Senior Estimator

StructureCraft; Abbotsford; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading structural engineering firm located in Abbotsford is looking for a Business Development/Estimating Representative to join their growing team. This role involves estimating project costs, supporting the estimation methodology, and collaborating with engineering and project management teams. Candidates should have 5-8 years of relevant experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Excel. The company offers competitive benefits and a salary range of CAD 90,000 to CAD 130,000 annually.

Benefits

Extended Health

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

RRSP Match

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in Estimating, Preconstruction or a related field.
• High level of fluency reading drawings, specifications, and related project documents.
• Detailed personality with an eye for accuracy and organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and grow internal estimating wiki and support standardization of estimating processes.
• Scope incoming opportunities and summarize key project information for internal review.
• Perform a detailed review/takeoff of drawings and specifications.

Skills

Estimating

Budget estimation

Technical sales

Communication skills

Data organization

Education

Bachelor's or Diploma in technical studies, Construction Management, Estimating, Engineering

Tools

Excel

Bluebeam

3D modeling software (Rhino/Grasshopper/Sketch-Up)

Job description

Want to be on the leading edge of some of the most advanced timber and hybrid structures in North America?

As a business development/estimating representative joining our growing team, you will work on high profile timber project opportunities with some of North America’s leading clients and architects.

StructureCraft is a unique, family-owned structural engineering, manufacturing and construction company of 200 engineering and construction professionals that specializes in timber structures, incorporating steel, glass, concrete and other materials. We often act as the Structural Engineer of Record for our structures, and our vertically integrated approach allows us to take a holistic approach to optimizing our designs, providing significant value add to our clients.

Our team pushes the boundaries in complex geometry, optimization, digital fabrication, material testing and research. We are involved in mass timber structures, long span roofs, tall wood buildings, free‑form timber structures and bridges. Our work has been recognised nationally and internationally, including numerous engineering awards for innovation in timber construction. We create signature structures for our clients.

The mass timber revolution has put StructureCraft on a growth trajectory that promises to deliver strong, double‑digit, year‑over‑year growth. With growth comes the need for experienced, competent help in our estimating department.

Our head office and shop is located in the beautiful Fraser Valley, just an hour east of Vancouver, and close to the growing Abbotsford airport. Our US office is located in Seattle, WA.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Our small but agile Business Development team plays a pivotal role in our organization as the face for all new clients and project opportunities. The BD team has a wide range of responsibilities including initial client contact, generating and tracking leads, estimating and proposals, work with the Engineering team to develop conceptual engineering, and other preconstruction tasks prior to the successful award and handover of a project. We regularly work with leading owners, architects and contractors from around North America and Europe. As a full‑service company, the BD team regularly collaborates with all our other company departments including engineering, project management, shop carpenters, and site teams.

We are looking for a new member to join our growing team, with a focus on estimating. This position is very important to our organization as we continue to expand our project portfolio while improving our estimating methodology and processes. In addition to estimating, you will have opportunity to speak with clients and collaborate across company departments. As we are typically working in a design‑build manner, some engineering (structural) knowledge will be an asset to the position.

ROLE DETAILS:

You will report directly to the Manager of Preconstruction.

• Estimating Leadership. Develop and grow SC internal estimating wiki and support the standardization of StructureCraft’s estimating processes, including bidding procedures, takeoffs, supplier RFQs, and scope drawings/checklists. Help manage StructureCraft’s international supply chain by developing and growing key supplier relationships and capacity/couting databases. Develop and grow key estimating proformas/templates and assist the BD team in tracking project costs via Smartsheets/spreadsheets. Organise past project data into useful charts and KPIs. Mentor and help train estimators. Lead visitor tours of our SC shop and facility. Develop understanding of mass timber market including suppliers, costing, availability, species, lead times, etc. Track market fluctuations and communicate key findings internally and externally.
• Budget Estimating. Scope incoming opportunities and summarize key project information for internal review. Clearly understand the client needs and key project factors which influence costs. Perform a brief budget estimate of costs and communicate this to client with a concise proposal. Get strategic feedback on budget pricing from client.
• Detailed Estimating. Perform a detailed review/takeoff of drawings and specifications and understand how they relate to our scope. Liaise with our structural engineers, General Contractors and Architects to clearly communicate and receive feedback on the project as it relates to scope, schedule, site conditions, sustainability requirements, etc. Communicate and receive cost and schedule feedback from suppliers and subcontractors, including running competitive RFQs/RFPs as required. Develop concise but comprehensive and strategic sales estimates for turnkey engineering, manufacturing, fabrication and installation services. Lead bid reviews with BD/Senior Management to defend sales estimates and develop a winning proposal strategy. Handover successful projects to Project Management, ensuring continuity of relationships while final scope and pricing is established. Follow up with the PM team after project completion for lessons learned to incorporate in future estimates.
• Preconstruction Support. Work with SC Engineering department and BD Engineers to support project clients and relationships throughout the consulting/preconstruction phase (where SC is EOR), with estimating support, constructability support and contractor communication.
• Technical Sales. Speak with new clients, using knowledge of the company’s business, past projects and methodology to respond to their questions and hash out potential scope. Perform “Go No Go” analysis on project leads to determine suitability as it fits in with company workload and key sectors. Work with BD team on written project proposals, informed by your understanding of the project’s particular design elements, constraints and scope items.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Candidates with experience in construction or engineering industry are desired.
• 5–8 years of experience in Estimating, Preconstruction or related field. Experience with mass timber is an asset but not required.
• Undergraduate education (e.g. Bachelor’s or Diploma) in technical studies, Construction Management, Estimating, Engineering or related discipline.
• Detailed personality with an eye for accuracy, data organization, ability to multi‑task, service‑oriented.
• High level of fluency reading drawings, specifications, and related project documents.
• Significant experience with Excel, development of smart spreadsheets. Significant experience with Bluebeam or related software. Good at quick math.
• Experience working with 3D modelling software such as Rhino/Grasshopper/Sketch‑Up is an asset.
• Experience with CRMs or Estimating software is an asset.
• Great communication skills, verbally and written (strong grammar/spelling).
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals is an asset.

BENEFITS

• Extended Health, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• RRSP Match

This is an exciting time for StructureCraft as we grow our operations. Please click "Apply Now" to send in your application.

The pay range for this role is:

90,000 – 130,000 CAD per year (Abbotsford Head Office)