Lead Estimator - Electrical

Job Description: Lead Estimator - Electrical

Position Summary

The Lead Estimator - Electrical (EST4) leads the development of complete, competitive, and executable estimates for industrial, water and wastewater, manufacturing, power, and other complex electrical projects. This position manages assigned pursuits from initial review through final bid submission and turnover to Operations. The Lead Estimator combines strong electrical construction knowledge with disciplined cost development, risk analysis, proposal strategy, and team coordination to ensure that each estimate reflects the project documents, field conditions, labor requirements, schedule, procurement risks, and GDC Industrial's execution approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead assigned estimates from pursuit kickoff through bid review, submission, clarification, negotiation, and project turnover
• Review plans, specifications, addenda, geotechnical information, schedules, contract documents, and site conditions to determine complete electrical and instrumentation scope
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for electrical distribution, power, lighting, grounding, controls, instrumentation, communications, duct banks, raceway, cable, terminations, testing, startup, and related systems
• Establish labor units, crew composition, productivity factors, wage rates, labor burden, overtime assumptions, and manpower requirements based on project conditions and execution strategy
• Price materials, equipment, subcontracted work, temporary facilities, supervision, small tools, testing, mobilization, escalation, contingency, overhead, and other project costs
• Identify scope gaps, conflicts, constructability concerns, unclear requirements, long-lead items, schedule constraints, and commercial risks; develop RFIs and documented estimating assumptions
• Solicit, level, and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations for scope coverage, commercial compliance, exclusions, delivery, and pricing
• Coordinate with mechanical, civil, structural, controls, procurement, scheduling, and operations personnel to capture interfaces and avoid scope gaps
• Develop preliminary execution plans, staffing assumptions, procurement strategies, and estimate-level schedules in collaboration with Operations
• Prepare clear proposal inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, alternates, allowances, qualifications, and pricing breakdowns aligned with the solicitation requirements
• Lead internal estimate reviews and present scope, pricing, labor, risk, contingency, and recommended bid strategy to executive leadership
• Verify estimate completeness, mathematical accuracy, quote coverage, document traceability, and compliance with company estimating standards before submission
• Support client meetings, scope reviews, value engineering, best-and-final offers, and post-bid negotiations as required
• Lead the estimate-to-project handoff, including transfer of scope, budget, labor assumptions, vendor quotations, procurement risks, schedule assumptions, and unresolved items
• Compare estimated costs with actual project performance and incorporate lessons learned into labor factors, cost databases, and estimating practices
• Maintain and improve estimating templates, cost codes, historical cost information, labor productivity data, proposal standards, and review checklists
• Provide direction, quality review, training, and mentoring to estimators, takeoff personnel, and project staff supporting assigned pursuits
• Assist leadership with opportunity screening, bid/no-bid recommendations, workload planning, and prioritization of estimating resources
• Perform other project accounting and contract administration duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent electrical field and estimating experience will be considered
• Seven or more years of progressive electrical construction and estimating experience, including responsibility for complex or multi-million-dollar estimates
• Strong working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, power distribution, raceway, cable, grounding, lighting, controls, instrumentation, testing, and commissioning requirements
• Demonstrated ability to interpret electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, specifications, P&IDs, control documents, schedules, and contract requirements
• Strong understanding of electrical construction means and methods, labor productivity, crew planning, material procurement, and project sequencing
• Ability to lead multiple estimates, establish priorities, meet firm deadlines, and maintain accuracy under changing bid conditions
• Strong analytical, negotiation, written communication, presentation, and decision-making skills
• High level of integrity, accountability, attention to detail, and protection of confidential information

Required Certifications and Training

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel for site visits, pre-bid meetings, and client discussions
• Electrical apprenticeship, journeyman electrician, master electrician, or equivalent field training preferred
• OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety certification preferred or required within a company-established period after hire
• Professional estimating certification through ASPE, AACE International, or equivalent organization beneficial
• Company-specific estimating, contract review, project controls, and safety training

Tools & Technology

• Electrical estimating and digital takeoff software for quantity development, labor application, pricing, and bid management
• Microsoft Excel for cost modeling, bid leveling, labor analysis, and estimate reconciliation
• Bluebeam Revu or equivalent software for document review, takeoff support, overlays, and markups
• Project management and estimating platforms such as Procore or equivalent systems
• Scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project for estimate-level planning and schedule review
• Company-provided computer, monitors, and related office technology

Experience

• Experience estimating industrial electrical, water and wastewater, manufacturing, power, process, or other technically complex projects
• Experience with hard-bid, negotiated, design-build, EPC, conceptual, budgetary, unit-price, and change-order estimates
• Experience leading bid reviews, developing proposal clarifications, supporting negotiations, and transferring awarded estimates to project teams
• Field electrical construction experience strongly preferred

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based work with extended periods of computer use and detailed document review
• Ability to sit, stand, communicate, and work with plans and electronic files for extended periods
• Ability to safely access active construction sites, industrial facilities, and uneven terrain during site visits
• Must wear required PPE while visiting active project sites

Work Environment

• Professional office environment with periodic travel to project sites, client offices, vendor facilities, and pre-bid meetings
• Frequent coordination with Estimating, Operations, Project Management, field leadership, clients, vendors, and subcontractors
• Work hours may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends when required to meet bid deadlines

Supervision

• Reports to the Chief Estimator, Preconstruction Manager, Vice President of Operations, or other designated executive
• Provides functional leadership and work direction to estimators and other personnel assigned to specific pursuits
• Reviews estimating work for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with company standards
• May participate in hiring, training, performance feedback, and development of estimating personnel

Safety Expectations

• Incorporate safe work methods, site conditions, access requirements, temporary protections, and safety-related costs into each estimate
• Follow all company safety policies and site-specific requirements during site visits
• Complete required orientations and wear appropriate PPE before entering active project sites
• Support GDC Industrial's safety culture by ensuring estimates provide adequate resources for safe execution

Career Progression

• Successful performance may lead to Senior Lead Estimator (EST5), Chief Estimator (EST6), Preconstruction Manager, or another estimating leadership role