Structural Steel Estimator - Business Development
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Full-Time | Hybrid: Office + Field
Compensation: $125,000-$175,000 (Base Salary + Bonus), Based on Experience
This position was built to expand the company's growth capacity, strengthen client relationships, build a more stable project pipeline, and create long-term succession leverage within the estimating department. You'll work directly alongside the company's Chief Estimator - learning the business from the inside while building your own client relationships and managing your own pipeline.
This is not a cold-call sales role. Success here comes from technical credibility, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through - not pressure tactics. It's a strong fit for an experienced steel professional who wants to grow into a higher-visibility role - including a real path toward leadership as the estimating and business development function grows - within a stable, team-oriented company, without leaving the technical side of the business behind.
What You'll Do
- Estimating & Proposal Development (40%) - Estimate structural and miscellaneous steel scopes, perform take-offs and pricing, and prepare clear, professional bid proposals.
- Bid Follow-Up, Negotiation & Closing (25%) - Follow up on submitted bids and negotiate scope, pricing, and terms to close work.
- Client Relationships & Industry Presence (20%) - Build and maintain relationships with contractors and clients; represent the company at meetings, site visits, and industry events.
- Pipeline Development (15%) - Develop and manage a long-term pipeline of project opportunities.
What Success Looks Like
The right person in this role consistently:
- Produces accurate, timely estimates
- Follows up on every bid - no passive tracking
- Builds trust with contractors and clients over time
- Balances field presence with office execution
- Keeps a clear, organized view of their pipeline
- Does what they say they're going to do
Qualifications
Required:
- 5+ years of experience estimating structural and/or miscellaneous steel for commercial or industrial projects
- Comfortable managing several active estimates at once against tight deadlines
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills - you'll represent the company directly to current and prospective clients
- Proven ability to write clear, compelling proposals
- Comfortable splitting time between office and field work in the Phoenix area
Preferred:
- Working knowledge of Tekla or similar estimating software
- Proficiency in Excel and Word
This Role May Not Be a Fit If You
- Prefer purely desk-based estimating with no client interaction
- Dislike relationship-based work or find follow-up conversations draining
- Struggle to stay organized when tracking multiple bids at once
- Need a rigid, repetitive daily workflow
- Aren't comfortable moving between field and office environments
Compensation & Benefits
- $125,000-$175,000 total compensation (base salary + performance-based incentives tied to project success), based on experience
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off and holidays
What Makes This Role Different
- A newly created position with real growth potential and long-term succession leverage
- Direct mentorship from an experienced Chief Estimator
- High visibility on a small, tight-knit team
- Exposure to both private and public-sector projects
- Field work stays local to the Phoenix area - no extensive travel
