Lead Estimator

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed estimates for mission critical and data center projects, including electrical distribution, medium- and low-voltage systems, feeders, conduit, cable tray, busway, grounding, lighting, controls, fire alarm interfaces, communications pathways, and related infrastructure.
• Review drawings, specifications, one-lines, design narratives, bid documents, addenda, and scope packages to develop accurate quantity take-offs, labor plans, equipment requirements, material pricing, and subcontractor scopes.
• Develop conceptual, budgetary, design-assist, and hard-bid estimates using available design information, historical cost data, productivity assumptions, and market intelligence.
• Solicit, level, and evaluate quotes from vendors, equipment suppliers, subcontractors, and manufacturers to confirm technical compliance, scope coverage, and best-value pricing.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, constructability concerns, long-lead equipment impacts, commercial risks, opportunities, and value-engineering options throughout the bid process.
• Create preliminary project schedules, manpower plans, indirect cost budgets, and logistics assumptions for mission critical construction activities.
• Lead bid review meetings with operations, preconstruction, estimating leadership, business development, and executive stakeholders to finalize pricing, markup, risk position, and pursuit strategy.
• Cook up multi-discipline input from project managers, engineers, superintendents, procurement, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure complete and aligned proposals.
• Maintain estimating databases, labor units, pricing benchmarks, bid history, and lessons learned to improve accuracy and consistency across future mission critical pursuits.
• Mentor estimators and support continuous improvement of estimating processes, tools, templates, and proposal standards.

Requirements

• Progressive electrical estimating, preconstruction, or related construction experience, with demonstrated responsibility for complex bids.
• Experience estimating mission critical, data center, semiconductor, industrial, power, or other high-reliability infrastructure projects preferred.
• Proven ability to lead estimates from conceptual budgeting through final bid submission, including competitive bid, design-assist, design-build, and negotiated/GMP delivery methods.
• Strong understanding of electrical construction systems, including power distribution, switchgear, transformers, UPS systems, generators, busway, conduit, feeders, cable tray, grounding, lighting, low-voltage systems, controls, and related data center infrastructure.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, one-lines, equipment schedules, scope documents, and contract requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of estimating strategies, labor productivity, crew planning, indirect costs, market pricing, risk assessment, value engineering, and bid review processes.
• Experience with estimating and takeoff software.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organization, and leadership skills with the ability to work effectively with operations, clients, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and executive stakeholders.
• Ability to work under deadlines, manage multiple pursuits, and make sound decisions with incomplete or evolving design information.
• Field experience in electrical construction, data center construction, or industrial construction is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent field and estimating experience will be considered.
• Occasional travel may be required to support site walks, pre-bid meetings, client presentations, and project handoffs.
• Professional, ethical, detail-oriented team player with a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.