Chief Electrical Estimator

Talently; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Talently is seeking a Senior Leader to head the electrical estimating function in Southern California. You will drive bid strategy, lead takeoffs, and guide price development for large, complex projects across the preconstruction phase.

You will mentor the estimating team, build vendor relationships, and collaborate with project teams to optimize margins and value engineering opportunities. This is a senior, influential role based in Poway, CA.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of electrical construction estimating experience on large, complex projects.
• Ability to develop complete estimates from plans and specs.
• Experience with conceptual estimating, design-build, negotiated, GMP, and competitive hard-bid projects.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with industry-standard estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical estimating function, set priorities, standards, and bid strategies.
• Evaluate opportunities and develop conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates.
• Analyze construction documents and prepare detailed takeoffs, labor estimates, pricing, and bid breakdowns.
• Solicit and level subcontractor and vendor proposals, identifying scope gaps, discrepancies, and risks.
• Coordinate with owners, general contractors, design teams, vendors, and internal operations during preconstruction.
• Present estimates and pursuit strategies to leadership and support value engineering and constructability reviews.
• Mentor estimating staff and contribute to business development, pipeline planning, and customer relationships.

Skills

Electrical estimating

Leadership

Bid strategy

Contract/terms analysis

Design-build/GMP

Vendor/subcontractor negotiation

Estimating software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, or related field

Job description

About the Construction Industry / The Opportunity:

Join a growing construction company delivering technically complex electrical projects across Southern California. This senior leadership opportunity puts you at the center of project selection, preconstruction, estimating strategy, and business growth. You will lead the estimating function, build strong industry relationships, and help secure the right projects at the right margins.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the electrical estimating function and set priorities, standards, and bid strategies.
• Evaluate project opportunities and develop conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates.
• Analyze construction documents and prepare detailed takeoffs, labor estimates, pricing, and bid breakdowns.
• Solicit and level subcontractor and vendor proposals, identifying scope gaps, discrepancies, and risks.
• Coordinate with owners, general contractors, design teams, vendors, and internal operations throughout preconstruction.
• Present estimates and pursuit strategies to leadership and support value engineering and constructability reviews.
• Partner with project teams to support smooth project turnover and apply historical cost insights to future estimates.
• Mentor estimating staff and contribute to business development, pipeline planning, and customer relationships.

Must-Have Skills:

• 10+ years of electrical construction estimating experience, including large and complex projects.
• Strong commercial electrical construction knowledge, including materials, equipment, labor, productivity, codes, and installation methods.
• Ability to develop complete, accurate estimates independently from plans and specifications.
• Experience with conceptual estimating, design-build, negotiated, GMP, and competitive hard-bid projects.
• Proficiency analyzing vendor and subcontractor proposals, project contracts, commercial terms, and risk allocation.
• Demonstrated team leadership, mentoring, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with industry-standard estimating and construction software.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Estimating experience in biotech, life sciences, healthcare, medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, cleanroom, or advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledge of complex power distribution, emergency power, controls, lighting, low-voltage systems, specialty equipment, and commissioning requirements.
• Experience with mission-critical, high-tech commercial, or institutional construction projects.
• Experience building subcontractor and vendor networks and supporting negotiated or design-build pursuits.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.