Chief Estimator

Rising Edge Group•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Rising Edge Group is an electrical contracting company founded in 2002 that specializes in high-voltage electrical solutions for critical infrastructure across North America. It works with clients in the electrical utilities, renewable energy, and industrial sectors to design, build, and maintain infrastructure systems. Reporting to the Director of Pre-Construction, the Chief Estimator provides strategic and technical leadership while preparing and reviewing estimates for complex electrical infrastructure projects, including substations, transmission, distribution, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Working with regional leadership, project management, engineering, and the pre-construction team, the role ensures estimates are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project execution strategies. The Chief Estimator also supports team development and continuous improvement. The position leads estimating activities across the United States, manages and reviews detailed cost estimates, develops proposal deliverables, assesses risks and commercial exposures, and supports bidding and pursuit strategies. It establishes estimating standards and processes, mentors estimating professionals, analyzes cost and market data, and collaborates across project teams to align estimates with execution requirements and current market conditions. Candidates must complete pre-employment screening, including professional reference checks and a criminal record check.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in electrical estimating, pre-construction, or electrical infrastructure project delivery.
Extensive experience developing, reviewing, and validating estimates for complex electrical infrastructure projects, including substations and/or BESS.
Strong understanding of high-voltage electrical construction methods, labor productivity, material and equipment costs, subcontractor pricing, and project execution requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical bid reviews, establish estimating standards, assess project risks and commercial exposures, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Experience mentoring estimating professionals and collaborating with senior leadership, project management, and engineering teams across multiple regions.
Strong understanding of protection and control systems, electrical drawings, specifications, and project execution plans.
Experience preparing and reviewing construction schedules using Microsoft Project and/or Primavera P6.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant estimating software.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites or regional offices as required.
Candidates must complete pre-employment screening, including professional reference checks and a criminal record check.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is considered an asset.
Experience with InEight (Hard Dollar) estimating software is a plus.
Experience in the high-voltage, utility, or renewable energy sectors is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and support estimating activities across the United States, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality in estimates and proposals.
Manage, assist with, prepare, review, and validate detailed cost estimates for complex, high-value, and high-risk electrical infrastructure projects, covering labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and indirect costs.
Train and develop a team of Estimators.
Improve and manage estimating processes and templates.
Establish and maintain estimating standards, procedures, cost methodologies, and review processes.
Lead the development and review of proposal deliverables, including project schedules, cash flow analyses, construction methodologies, execution plans, and supporting documentation.
Assess project risks, commercial exposures, and constructability constraints, and identify value-engineering and cost-saving opportunities.
Collaborate with the Director of Pre-Construction, Estimating Manager, regional leadership, and business development teams on bid/no-bid decisions, pursuit strategies, client presentations, commercial negotiations, and contract awards.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Lead Estimators, Project Estimators, and other pre-construction personnel, encouraging development and knowledge sharing.
Analyze historical project costs, benchmarking data, productivity assumptions, labor and material pricing, and market trends to improve estimating accuracy and competitiveness.
Partner with project management, engineering, procurement, and construction teams to align estimates with execution requirements and current market conditions.
Evaluate estimating software, tools, and workflows, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, standardization, and reporting.