Chief Estimator (Mechanical)

Applysion; Dublin (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Applysion in Dublin, OH is seeking an experienced, strategic Chief Estimator to lead estimating operations across all project bids, taking full ownership of the estimating process and delivering competitive, highly accurate proposals.

The role focuses on standardizing estimating practices, advancing design-build and energy projects, and using historical cost data to inform smarter business decisions, with HVAC and plumbing expertise highly valued.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on estimating experience focused on commercial/industrial HVAC and/or plumbing systems.
• Advanced proficiency in trade-specific estimating software systems, with proven expertise using QuickPen (Trimble AutoBid).
• Deep technical understanding of mechanical trade operations, HVAC systems, piping, plumbing, building codes, and construction sequencing.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating operations across all project bids and own the estimating process to produce competitive, accurate proposals.
• Standardize estimating practices and drive improvements for design-build and energy projects.
• Lead weekly estimating progress meetings, review bid pipelines, and ensure timely delivery of estimates.
• Oversee transition of awarded contracts to project execution teams and ensure thorough documentation.

Skills

HVAC estimating

Leadership

Bid management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

QuickPen (Trimble AutoBid)

Job description

Position Overview

Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000+ Base Salary + Annual Performance Bonus

Work Authorization: U.S. Citizen (USC) or Green Card (GC) Holder Only

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-driven Chief Estimator to lead our estimating operations in Dublin, OH. In this pivotal leadership role, you will take full ownership of the estimating process across all project bids, driving the development of competitive, highly accurate, and winning proposals.

You will be responsible for standardizing and elevating estimating practices, championing innovative approaches for complex design-build and energy projects, and leveraging historical cost data and past project insights into smarter, forward-looking business decisions. The ideal candidate brings extensive technical expertise in HVAC and plumbing trades, proven leadership capabilities, and a commitment to operational excellence.

• Assign, delegate, and prioritize estimating tasks across the team for each project to maximize efficiency, workload distribution, and accountability.
• Mentor and develop estimating staff, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accuracy, attention to detail, and professional growth.
• Lead weekly estimating progress meetings to drive accountability, review bid pipelines, and ensure all estimates are delivered on schedule.

2. Strategic Bid Management & Executive Collaboration

• Partner directly with the Executive Leadership Team to evaluate potential bid opportunities, assess risk vs. reward, and strategically curate the weekly bid calendar.
• Facilitate and lead executive bid review sessions, presenting bid summaries, margin analyses, and risk evaluations prior to final proposal submission.
• Monitor market trends, labor costs, material price fluctuations, and competitor strategies to refine bidding approaches.

3. Detailed Estimating, Scope Analysis & Risk Mitigation

• Perform comprehensive reviews of project plans, specifications, contract terms, and addenda to ensure total scope coverage.
• Drive the estimation of complex design-build, design-assist, and and energy efficiency projects across mechanical systems.
• Identify, evaluate, and quantify potential project risks, scope gaps, and constructability issues, embedding proactive mitigation strategies and value-engineering options into proposals.

4. Bid Package & Subcontractor Procurement Oversight

• Direct the preparation and distribution of complete bid packages, including detailed instructions to bidders, clear scope clarifications, bid forms, and trade-specific breakdowns.
• Evaluate subcontractor and vendor proposals, performing thorough scope leveling and cost comparisons to ensure complete accuracy.

5. Project Transition & Operational Alignment

• Lead the handover process of awarded contracts from estimating to the project execution/construction management team, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and thorough documentation.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings to align project managers and field staff with original estimate assumptions, labor rates, and productivity expectations.
• Conduct periodic site visits and project reviews post-bid to compare actual project performance against estimated benchmarks, driving continuous improvement in future pricing models.

Qualifications & Position Requirements

Required Experience & Technical Skills

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of dedicated, hands-on estimating experience specifically focused on commercial/industrial HVAC and/or plumbing systems.
• Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency in trade-specific estimating software systems, with proven expertise using QuickPen (Trimble AutoBid).
• Technical Knowledge: Deep technical understanding of mechanical trade operations, HVAC systems, piping, plumbing, building codes, and construction sequencing.

Education & Professional Certifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred (or equivalent combination of field experience and technical training).

Core Competencies & Soft Skills

• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Exceptional capability to identify scope discrepancies, cost variances, and operational risks within complex plan sets.
• Time & Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities, tight deadlines, and high-stakes bid dates without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
• Communication & Negotiation: Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for collaborating with executive leadership, clients, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated track record of building positive cross-departmental relationships across operations, executive teams, and field leaders.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Primary work is conducted in a standard office setting located in Dublin, OH.
• Periodic travel to active job sites, client meetings, and project walkthroughs within the region required..