Jobs · Management · California

Estimator

Actalent · San Jose, CA · Yesterday
HybridManagement$100k–$140k/yrFull-time

About the role

This hybrid Estimator role focuses on supporting preconstruction and estimating efforts for wood framing and rough carpentry scopes on commercial and public works projects, including schools, fire stations, community centers, multi-family developments, and exterior finish systems. The Estimator develops accurate, competitive bids by reading plans, performing detailed quantity takeoffs, and collaborating closely with operations and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

  • Review construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents to fully understand project scope and requirements.
  • Perform accurate quantity takeoffs for wood framing and rough carpentry using digital takeoff software.
  • Prepare detailed cost estimates for wood framing and rough carpentry scopes, including materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
  • Cook up closely with operations, project management, and leadership teams throughout the bidding process to ensure alignment on scope, schedule, and pricing.
  • Analyze project scope to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities, and develop pricing strategies that support competitive and profitable bids.
  • Participate in bid reviews and estimate presentations, clearly explaining assumptions, methodologies, and key cost drivers.
  • Build and maintain professional relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and other industry partners to support competitive pricing and reliable project execution.
  • Leverage experience in construction means and methods to validate quantities, constructability, and sequencing within estimates.
  • Work independently to produce complete, accurate estimates with limited oversight while meeting bid deadlines.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating processes, templates, and databases to enhance efficiency and accuracy over time.

Essential Skills

  • 3–5+ years of estimating experience within the construction industry.
  • Experience in wood framing, rough carpentry, or closely related trades, with a strong understanding of framing construction means and methods.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Strong understanding of quantity takeoffs and estimating processes for commercial and public works projects.
  • Prioritizing experience using digital takeoff software as a core part of the estimating workflow.
  • Proficiency with one or more digital takeoff platforms such as PlanSwift, Togal.AI, On-Screen Takeoff (OST), or similar solutions.
  • Strong analytical skills to evaluate project scope, identify risks, and develop sound pricing strategies.
  • Effective communication skills to collaborate with operations, project management, and leadership teams and to present estimates clearly.
  • Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and other industry partners.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

  • Residential wood framing experience that can be applied to commercial and public works projects.
  • Background in metal stud and drywall estimating, leveraging transferable skills in quantity takeoffs and cost estimating.
  • Experience in a hybrid Project Manager/Estimator role, demonstrating ownership of projects from preconstruction through execution.
  • Familiarity with public works construction requirements and processes, including schools, fire stations, community centers, and similar facilities.
  • Interest in contributing to community-focused projects and long-term client relationships.
  • Desire to grow with an established contractor that offers long-term career development, collaborative leadership, and profit-sharing opportunities.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid work environment that combines office and remote work. During the initial onboarding period, the Estimator spends approximately 4–5 days per week in the office to receive training, integrate with the team, and become familiar with company processes and systems. After the training and ramp-up period, the schedule transitions to a flexible hybrid model, with an expectation of at least 2 days per week in the office and the remainder of the time working remotely as responsibilities allow. The company focuses on rough carpentry and wood framing projects in the public and commercial sectors, providing exposure to schools, fire stations, community centers, multi-family developments, and exterior finish systems. The work environment is collaborative, with close interaction between estimating, operations, project management, and leadership teams. Digital tools and platforms, including PlanSwift, Togal.AI, On-Screen Takeoff (OST), or similar software, are integral to daily estimating activities.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Similar jobs

Estimator

TriMark USAAlbany, GA· 2 days ago
apply on jobs.dayforcehcm.com

Estimator

DEPCOM Power, IncAsheville, NC· Yesterday
Management$105k–$150k/yrapply on ars2.equest.com

Estimator

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Memphis, TN· 2 days ago
Management$76k–$100k/yrapply on jobs.dayforcehcm.com

Estimator

Allan Myers Inc.Glen Allen, VA· 2 days ago
Managementapply on professional-allanmyers.icims.com

Estimator

Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)Atlanta, GA· 1 wk ago
Managementapply on scup.org

Estimator

F.H. PaschenAtlanta, GA· 1 wk ago
Managementapply on apply.workable.com