Sr. Estimator Substation

RES

2d•$123,000 - $185,000•Remote

About The Position

The Sr. Estimator – Substation prepares cost estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned substations, applying an understanding of labor, materials, equipment, and productivity costs. The role manages accurate, competitive, and timely estimates for the Company’s renewable energy and transmission and distribution construction business, using knowledge of construction means and methods, costs, and industry principles. Scope may include temporary facilities; project and field management; structural steel and high-voltage equipment; foundations; auxiliary power and wiring; cable systems; grounding, SCADA and communications; fencing; transformers and control buildings; engineering, testing, taxes, contingency, warranties, and margin. The position handles complex estimates for Bid-Build and EPC construction proposals, coordinates with preconstruction, engineering, vendors, subcontractors, proposal teams, operations, and executives, and may lead or mentor other estimators. It develops quantity take-offs, resource and production estimates, indicative budgets, risk documentation, and bid proposal materials. The role also involves site visits and business travel, including evaluating site conditions and construction resources. The position requires an associate’s degree in a relevant field or a high school education with at least two years of equivalent industry experience, plus at least five years of substation or high-voltage estimating experience. The anticipated base salary range is $123,000–$185,000, and the position is bonus eligible. Benefits are effective on the first day of employment. The role is remote as indicated by the job posting’s #LI-Remote tag.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related area; alternatively, a high school education with at least two years of equivalent industry experience.
At least five years of estimating experience in substations or high-voltage systems.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to travel 5–15%.
Experience with EPC and Balance of Plant estimate structures for proposals involving large utility and utility-grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs and scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
Thorough understanding of construction tasks and processes for utility-grade renewable energy projects.
Familiarity with design-build construction methods and the ability to produce production-based cost estimates with detailed resource budget costs.
Ability to complete quantity take-offs from construction plans.
Ability to compile indicative budgets when engineered documents are unavailable.
Experience with estimating software.
Experience with Bluebeam or Adobe for quantity take-offs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Project, OneNote, Teams, and SharePoint.
Ability to assess site conditions using plans, geotechnical reports, or site visits and select appropriate labor, equipment, and material resources for estimates.
Ability to apply varying levels of detail to indicative and hard-bid proposals.
Strong client and subcontractor interface and negotiation skills.
Ability to evaluate site conditions during proposal phases and assess resources and production during construction phases.
Advanced communication skills, including the ability to explain advantages and disadvantages of design options.
Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking.
Ability and desire to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
Ability to work independently and complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of field-based construction experience.
Experience working with BESS DC- and AC-coupled systems and transmission line construction.
Experience with HCSS HeavyBid estimating software.

Responsibilities

Prepare accurate, competitive, and timely project cost and schedule estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned substation construction.
Review RFP documents to identify scope of work and required pricing elements.
Lead or participate in estimator teams for Bid-Build and EPC proposals, including coaching or mentoring estimators and associate estimators.
Coordinate with the Preconstruction Manager on engineering support services, estimate resources, durations, and project schedule milestones.
Request quotes from vendors and subcontractors, prioritize and distribute requests, and review quote responses for accuracy, completeness, and schedule alignment.
Complete quantity take-offs and calculate units of work for substation EPC self-perform scopes up to 500kV electrical systems.
Estimate resources and production rates for utility-grade substations supporting power generation and distribution, BESS, solar, and wind projects.
Gather and maintain current market data for construction, materials, and soft costs; account for local labor requirements, commodity pricing, and client specifications.
Identify project risks and document them in the Risk Register.
Review estimate entries and analyze multi-discipline costs against client RFP information, design, and cost-to-complete requirements.
Provide indicative budgets before RFP issuance when requested by clients.
Recommend alternative designs and scope definitions that improve consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
Prepare estimate-related bid proposal documents, including Schedule of Values, client technical forms, and Assumptions Clarifications Exclusions documents.
Present project scope, risks, and estimates for Operations and Executive reviews.
Coordinate with the Proposal Strategist and Preconstruction Manager to assemble final RFP responses.
Assist in compiling historical project cost data.
Operate a Company-aligned vehicle for site visits and business trips.
Attend work regularly and punctually, comply with company policies, and demonstrate a safety- and quality-oriented approach.
Follow safety and security procedures, report potentially unsafe conditions, and use materials and equipment properly.
Travel to sites to review proposal-phase conditions and evaluate resources and production during construction.