Senior Electrical Cost Estimator - Data Center Construction

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed electrical cost estimates for hyperscale data center projects, including medium- and low-voltage distribution, substations, UPS systems, generators, switchgear, busway, grounding, and lighting systems.
• Perform and oversee comprehensive electrical quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, and BIM models, including conduit, cabling, transformers, generators, and associated infrastructure.
• Develop, validate, and challenge labor, material, and equipment pricing models aligned with project budgets, delivery strategies, and evolving market conditions.
• Establish and maintain historical cost data, benchmarks, and estimating standards to support large-scale programs and future project forecasting.
• Review, analyze, and normalize electrical contractor and subcontractor bids, identifying scope gaps, cost risks, and commercial exposure.
• Lead and support value engineering and design optioneering efforts, evaluating alternative electrical systems, layouts, and installation methods while maintaining redundancy and reliability requirements.
• Partner closely with engineering, procurement, and construction leaders to inform electrical system decisions based on cost, constructability, schedule, and risk.
• Identify and proactively manage risks related to long-lead electrical equipment, supply chain constraints, labor availability, and market escalation.
• Account for regional cost variability across U.S. markets, including labor rates, logistics constraints, permitting considerations, and utility interface requirements.
• Support estimating for large-scale power infrastructure, including utility tie-ins, substations, and campus-wide electrical distribution.
• Contribute to standardized data center designs and repeatable delivery models, improving cost certainty, scalability, and speed to market.
• Ensure electrical estimates align with applicable codes, safety standards, sustainability objectives, and energy efficiency requirements.
• Prepare clear, defensible estimating deliverables and present findings to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Participate in cost reviews, procurement discussions, funding approvals, and commercial strategy sessions.
• Support change management by assessing electrical scope changes and cost impacts throughout the design and construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimating handover materials to construction teams to support alignment between estimate and execution.
• Offer mentorship and technical guidance to junior estimators and contribute to estimating best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of experience in electrical estimating, with strong preference for data center, mission-critical, or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Advanced technical knowledge of power distribution systems, backup generation, UPS systems, electrical codes, and labor productivity.
• Demonstrated experience estimating high-density and hyperscale electrical systems is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in estimating and takeoff tools such as Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, Bluebeam, or similar platforms, with strong familiarity interpreting BIM-based information.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate cost drivers, assumptions, and risks.
• Prioritization of independent work while providing leadership within a collaborative, multidisciplinary project environment.