Senior Commercial HVAC Estimator

CoolSys • Milwaukie, OR

1d

About The Position

CoolSys is seeking a high-level HVAC Estimator to support the growth of its Northwest HVAC Construction Department. This strategic role focuses on capturing $4 million in annual revenue growth by leading bids for complex institutional and industrial projects, particularly healthcare systems and mission-critical infrastructure. The estimator will manage a high-volume pipeline of 30 or more active opportunities and develop competitive bids for institutional healthcare, data centers, and large-scale commercial projects.

The role involves technical value engineering, conceptual estimating, and identifying project risks, including non-standard work conditions, labor productivity factors in the Pacific Northwest, and supply-chain lead times for long-lead equipment. The estimator will interpret layered MEP drawings, apply knowledge of complex HVAC systems and applicable codes and standards, and communicate mechanical solutions and project value to stakeholders and general contractors.

CoolSys provides HVAC and refrigeration solutions, including equipment sourcing, installation, repair, maintenance, monitoring, optimization, engineering design, energy resilience and consumption optimization, asset recycling, and multi-site rollouts. The company has more than 3,700 associates and serves over 45,000 customer locations.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of commercial or industrial HVAC estimating experience, specifically in the Pacific Northwest market.
• Proven experience in healthcare and mission-critical industrial environments.
• High-level proficiency in a Microsoft Office environment.
• Deep understanding of hydronic systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and electrification-based HVAC retrofits.
• Deep knowledge of complex hydronic systems, airside equipment, chillers, and system integration.
• For data center projects, proficiency with CRAC/CRAH units and cooling tower configurations.
• Ability to interpret multi-layered mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings and identify potential spatial conflicts.
• Familiarity with Oregon Energy Codes, OSHPD/OAR healthcare requirements, and LEED sustainability standards.
• Ability to explain complex mechanical solutions to non-technical stakeholders and general contractors.
• Negotiation skills to reconcile vendor quotes with project budgets while maintaining supplier relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Experience proposing cost-saving design alternatives, such as using a fabrication shop for skids, without sacrificing performance.
• Experience creating order-of-magnitude estimates from incomplete schematic designs or simple narratives for design-build work.
• Ability to assess regional labor productivity factors, non-standard work conditions, and long-lead equipment supply risks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute competitive bids for institutional healthcare, data center, and large-scale commercial opportunities.
• Lead bidding efforts for complex institutional and industrial HVAC projects, with a focus on healthcare systems and mission-critical infrastructure.
• Identify and capture scope opportunities during the bidding phase through technical value engineering.
• Manage a pipeline of 30 or more active opportunities and maintain precision in estimating and opportunity management.
• Develop alternative materials or layouts that reduce costs without sacrificing performance.
• Create order-of-magnitude pricing from incomplete schematic designs or project narratives.
• Identify non-standard work conditions, regional labor productivity factors, and supply-chain lead times for long-lead items.
• Explain complex mechanical solutions to non-technical stakeholders and general contractors, emphasizing return on investment and reliability.
• Negotiate vendor quotes and project budgets while maintaining regional supplier relationships.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and a floating holiday.
• Medical coverage starting at $0 per paycheck.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company-sponsored life insurance and optional AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts on vehicles, hotels, theme parks, select cell phone bills, and other offerings.
• Pet insurance.
• Legal plan and identity theft protection.
• Competitive pay of $60,000–$100,000 plus commission, depending on experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed