Senior Estimator

Compu Dynamics

$90K — $120K *
Real Estate & Construction
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
  • 7+ years of electrical, mechanical, or infrastructure estimating experience.
  • Experience supporting hyperscale or colocation data center clients is preferred.
  • Commercial general contracting experience in the data center or mission-critical space is desired.

Responsibilities

  • Critically analyze complex drawing packages to identify design conflicts and scope gaps.
  • Lead vendor negotiations and bid accuracy assessments for complex estimates.
  • Develop and maintain competitive cost estimates from kickoff to submission.
  • Oversee quality checks and ensure compliance with code requirements in bid submissions.
  • Lead risk management strategies and assess cost impacts for identified risks.
  • Coordinate bid proposal development and internal reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
  • Monitor market conditions and adjust pricing benchmarks for competitive estimates.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match and profit-sharing opportunities.
  • Employer-Paid Life Insurance coverage equal to 1x your salary.
  • Fully paid Short-Term Disability (STD) by Compu Dynamics.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) accumulating up to 160 hours annually after 60 days of employment.
  • Paid Holidays including 7 company-observed holidays plus a floating holiday.
  • Birthday Time Off of 8 hours during your birthday month.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

The Sr. Estimator (SE) leads complex estimates; owns bid accuracy, risk planning & vendor negotiations.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. DOCUMENT REVIEW & TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
  • Critically analyzes complex, multi-discipline drawing packages; identifies scope gaps, design conflicts, and coordination issues.
  • Leads RFP analysis for complex pursuits; ensures all scope deficiencies are identified and communicated to clients promptly.
  • Reviews for approval all scope qualifications in bid packages; ensures assumptions are clearly stated and defensible.
  • Negotiates scope and commercial terms with subcontractors and vendors; recommends the company's position on prime contract risk items to leadership.
  • Plans and leads site visits for complex projects; uses findings to resolve scope uncertainties and improve estimate accuracy.
2. COST ESTIMATE, PARTNER/VENDOR COORDINATION & PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
  • Leads complex, multi-discipline cost estimates from kickoff through final submission; ensures accuracy, completeness, and market competitiveness. Reviews all estimates for complete safety cost coverage; incorporates project-specific safety programs and ensures all compliance costs are identified and accounted for.
  • Reviews and approves all BOMs before pricing release; verifies accuracy and alignment with project scope and drawings.
  • Maintains up-to-date internal cost databases, monitors market conditions and adjusts pricing benchmarks to keep estimates competitive.
  • Leads vendor and subcontractor selection for assigned projects; applies consistent scope, pricing, and qualification criteria.
  • Negotiates pricing, scope, and terms to achieve competitive and complete coverage.
  • Coordinates the full preparation and internal review of bid packages while ensuring proposals are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
  • Leads quality checks and benchmarks pricing against historical project data and current market rates before final submission.
  • Leads estimate-to-field handoff meetings for awarded projects to ensure the PM and field operations team have full visibility into scope, unit costs, assumptions, and open items.
3. RISK MANAGEMENT & QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Leads risk identification across all assigned estimates and assesses the cost and schedule impact of each identified risk.
  • Owns project-level risk tracking, developing contingency strategies, and presenting risk positions with dollar exposure during bid review.
  • Leads pre-submission compliance reviews and ensures all pricing adheres to code requirements, specification mandates, and contract obligations.
  • Leads post-award benchmarking sessions by analyzing estimate-to-actual variances and applying root cause findings to future estimates.
4. TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS
  • Advanced proficiency across all estimating platforms; uses BIM/VDC tools for clash detection and scope validation on complex projects; identifies workflow improvements for the team.
  • Ensures consistent and accurate Procore & SharePoint use across the estimating team; audits project records for completeness and data integrity.
  • Oversees estimating tracker accuracy across all active bids; holds the team accountable for timely and complete updates.
5. BID STRUCTURE & STRATEGY
  • Engages in bid/no-bid discussions and proactively notifies leadership regarding capacity constraints, risk concerns, and scope fit issues.
  • Contributes to design-build and alternative delivery proposals by developing competitive pricing strategies and scope narratives to support pursuit efforts.
  • Maintains the team's Hot-Sheets pricing database and tracks material and labor market trends to keep estimates competitive and current.
  • Manages day-to-day client relationships throughout the estimating process resolving open scope questions while keeping key contacts informed and confident.
  • Leads pre-bid meetings with clients and design teams while driving scope clarification and ensuring all questions are resolved before estimating begins.
  • Leads preconstruction and bid review meetings, presents estimate status and risks, defends pricing decisions, and drives cross-team alignment.
6. TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
  • No direct supervisory responsibilities but will oversee project-specific bid teams or coordinate work of Estimators and Junior Estimators on complex pursuits.
  • Provides direct, specific feedback to Estimators and Junior Estimators on scope and technical work while coaching team members on best practices while fostering a knowledge-sharing culture.
  • Assigns bid tasks and prioritizes team workload to guarantee on-time estimate submission.
7. SUCCESS FACTORS & COMPANY VALUES
  • Upholds and reinforces professional standards across the estimating team while directly and constructively addressing conduct issues.
  • Establishes high quality standards for the team, consistently exceeding the baseline and challenging others to improve.
  • Cultivates an inclusive team culture where people feel heard, valued, and comfortable sharing ideas or raising concerns.
  • Establishes trust with clients, vendors, and teammates by upholding commitments and maintaining communication, particularly when sharing difficult news.
  • Reinforces jobsite safety expectations with the team, ensuring safety requirements and associated costs are incorporated into all project estimates.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent education and experience.
  • 7+ years of electrical, mechanical, or infrastructure estimating experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting hyperscale or colocation data center clients.
  • Commercial general contracting experience, preferably in the data center or mission-critical space.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This role operates in both office and field environments. Field work may involve exposure to extreme weather, construction sites, and potentially hazardous materials. Ability to walk, stand, and climb stairs/ladders on job sites; lift up to 20 lbs.; maneuver in small or confined spaces.

Other Duties:

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of duties or responsibilities. These may change at any time with or without notice.

Compu Dynamics offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, well-being, and growth of our team members. Full-time employees are eligible for:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - effective the first of the month following hire, with plans currently offered through Cigna.
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan - automatic enrollment at 3% on your date of hire; company match up to 4% (with a 7% contribution needed to receive the full match), plus profit-sharing opportunities.
  • Employer-Paid Life Insurance - coverage equal to 1x your salary.
  • Short-Term Disability (STD) - fully paid by Compu Dynamics.
  • Voluntary Benefits - including Long-Term Disability, supplemental life insurance (employee, spouse, children), Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) - accrue up to 160 hours (4 weeks) annually, beginning after 60 days of employment.
  • Paid Holidays - 7 company-observed holidays plus a floating holiday.
  • Birthday Time Off - 8 hours of paid time off during your birthday month.
  • Paid Parental Leave - 8 weeks maternity leave and 2 weeks paternity leave, concurrent with FMLA.
  • Volunteer Time Off (VTO) - 40 hours annually for community service.
  • Boot Reimbursement - up to $150 annually, available from your first day.
  • Tool Reimbursement - $250 annually, available after 60 days.
  • Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,000 annually for approved educational programs.

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