Electrical Estimator

Sun Tribe•Charlottesville, VA

70d•Hybrid

About The Position

Sun Tribe EPC (“Sun Tribe”) is Virginia’s premier utility-scale solar design and build firm, specializing in sub-20MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities. Our construction efforts are focused throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and neighboring states. At Sun Tribe, we build with purpose - prioritizing safety, quality, and environmental stewardship in every project we deliver. Sun Tribe EPC’s Preconstruction Team’s mission is to develop quality business opportunities that enable efficient delivery in a predictable manner. The Electrical Estimator plays an important role in that mission by developing accurate and competitive electrical and mechanical project estimates for small utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects. The Electrical Estimator independently manages the non-civil estimating scope for assigned opportunities, working closely with Civil Estimating, Project Engineering, Supply Chain, subcontractors, project owners, and developers. This role develops project estimates, evaluates subcontractor and vendor pricing, identifies scope and cost risks and opportunities, and supports projects from early-stage estimating through award, project budgeting, and deliberate handoff to Project Management. This position reports directly to the VP of Preconstruction and serves as the electrical estimating subject matter expert for Preconstruction and cross-functional project teams.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline preferred, or equivalent relevant engineering, design, or construction experience.
Minimum two (2) years of electrical estimating experience required.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills required.
Strong understanding of electrical engineering drawings, design documents, specifications, and construction methodologies.
Ability to manage multiple estimates, priorities, and bid deadlines simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing electrical quantity takeoffs and developing construction cost estimates.
Experience estimating medium-voltage interconnected solar facilities.
Experience with electrical estimating software such as Trimble Accubid, McCormick, ConEst IntelliBid, PlanSwift, or similar.
Experience with Procore or other construction management software.
Experience with scheduling software such as MS Project.
Experience using AI tools to support estimating, analysis, or process efficiency.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high degree of attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with subcontractors, vendors, and cross-functional internal teams.
Alignment with Sun Tribe's core values: Community, Safety, Perpetual Improvement, Nature, Joy, and Respect.
Commitment to a culture of safety, accountability, and high-quality project delivery.

Responsibilities

Owns the development and completion of project-level internal estimates (“Cost Stacks”), excluding civil site work developed by the Civil Estimator.
Performs detailed quantity takeoffs for DC and AC electrical systems from back of module to point of interconnection for solar and battery energy storage projects.
Develops detailed electrical cost estimates, budgets, and proposals based on quantity takeoffs and vendor and subcontractor pricing.
Analyzes electrical drawings, specifications, owner requirements, and other project documentation to determine scope, schedule, quantities, risks, and opportunities.
Analyzes labor, material, and equipment costs to develop accurate and competitive bids.
Coordinates with Supply Chain and Engineering to obtain equipment, material, engineering, and other applicable project pricing and scope information.
Creates comprehensive RFPs and leads bid clarification and scope review discussions with electrical and mechanical subcontractors.
Reviews and levels subcontractor proposals to identify scope gaps, qualifications, exclusions, risks, and pricing differences.
Develops project-specific inclusions, exclusions, and clarifications for electrical and mechanical scopes that align with client requirements and project objectives.
Develops independent, stand-alone electrical estimates for assigned bids to evaluate subcontractor pricing.
Collaborates with Project Management and Supply Chain to ensure estimates, RFPs, subcontractor proposals, and supporting documentation are completed in accordance with bid schedules.
Supports development and maintenance of a qualified electrical and mechanical subcontractor network to promote a healthy and competitive bidding environment.
Converts bid estimates into project budgets following project award and provides estimating support for change orders and RFIs as needed.
Supports deliberate project handoff from Preconstruction to Project Management by communicating estimate assumptions, scope, pricing, inclusions and exclusions, risks, opportunities, and relevant bid history.
Compares actual project costs to estimates and incorporates lessons learned into future estimating practices.
Contributes to continuous improvement of estimating tools, templates, historical pricing data, SOPs, and processes.