analyses, budget forecasts, and financial reports.
• Review pricing for Potential Change Orders (PCOs), Change Orders (COs), and other contract modifications.
• Verify contractor labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, overhead, and profit costs.
• Participate in procurement activities, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract pricing reviews.
• Track contract values, approved and pending change orders, payment applications, and project closeout costs.
• Develop and maintain cost databases for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.
• Communicate effectively in English and Mandarin Chinese with U.S. contractors, consultants, suppliers, and Gotion's Chinese management and engineering teams.
• Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, and Project Management to monitor project budgets, control costs, and mitigate financial risks.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, contractual obligations, and project controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in construction estimating, cost engineering, cost control, or contract administration.
• Experience with commercial, industrial, manufacturing, or large construction projects.
• Ability to independently review construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Strong knowledge of quantity takeoffs, budgeting, bid analysis, payment applications, change order management, and project closeout.
• Experience with one or more construction disciplines including Civil, Structural, Architectural, MEP, or Site Development.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Bluebeam Revu.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written). This is a required qualification.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with battery manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, large manufacturing plants, semiconductor, automotive, or industrial construction projects.
• Experience working for a General Contractor, Owner, Engineering Firm, EPC Contractor, or Cost Consulting firm.
• Knowledge of CSI MasterFormat and U.S. construction pricing practices.
• Experience with PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, Procore, RSMeans, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar estimating software.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, CEP, CPE, PMP, or related credentials.

Pay

$75,000 – $90,000 annually (based on experience)

Schedule

Full-Time