Fully Remote Electrical Estimator

About the role

The Electrical Estimator prepares accurate and competitive cost estimates for industrial, manufacturing, energy, and construction projects. This role analyzes project plans, specifications, and related documents to determine labor, material, equipment, and time requirements, and supports the full bid process from takeoff through handoff. The Electrical Estimator collaborates closely with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors, and may mentor junior estimators while contributing to continuous improvement across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret project documents, including drawings, specifications, and proposals, to determine project scope, requirements, and constraints.
• Prepare detailed and comprehensive cost estimates by analyzing plans and specifications and identifying labor, material, equipment, and time requirements.
• Bid on approximately 2 to 4 jobs per week and work toward achieving a target bid acceptance rate of around 40%.
• Obtain bids and quotations from vendors and subcontractors by specifying materials, identifying qualified partners, and negotiating competitive pricing.
• Evaluate offers and proposals by considering design changes, additions, site conditions, and other project-specific requirements.
• Assemble, format, and present estimates clearly, using both numerical and descriptive information to support decision-making by project stakeholders.
• Maintain and update cost databases by entering, validating, and backing up data to ensure accurate and current pricing information.
• Conduct gap analyses at project closeout by comparing actual costs, profits, and timelines to the original estimates and schedules.
• Develop and communicate lessons learned from completed projects to project managers, estimators, field leadership, and other stakeholders to reduce errors and repetitive issues.
• Identify and recommend improvements to scheduling, quality, efficiency, communication, and internal procedures based on project performance and feedback.
• Cross-train across all facets of the commercial and industrial division to provide coverage for absent team members and to expand responsibilities over time.
• Mentor or lead junior estimators and support staff, providing guidance on estimating processes, tools, and best practices as needed.
• Cook up with other departments and project teams to gather accurate project information, clarify scope, and resolve discrepancies prior to bid submission.
• Travel to project sites for assessments, walkthroughs, and meetings to better understand field conditions and validate assumptions used in estimates.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience as determined by the employer.
• Multiple years of construction or electrical contracting experience, with proven exposure to commercial and industrial projects.
• Demonstrated experience as an estimator on commercial and industrial projects, with responsibility for full-cycle bid preparation.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, electrical construction methods, and heavy industrial estimation practices.
• Solid knowledge of electrical systems, electrical circuits, and electrical construction methodologies.
• Proficiency with estimating software such as Accubid (MUST HAVE) and other electrical estimating tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, electrical drawings, and preconstruction documents.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, and similar design or modeling tools used in estimating and preconstruction.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and related tools for estimate preparation and reporting.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to clearly present estimates and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Able to negotiate effectively with vendors, subcontractors, and other partners.
• Able to meet deadlines, manage multiple bids simultaneously, and maintain organized documentation.
• Able to perform the physical requirements of an office-based role, including prolonged computer use, and to occasionally visit construction sites involving walking, standing, and minor lifting.

Qualifications

• Experience in electrical estimation for commercial construction, industrial facilities, and heavy industrial projects.
• Background in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) environments and coordination.
• Hands-on experience with electrical construction projects from preconstruction through execution.
• Formal training or certification in Accubid or other electrical estimating platforms.
• Education or training in electrical engineering, electrical systems, or related technical disciplines.
• Familiarity with preconstruction planning, value engineering, and budgeting processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain long-term relationships with project managers, field leaders, subcontractors, and clients.
• Interest in continuous learning and cross-training across different aspects of commercial and industrial operations.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the local area for site visits, assessments, and meetings, and occasionally for training, conferences, and vendor or client visits.

Skills

• Accubid (MUST HAVE)
• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Estimating Software Proficiency
• Blueprint Takeoffs
• Communication Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Project Management
• Team Collaboration
• Continuous Learning

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
• Discount Programs

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/hr. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents), Short and long-term disability, Health Spending Account (HSA), Transportation benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave), and Discount Programs.

Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based and involves extensive desk work, computer use, and frequent interaction with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors. The Electrical Estimator works with modern estimating software such as Accubid, as well as tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and the Microsoft Office Suite. The position requires regular local travel to construction and industrial project sites to perform assessments, attend meetings, and validate field conditions, with occasional travel for training, conferences, and client or vendor engagements. Site visits may involve walking, standing, navigating active construction areas, and minor lifting, and the physical demands can vary depending on the type of project and industry.

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.