Sr MEP Estimator

Hill international•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Hill International is seeking a Senior MEP Estimator to join our East Coast team. The Senior Estimator will produce accurate quantity take-offs and estimates calibrated to the level of design and specification completeness at each estimating stage—from conceptual/order-of-magnitude through fully detailed construction document estimates. This role combines hands-on estimating, third-party estimate review, client and senior-management interaction, and the mentorship of junior staff. A core expectation is the judgment to apply the appropriate level of detail, methodology, contingency, and documentation that each design stage warrants.

Requirements

BA/BS in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or a related field preferred.
15+ years in the construction industry, preferably electrical or mechanical, with a minimum of 10 years of mechanical estimating experience required; electrical estimating experience preferred.
A mixture of field and consulting experience preferred.
Strong conceptual estimating skills with limited information, plus the judgment to know what level of detail each design stage warrants.
Experience across schematic, conceptual, DD, and CD estimating phases.
Intermediate to advanced understanding of mechanical systems sufficient to recognize relative costs.
General knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control, and material pricing.
Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, purchase orders, contracts, and cost coding systems (e.g., CSI MasterFormat / UniFormat).
Proficiency with estimating software such as On-Screen Takeoff, WinEst, or Destini preferred.
Mechanical process piping, clean room, data center, water/wastewater treatment, rail and transit, and/or industrial manufacturing project experience preferred.
Ability to build strong internal and external relationships with clients, design consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and Hill staff.
Effective written and verbal communication, leadership, and mentoring capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Electrical estimating experience preferred.
A mixture of field and consulting experience preferred.
Mechanical process piping, clean room, data center, water/wastewater treatment, rail and transit, and/or industrial manufacturing project experience preferred.
Proficiency with estimating software such as On-Screen Takeoff, WinEst, or Destini preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide electrical and mechanical estimating expertise across a variety of project types and design phases.
Perform quantity take-offs from SD/DD through CD level, applying the appropriate level of detail for the design maturity at hand.
Prepare accurate quantification and unit costs for the electrical and mechanical CSI Divisions of assigned projects, with well-organized detail and defensible baseline unit pricing.
Review third-party estimates for adequacy, uniformity, and completeness.
Evaluate and level vendor quotes, bid information, and change orders.
Solicit subcontractor and supplier quotations and scheduling input as required.
Collaborate with architects and engineers to request clarifications or additional information; document assumptions and exclusions.
Develop, prepare, and review value analysis (value engineering) estimates.
Provide electrical and mechanical expertise in construction planning meetings; familiarize the project team with estimate assumptions and methods; assist with the initial subcontracting plan.
Attend project meetings and perform site investigations as assigned.
Coordinate activities with the Hill estimating team and serve as a resource and reviewer for other team members' take-offs.
Interact professionally with clients, senior management, and project team members.
Maintain proficiency in, and help maintain, all estimating software.
Demonstrate effective leadership and mentor and develop junior estimators.
Own the interface where mechanical, electrical, and low-voltage scopes overlap, ensuring cost is neither double-counted nor lost between disciplines.
State Division 21/22/23/25/26/27/28 scope boundaries explicitly in Basis of Estimate inclusions and exclusions.
Coordinate escalation forecasting across mechanical and electrical materials — modeling electrical gear (switchgear, transformers) as an independent BLS series distinct from general mechanical materials.