Lead Estimator

Take your next step with Saulsbury Industries!

Location: Odessa Houston Abilene Bismarck / Remote
Type: Full Time

General Information/Job Summary

Lead and own the estimating process for mission critical and data center projects from early conceptual budgeting through final bid submission. This role is responsible for developing accurate competitive and risk-informed estimates; coordinating internal and external stakeholders; supporting preconstruction strategy; and helping position the company to win complex schedule-driven work.

Responsibilities/Competencies

• 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.
• Prepare estimate summaries assumptions inclusions exclusions alternates allowances contingency recommendations and bid forms for internal review and client submission.
• 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.
• Coordinate 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.
• Bachelors 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.