Senior Lead estimator – Structural Steel / Industrial

Loenbro•Gilbert, AZ

About The Position

Loenbro is hiring a Senior Lead Estimator in its Estimating department. The role is a key technical leader responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive estimates for complex, high-risk, or specialized industrial steel construction projects. The estimator oversees the full steel estimating process, including quantity takeoffs, labor and equipment analysis, material pricing, subcontractor evaluations, risk assessments, and cost modeling. The role covers structural steel, miscellaneous metals, and specialized non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, across heavy infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment plants, data centers, mining, and industrial facilities. The position serves as a discipline technical authority for scope, productivity, pricing, constructability, and execution assumptions; leads team estimates; provides independent QA/QC for significant pursuits; and advises Operations and leadership on risk, contingency, value engineering, procurement strategy, and commercial position. It also supports estimating procedures, business development, conceptual and ROM pricing, and the mentoring and development of other estimators. The position reports to the Chief Estimator. The role is based in Gilbert, Arizona, with hybrid or onsite work and approximately 10–15% travel expected, primarily for client meetings and site walks. Work may involve exposure to construction, manufacturing, pipeline, or refining environments, as well as physical activities such as climbing, walking on uneven terrain, lifting, standing, sitting, stooping, crawling, and kneeling. A respirator may be required depending on the position's needs.

Requirements

Minimum of 8–12+ years of relevant industrial construction steel estimating experience or equivalent directly applicable construction experience.
Five or more years of experience with Tekla Structures or PowerFAB and/or modeling software.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Extensive estimating experience and recognized technical authority in at least one construction discipline.
Demonstrated success leading complex or high-risk pursuits with minimal oversight.
Advanced capability in estimate strategy, cost development, risk, QA/QC, and cross-functional coordination.
Advanced proficiency with applicable estimating, takeoff, reporting, and document-management systems.
Ability to maintain accuracy and composure while managing tight and fluctuating bid deadlines and repricing schedules.
Ability to mentor others and influence consistent estimating practices.
Ability to travel periodically; approximately 10–15% travel is expected, primarily for client meetings and site walks.
If driving is required, a valid driver's license and proof of insurability are required; drivers are subject to a DMV background records search.

Nice To Haves

Relevant degree, technical training, field experience, or professional certification.
Direct involvement in civil, concrete, process piping, and equipment setting.
At least two years in a leadership role.
Conceptual, alternative-delivery, multi-discipline, or major-project experience.
HCSS HeavyBid software proficiency.
Experience with federal and public works projects involving strict procurement requirements and standards.
Experience with California and Los Angeles County requirements, including Northern and Southern California seismic design impacts on steel fabrication and erection.
Comprehensive understanding of shop fabrication capabilities and field erection methodologies, including labor logistics, crane constraints, equipment and site access limitations, and multi-phase scheduling.

Responsibilities

Validate quantity takeoffs and ensure accurate entry into estimating software.
Apply advanced cost analysis and contingency planning to mitigate risk.
Estimate heavy infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater treatment plants, data centers, mining, and industrial facilities.
Estimate structural steel, miscellaneous metals, and specialized non-ferrous metals, including aluminum and stainless steel.
Serve as a technical authority for scope, productivity, pricing, constructability, and execution assumptions.
Provide independent quality assurance and quality control for significant pursuits.
Develop conceptual, design-assist, design-build, and alternative-delivery estimates using historical and market data.
Advise Operations and leadership on risk, contingency, value engineering, procurement strategy, and commercial position.
Mentor estimators and improve technical consistency.
Lead team or group estimates and manage multiple complex bids simultaneously.
Lead estimate turnover and lessons-learned activities for assigned pursuits.
Communicate with Operations, Procurement, and Project Management teams during preconstruction.
Develop and maintain cost data, benchmarks, tools, templates, and technical estimating methods.
Develop and enforce estimating procedures, including pre-estimate checklists and opportunity matrices.
Support the Chief Estimator on regional priorities, workload, reviews, and development activities as assigned.
Ensure compliance with contractual requirements and company standards.
Analyze project execution to optimize efficiency and profitability.
Support business development and sales with conceptual estimates and rough-order-of-magnitude pricing.
Articulate scope boundaries and value-engineering options.
Travel periodically to offices, client locations, and project sites.