Estimator- GU
About The Position
Gordon Highlander is seeking an experienced Estimator – Ground-Up to join our growing Austin team and support commercial construction opportunities across the South Region. This role will have a strong focus on ground-up commercial and industrial construction, including distribution centers, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, cold storage, large-scale retail, and build-to-suit projects. You’ll work closely with clients, trade partners, Preconstruction, and Operations to develop accurate, competitive estimates from early conceptual budgeting through final pricing, helping position projects for success from the earliest stages of an opportunity.
Requirements
- 4+ years of commercial construction estimating, preconstruction, project management, or related experience
- Strong experience estimating Ground-Up commercial construction projects
- Experience with projects such as distribution centers, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, cold storage, industrial facilities, large-scale retail, or similar commercial construction
- Strong understanding of site development, structural systems, building envelope, MEP systems, construction sequencing, and constructability
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, civil, structural, and MEP construction documents
- Experience developing conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, bid leveling, and scope analysis
- Strong trade-partner relationships and the ability to develop new subcontractor relationships within the Austin market
- Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness
- Willingness to travel locally and regionally for site evaluations and project meetings
Nice To Haves
- A bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent commercial construction experience will be considered.
Responsibilities
- Manage Ground-Up estimates from initial opportunity and conceptual budgeting through final pricing and turnover to Operations
- Review drawings, specifications, site conditions, and project requirements to develop complete and accurate estimates
- Perform quantity takeoffs, bid leveling, scope reviews, and detailed cost analysis
- Solicit and evaluate trade-partner pricing while maintaining strong subcontractor and supplier relationships
- Develop estimates across major scopes including sitework, concrete, structural systems, building envelope, roofing, and MEP systems
- Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, logistics challenges, schedule impacts, and pricing risks
- Visit prospective project sites to evaluate existing conditions, access, utilities, logistics, and site constraints
- Develop value-engineering solutions and clearly communicate assumptions, qualifications, exclusions, and key cost drivers
- Collaborate with Preconstruction, Operations, and Field teams to ensure estimates reflect a practical and executable construction approach
- Participate in client meetings, pricing discussions, and proposal presentations as needed
- Support the development of subcontractor relationships and market intelligence within Austin and the surrounding region
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
