Chief Estimator

Hi Power Electric; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Vehicle allowance

Company phone

Laptop

Leadership influence

Job summary

Hi Power Electric ... Chief Estimator leads the estimating department, owning bid accuracy, strategy, and team performance for commercial electrical projects. The role couples hands-on estimating with leadership to optimize profitability and competitiveness across preconstruction and operations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in electrical estimating, deep NEC knowledge, and strong negotiation and presentation skills to guide strategic bid decisions and mentor a growing team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial electrical estimating experience.
• 3–5+ years in a senior or lead estimating role with supervisory responsibility.
• Proven track record estimating $4M+ projects with bid-to-win accuracy.
• Expert proficiency with electrical estimating software (Trimble Accubid, McCormick, ConEst IntelliBid, Bluebeam).
• Deep knowledge of NEC, labor productivity factors, and current material market conditions.
• Strong command of plans, specs, addenda, and standard contract forms (AIA, ConsensusDocs).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the estimating team, including hiring, training, workload assignment, and performance management.
• Partner with executive leadership on go/no-go decisions, bid strategy, margin targets, and market positioning.
• Own and continuously improve estimating standards, historical cost databases, labor units, and assembly libraries.
• Lead bid-day activities: final pricing, scope reviews, and proposal assembly under deadline pressure.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and scope review meetings, and interface with operations.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Mentoring

Bid strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Trimble Accubid

McCormick

ConEst IntelliBid

Bluebeam

Job description

Company Overview

Hi Power Electric is a premier electrical contracting firm with a proven reputation for delivering high-quality, timely, and cost-effective solutions across every commercial, residential, and multi-family projects we take on.

Position Summary

We're seeking a Chief Estimator to lead our estimating department and own the accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness of every bid that leaves our office. This is a senior leadership role: you'll manage and mentor the estimating team, set bid strategy alongside executive leadership, and serve as the critical link between preconstruction and operations. The right candidate combines deep hands‑on commercial electrical estimating experience with the judgment to know which jobs to chase — and which to walk away from.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, mentor, and develop the estimating team, including hiring, training, workload assignment, and performance management
• Partner with executive leadership on go/no-go decisions, bid strategy, margin targets, and market positioning
• Own and continuously improve estimating standards, procedures, historical cost databases, labor units, and assembly libraries
• Track win/loss rates and bid performance; conduct post-bid and post-project cost reviews to sharpen labor factors and future accuracy

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Prepare and oversee conceptual, design-development, and hard-bid estimates for commercial electrical projects, including power distribution, lighting and controls, low voltage/systems, fire alarm, and site electrical scopes
• Perform and review quantity takeoffs from plans, specifications, and BIM models
• Review bid documents for scope gaps, risk exposure, constructability issues, and qualification/exclusion needs — including coordination with mechanical, controls, and technology scopes
• Solicit, level, and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotes; negotiate pricing on major buys (switchgear, generators, lighting packages, wire and conduit) and manage long‑lead equipment risk and escalation exposure
• Apply appropriate labor units (NECA or company historical) and productivity factors for project conditions
• Lead bid-day activities: final pricing, scope reviews, and proposal assembly under deadline pressure

Client & Operations Interface

• Build relationships with general contractors, construction managers, owners, and engineers to secure bid invitations and negotiated/design‑assist opportunities
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and scope review meetings
• Lead handoff of awarded projects to project management, ensuring operations understand the estimate basis, buyout targets, labor budget, and risk items
• Support change order pricing and claims analysis on active projects as needed

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial electrical estimating experience
• 3–5+ years in a senior or lead estimating role with supervisory responsibility
• Proven track record estimating commercial electrical projects of $4M+ with strong bid-to-win and estimate-to-actual accuracy
• Expert proficiency with electrical estimating and takeoff software (e.g., Trimble Accubid, McCormick, ConEst IntelliBid, plus Bluebeam)
• Deep knowledge of electrical means and methods, NEC requirements, labor productivity factors, and current material market conditions (copper, gear lead times, escalation)
• Strong command of contract documents: plans, specs, addenda, and standard contract forms (AIA, ConsensusDocs)
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Electrical Engineering, or related field (equivalent field experience considered)
• Field experience as a journeyman electrician, foreman, or superintendent earlier in career; (Master Electrician license a plus)
• Experience with design-build and design-assist delivery methods
• Established relationships with general contractors in the Colorado market
• Professional certifications (e.g., ASPE CPE, LEED AP)

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based bonus tied to [bid volume / win rate / company profitability]
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k) with a company match to a set percentage
• PTO policy
• Vehicle allowance / company vehicle, phone, laptop
• A seat at the leadership table with real influence over the work we pursue