MEP Estimator - Data Center Construction

About the Role

Worldwide Mission Critical is a global owner’s representation and project management company dedicated to the mission-critical industry, helping companies deliver their data centers on time and under budget. The MEP Estimator will serve as a critical member of the preconstruction team, providing leadership for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) and related trades, including fire protection, fire alarm, BMS/controls, communications, and security systems.

Responsibilities

• Market Research & Analysis
  • Conduct regionally-specific market research on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, including labor availability for MEP trades, commodity trends for copper, conduit, switchgear, and generators, equipment lead times for long-lead items (generators, switchgear, transformers, chillers, UPS, CRAH/CRAC units), and other factors affecting costs.
  • Maintain detailed records of historical project costs, including labor, materials, and equipment.
  • Analyze historical data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for cost optimization.
• Conceptual Budgeting & Cost Estimation
  • Develop conceptual budgets for MEP scope elements based on market analysis and project scope.
  • Prepare detailed estimates for labor, materials, and equipment, factoring in project complexity and location.
  • Generate cost variance reports at major design milestones to track trends and inform stakeholder decisions and identify value-engineering opportunities.
  • Lead and support takeoffs using Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar tools.
  • Solicit and analyze subcontractor, vendor, and OEM pricing for electrical distribution, generators, switchgear, UPS, mechanical cooling systems, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, BMS/controls, and low-voltage/security systems.
• Cost Reconciliation and Change Order Support
  • Collaborate with general contractors and trade-partners to reconcile project costs and ensure scope alignment.
  • Provide support for change order forensics and perform cost reconciliation with trade-partners as needed to verify pricing accuracy.
• Constructability Reviews and Value Engineering
  • Conduct thorough constructability reviews focused on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage scopes to identify potential challenges and improvements in design, including coordination of MEP systems with the building structure and architecture.
  • Work with project stakeholders to implement value-engineering solutions that optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Evaluate alternative materials, methods, and technologies to enhance constructability and reduce long-term maintenance expenses.
• RFP Documentation and MEP Contractor Selection
  • Assist in developing comprehensive RFP documentation for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and low-voltage/security scopes, including specifications, scope of work, and evaluation criteria.
  • Ensure clarity and accuracy in RFP documents to support competitive bidding and selection.
  • Help with bid-leveling by compiling and analyzing data for informed decisions.
  • Evaluate contractor proposals based on experience, qualifications, and cost competitiveness.
  • Participate in GC/contractor selection meetings and offer input on firm suitability.
• MEP Buyout Support
  • Draft specific language for RFPs to ensure precise scope definitions and requirements.
  • Coordinate with bidders during the procurement phase.
  • Assist with pre-bid RFIs by reviewing and responding to related inquiries.
  • Support the coordination and conduction of site walks focused on relevant elements.
  • Perform bid leveling for bids to compare and normalize proposals.
  • Conduct post-bid interviews with bidders to clarify assumptions, resolve discrepancies, and negotiate terms.
  • Occasional travel to project sites for kick-offs, pre-bid walks, and constructability reviews.

Requirements

• 4+ years of estimating experience with a strong emphasis on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage scopes in mission-critical, data center, or other heavy industrial projects.
• Proven ability to estimate projects $50M+ in total construction value, with deep focus in these areas.
• Ability to perform quantity takeoffs for MEP systems, including electrical distribution and conduit/feeders, generators and switchgear, mechanical cooling and air handling, piping and plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, BMS/controls, and structured cabling/low-voltage.
• Proficiency with estimating software (Destini, RIB CostX, WinEst, or similar) and Microsoft Excel.
• Solid understanding of data center-specific challenges, including critical power and cooling topologies, redundancy concepts, and the ability to read and interpret MEP drawings, single-line diagrams, and specifications.
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical equipment lead times and procurement strategy for long-lead items such as generators, switchgear, transformers, and UPS systems.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while collaborating with the estimating team.