Senior Estimator - Curtain Wall

This is a 100% employee-owned company specializing in custom unitized curtain wall systems for commercial building facades, with project work spanning the Midwest and East Coast. Every employee holds an ownership stake through the company's ESOP.

About the role

This role owns labor and material estimating for complex exterior facade and custom unitized curtain wall projects, working closely with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, and Field Operations. The Senior Estimator reviews architectural and engineering documents to define full project scope, flags non-standard elements that require special attention, and partners cross-functionally to develop cost-effective approaches, ensuring awarded contract scope stays consistent with what was originally proposed.

On the estimating side, this person owns the full process, reviewing, validating, and signing off on labor estimates across shop, engineering, field, and project management functions. They oversee material takeoffs and specifications including extrusions, dies, and finishes, evaluate vendor pricing, and ensure junior estimators are securing multiple competitive quotes. The role also involves working through complex project challenges alongside internal teams, building and maintaining vendor relationships, and stepping in to negotiate when scope, risk, or pricing needs resolution.

On awarded projects, the Senior Estimator manages a clean handoff to internal teams with clear documentation of pre-sale commitments and keeps stakeholders informed throughout the estimating lifecycle. This is also a mentorship role: the Senior Estimator develops Estimator I and II staff and drives process improvements to increase accuracy and efficiency across the department.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret architectural and engineering documents to define project scope
• Flag non-standard elements requiring special attention
• Develop cost-effective approaches in collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Own the full estimating process, including labor and material estimates
• Review, validate, and sign off on labor estimates across shop, engineering, field, and project management functions
• Oversee material takeoffs and specifications (extrusions, dies, finishes)
• Evaluate vendor pricing and ensure competitive quotes from junior estimators
• Resolve complex project challenges, scope, risk, or pricing issues
• Build and maintain vendor relationships
• Manage handoff to internal teams with clear documentation of pre-sale commitments
• Mentor Estimator I and II staff and drive process improvements
• Keep stakeholders informed throughout the estimating lifecycle

Requirements

• 5+ years of estimating experience in glass and glazing
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents, specifications, and project management materials
• Experience leading complex estimates and guiding junior team members
• Working knowledge of engineering and architectural principles
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organized, decisive, and detail-oriented
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in applied science or a related technical field

Pay

$90,000 - $125,000 per year

Schedule

Full-time, flexible scheduling available

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical illness and accident coverage
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Employee ownership stake through ESOP