Commercial Solar & Battery Storage Estimator

Sandbar Solar & Electric; Santa Cruz (CA); Hybride; USD 90 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Sandbar Solar & Electric is seeking a Commercial Solar & Battery Storage Estimator to lead preconstruction for commercial renewables. You will develop conceptual and detailed estimates from Helioscope layouts, engineering packages, and customer information, building budgets for labor, materials, equipment, and contingencies.

This role emphasizes creating standardized estimating tools, leveraging historical cost data, and collaborating with Development, Engineering, and Project Management to

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of estimating experience required.
• Experience with a commercial electrical contractor, renewable energy EPC, or design-build firm.
• Experience estimating solar PV, BESS, DG, microgrids, EV charging, or utility-scale renewables.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare conceptual estimates with limited design info.
• Strong understanding of electrical systems, construction methods, and field installation.

Responsabilités

• Lead estimator for all commercial renewable energy projects.
• Develop conceptual and detailed estimates from layouts and engineering packages.
• Prepare complete project budgets including labor, materials, equipment, subs, overhead, contingency, and risk.
• Utilize historical cost data to improve estimate accuracy.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and maintain estimating assemblies and pricing databases.

Connaissances

Estimating experience

Renewable energy

Electrical estimating

Vendor pricing

Bid solicitation

Cost analysis

Outils

Trimble Accubid Enterprise

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

ERP & PM software

Historical cost database

Cost benchmarking

Description du poste

About Us

We are a vertically integrated renewable energy developer and EPC specializing in commercial solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), EV charging infrastructure, and microgrid projects. We deliver turnkey energy solutions—from development and engineering through construction and commissioning with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and long-term customer relationships.

As our portfolio continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Commercial Estimator to lead our estimating efforts and help build the next generation of our preconstruction processes.

This is a highly collaborative role that works directly with our Development, Engineering, Executive, Procurement, and Project Management teams to develop competitive, accurate, and executable project budgets.

Position Summary

The Commercial Solar & Battery Storage Estimator will serve as the company's primary estimator for commercial renewable energy projects. This individual will be responsible for developing conceptual and detailed construction estimates for commercial solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids, EV charging infrastructure, and traditional commercial electrical scopes.

Unlike traditional plan-and-spec estimating, many of our projects begin with only a Helioscope layout, preliminary engineering, or limited customer information. Success in this role requires strong construction knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to leverage historical cost data to produce accurate conceptual estimates.

In addition to project estimating, this individual will play a key role in developing and continuously improving our estimating systems, historical cost database, Accubid assemblies, and preconstruction processes as the company grows. Within the first 6 months, we are expecting this individual will make specific strides in developing our estimating tools.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead estimator for all commercial renewable energy projects.
• Develop conceptual and detailed construction estimates from Helioscope layouts, preliminary engineering packages, one-line diagrams, customer information, and plan-and-spec bid documents.
• Prepare complete project budgets including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, overhead, contingency, and risk analysis.
• Utilize historical job cost data to continuously improve estimate accuracy.
• Perform quantity takeoffs using Accubid and other estimating software.
• Develop and maintain standardized estimating assemblies, labor units, and pricing databases within Trimble Accubid.
• Collaborate with Development and Engineering teams during project pursuit to optimize project design, constructability, and cost.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations for electrical equipment, PV equipment, battery storage systems, civil work, structural work, and specialty subcontractors.
• Obtain competitive pricing for major equipment including switchgear, transformers, switchboards, inverters, battery systems, PV modules, racking systems, EV chargers, and balance-of-system materials.
• Perform value engineering and identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality and project objectives.
• Evaluate project risks including schedule impacts, procurement challenges, utility requirements, site conditions, and market pricing.
• Coordinate closely with utilities regarding electrical service upgrades, interconnection requirements, and constructability considerations.
• Support Project Managers with pricing and documentation for change orders and project modifications.
• Track estimate performance against actual project costs and identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy.
• Help establish, document, and continuously improve company estimating procedures and best practices.
• Work closely with executive leadership to support strategic growth initiatives and improve the scalability of the preconstruction department.

Required Qualifications

• 5-10 years of relevant estimating experience required;
• Experience with a commercial electrical contractor, renewable energy EPC, developer, general contractor, or design-build construction firm.
• Experience estimating commercial solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), distributed generation (DG), microgrids, EV charging, or utility-scale renewable energy projects strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience preparing conceptual estimates with limited design information.
• Strong understanding of commercial electrical systems, construction methods, and field installation practices.
• Experience performing electrical takeoffs and developing labor estimates.
• Experience obtaining vendor pricing and managing subcontractor bid solicitation.
• Familiarity with utility interconnection requirements and coordination with electrical utilities.
• Experience supporting project teams with change order pricing and cost analysis.
• Strong understanding of construction scheduling and how schedule impacts project costs.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Trimble Accubid Enterprise or Classic
• Microsoft Excel (advanced)
• Microsoft Project
• ERP and project management software
• Historical cost database management
• Cost benchmarking and estimate validation

What Will Make You Successful

The ideal candidate is more than an estimator - they are a builder of systems and processes. They enjoy solving difficult estimating challenges, are comfortable making informed assumptions when project information is incomplete, and continuously look for ways to improve estimating accuracy.

They are equally comfortable reviewing construction drawings, discussing procurement strategies with vendors, collaborating with engineers on value engineering, or developing standardized estimating tools that improve efficiency across the organization.

As one of the company’s key preconstruction leaders, this individual will have a direct impact on project success, company profitability, and the continued growth of our renewable energy business.

This position is preferably based full-time in our office to maximize collaboration with Development, Engineering, and Project Management teams. A hybrid schedule may be considered for highly qualified candidates with significant renewable energy estimating experience.

Why Join Us?

• Be the lead estimator for a growing renewable energy developer and EPC.
• Help build and shape the company's estimating department and processes.
• Work on commercial solar, battery storage, microgrids, EV charging, and distributed energy projects.
• Collaborate with experienced executives, engineers, and project managers.
• Make a meaningful impact on the company’s continued growth and success.

Salary Range

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, technical expertise, and overall fit for the role.