Senior Electrical Estimator

Legence•Odenton, MD

3d•$130,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

VarcoMac, a Legence company, is seeking an experienced Senior Electrical Estimator to lead estimating efforts for complex commercial electrical construction projects. The role develops accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost estimates and helps shape pursuit and pricing strategy. The Senior Estimator independently manages estimates from initial bid review through final submission, including takeoffs, vendor and subcontractor solicitation, scope analysis, risk evaluation, pricing strategy, and estimate development. The position also serves as a senior technical resource to the estimating team and works closely with project management, operations, business development, customers, vendors, subcontractors, and company leadership. Projects include data centers, biopharmaceutical facilities, semiconductor facilities, office buildings, laboratories, and light industrial environments, with values ranging from $50,000 to $100 million. The position supports design-build and plan/specification projects, coordinates project handoffs to operations, provides preconstruction and occasional execution-phase estimating support, and mentors less experienced estimators. This is an onsite position. No visa sponsorship is available.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive electrical construction estimating experience, preferably in commercial or large-scale electrical construction.
Demonstrated experience independently leading complex estimates and competitive project pursuits.
Experience estimating projects ranging from $50,000 to $100 million.
Strong experience with commercial electrical systems and construction methods.
Experience with both design-build and plan/specification project delivery.
Advanced knowledge of commercial electrical construction methods, systems, materials, equipment, and labor requirements.
Strong understanding of electrical drawings, specifications, contracts, and construction documents.
Advanced ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop comprehensive labor and material estimates.
Competency with computerized estimating and digital takeoff software.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to assess project risk and make sound estimating recommendations.
Ability to identify scope gaps, constructability issues, cost-saving opportunities, and potential project risks.
Strong commercial judgment and understanding of how estimating decisions affect project performance.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate technical and financial information to varied audiences.
Strong organizational and time-management skills and ability to manage multiple estimates and priorities simultaneously.
High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and support less experienced estimators.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.
Current U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and electrical construction and estimating experience will also be considered.
Experience with data center, biopharmaceutical, semiconductor, laboratory, mission-critical, or other technically complex projects.
Previous experience mentoring, training, or reviewing the work of other estimators.
ConEst experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior estimating resource for complex and high-value project pursuits.
Partner with business development, project management, operations, customers, vendors, and subcontractors throughout estimating and proposal activities.
Lead scope clarification and bid-related discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
Provide recommendations on pricing, project risk, constructability, value engineering, and competitive positioning.
Participate in estimate reviews, proposal presentations, and turnover meetings with company leadership and project teams.
Build and maintain relationships with vendors, subcontractors, and industry partners.
Lead detailed electrical construction estimates for design-build and plan/specification projects.
Review and interpret drawings, specifications, addenda, contracts, and other bid documents to develop complete project scopes.
Perform and oversee quantity takeoffs, labor calculations, material pricing, equipment costing, and subcontractor scope development.
Establish project-specific estimating strategies, assumptions, clarifications, exclusions, allowances, and contingencies.
Develop pricing breakouts, alternates, value-engineering options, and other requested pricing scenarios.
Identify scope gaps, project risks, constructability concerns, and cost-saving opportunities.
Use historical project data, market conditions, vendor pricing, and project requirements to develop competitive and financially sound estimates.
Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and alignment with project requirements before submission.
Lead vendor and subcontractor solicitation and evaluate pricing for scope completeness, competitiveness, and risk.
Coordinate with project management and field operations to incorporate constructability, labor strategy, logistics, scheduling, and execution considerations into estimates.
Support pursuit strategy and bid/no-bid discussions with business development and leadership.
Lead or participate in final estimate reviews and presentations with leadership.
Support project handoff from estimating to operations by communicating scope, pricing assumptions, risks, opportunities, and contractual requirements.
Provide estimating support during preconstruction and, when needed, project execution.
Mentor Estimators and other preconstruction team members; review their work and provide guidance.
Share estimating best practices, lessons learned, and market intelligence across the team.
Help maintain consistent estimating standards, processes, and documentation.
Support improvement of estimating tools, templates, historical cost data, and workflows.
Maintain comprehensive electronic records of estimates, assumptions, calculations, quotations, correspondence, and supporting documentation.
Prepare estimate summaries, executive bid reviews, and customer-facing pricing documentation.
Organize estimating files and bid documentation according to company standards.
Communicate estimate assumptions, risks, exclusions, and recommendations to leadership and project stakeholders.
Manage multiple concurrent pursuits and deliver accurate estimates and proposals within established deadlines.