Estimator - Strategic Accounts

Flow Control Group (FCG) is a leading provider of fluid handling, process, and industrial automation solutions across North America. We are a 100% employee-owned organization with over 2,000 team members and 95+ entrepreneurial brands—each empowered to innovate and deliver exceptional customer service. Our unique model combines local expertise with national strength, fostering a dynamic environment where creativity and practicality thrive.

About the role

Flow Control Group is seeking a highly analytical and collaborative Estimator to join our team. This role requires a dynamic professional with a comprehensive technical understanding of FCG’s brands and technology groups, focused on translating complex customer requirements into accurate and competitive technical proposals. As an Estimator, you will serve as the primary engine for our front-end bidding process, working closely with brand leadership, engineering teams, and external vendors to evaluate inquiries, size and select equipment, and build robust commercial bids.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Brand Solutions: Maintain in-depth knowledge of all FCG brands, products, and technology groups to identify cross-brand integration opportunities and package holistic flow control solutions in bids.
• Vendor & Brand Relations: Collaborate with internal brand manufacturing units and external partners to obtain competitive pricing and accurate lead times.
• Front-End Alignment: Partner daily with Inside Sales Representatives, Project Managers, and Strategic Account Managers to evaluate Request for Quote (RFQ) packages, review engineering specifications, and align on bidding strategies for high-value accounts.
• Hand-off Coordination: Lead seamless transition meetings to hand off successfully won bids to the Project Management team, ensuring all cost assumptions, scopes of work, and technical details are clearly communicated.
• Data Sheet & P&ID Analysis: Review customer technical drawings, datasheets, P&IDs, and complex engineering specifications to ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.
• Equipment Selection: Size and select appropriate flow control technologies (valves, actuators, pumps, instrumentation) to meet specific application parameters.
• Cost Assembly: Develop highly detailed, structured cost estimates encompassing equipment, engineering, labor, testing, packaging, and freight.
• Technical Proposals: Draft comprehensive commercial and technical proposals that clearly outline the scope of supply, technical clarifications, deviations, and commercial terms.
• Margin Protection: Apply strategic pricing methodologies to protect and optimize gross margins while ensuring bid competitiveness in the market.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify potential technical or commercial risks within RFQs (such as penalizing clauses or non-standard testing requirements) and incorporate appropriate contingency costs or legal deviations into the proposal.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in technical estimating, application engineering, or inside sales within the industrial flow control, fluid handling, valve automation, or instrumentation industry is strictly required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent specialized industry experience).
• Strong working knowledge of various flow control technologies, equipment, and industry applications. Familiarity with sizing software and the specific product lines served by Flow Control Group brands is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering bid packages, drawings, P&IDs, and international industry standards (API, ASME, ANSI, ISA).
• Outstanding communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, external vendors, and clients under tight bidding deadlines.
• Highly organized with an exceptional eye for detail, ensuring zero-error calculations in cost sheets, pricing models, and technical compliance matrices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401(k) with matching.
• Broad-based employee ownership program extended to every team member.
• Paid time off, holidays, and parental leave.
• Access to FCG University, a learning and training platform offering over 80,000 courses.
• Career growth opportunities across a vast network of 100+ brands in North America, including custom training programs and mentorship.
• Employee referral program.

Core Values

• Entrepreneurship: Driven by an ownership mindset, we empower team members to take responsibility for outcomes and make impactful decisions.
• Integrity: We act with honesty and humility, earning trust through transparent and ethical dealings.
• Respect: We celebrate diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive culture where all voices are valued.
• Partnership: We build lifelong connections with customers and suppliers, delivering mission-critical solutions with pride.
• Success: As one team, we drive results through collaboration, calculated risk-taking, and overcoming challenges.
• Innovation: We solve problems with creative, engineered solutions and encourage thinking beyond constraints.