Construction Estimator

PTS Advance; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

PTS Advance is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop accurate, competitive estimates for utility and electrical infrastructure projects. This office-based role favors candidates with strong transmission field knowledge who can translate site experience into precise bids.

The position emphasizes reviewing bid documents, performing quantity take-offs, and coordinating with subcontractors to assemble complete proposals. Occasional site visits may occur as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in transmission, utility, electrical, civil, or infrastructure construction or estimating.
• Strong understanding of transmission construction means, methods, materials, equipment, and field operations.
• Candidates with strong transmission field oversight or superintendent experience encouraged to apply.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, technical specifications, project schedules, and bid documents.
• Strong understanding of labor, material, equipment, subcontractor pricing, and project scope.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Bluebeam, and estimating software, or the ability to quickly learn new technology.

Responsibilities

• Review RFPs, RFQs, drawings, specifications, schedules, and other bid documents to determine project scope and requirements.
• Prepare detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor services, and other project costs.
• Perform quantity take-offs using Bluebeam and other digital estimating tools.
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, vendors, and trade partners.
• Develop clear scopes of work and contract information for subcontractor and vendor pricing.
• Validate quotes for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project scope.
• Identify potential cost risks, exclusions, schedule impacts, and constructability concerns.
• Develop bid clarifications, assumptions, and proposal documentation.
• Support conceptual budgeting and preconstruction planning during early project development.
• Develop work breakdown structures and align estimates with appropriate cost codes.
• Incorporate risk analysis and contingency planning into project estimates.
• Maintain historical cost information, benchmarking data, and estimating databases.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and project assessments to gather information necessary for accurate estimates.
• Communicate estimate assumptions, scope requirements, and potential risks to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement teams, and trade partners throughout the estimating process.
• Support forecasting, project cost analysis, and cash flow exercises.
• Assist with the transition from estimating to project management following project award, ensuring scope and cost information is clearly communicated.
• Maintain organized bid documentation, including drawings, specifications, correspondence, pricing, and clarifications.
• Ensure estimates align with client requirements, applicable regulations, and internal estimating standards.
• Manage multiple bids and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Skills

Estimating

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Accubid

Trimble

ConEst

Estimating software

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Estimator to support the development of accurate and competitive estimates for utility and electrical infrastructure projects.

This role is ideal for an experienced estimator or a transmission construction professional with a strong field background, including candidates who have worked in field supervision, project oversight, general foreman, superintendent, or similar roles and are looking to transition into an estimating-focused position.

Candidates should have a strong understanding of transmission construction, construction means and methods, project scope, labor, materials, equipment, and field conditions. While direct estimating experience is preferred, we are open to individuals with strong hands‑on transmission or utility construction experience who can translate their field knowledge into accurate project estimates.

Please note: This is an office-based estimating position. While the role may include occasional site visits, pre-bid meetings, and field assessments, the majority of the position will be performed in an office environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review RFPs, RFQs, drawings, specifications, schedules, and other bid documents to determine project scope and requirements.
• Prepare detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor services, and other project costs.
• Perform quantity take-offs using Bluebeam and other digital estimating tools.
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, vendors, and trade partners.
• Develop clear scopes of work and contract information for subcontractor and vendor pricing.
• Validate quotes for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project scope.
• Identify potential cost risks, exclusions, schedule impacts, and constructability concerns.
• Develop bid clarifications, assumptions, and proposal documentation.
• Support conceptual budgeting and preconstruction planning during early project development.
• Develop work breakdown structures and align estimates with appropriate cost codes.
• Incorporate risk analysis and contingency planning into project estimates.
• Maintain historical cost information, benchmarking data, and estimating databases.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and project assessments to gather information necessary for accurate estimates.
• Communicate estimate assumptions, scope requirements, and potential risks to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement teams, and trade partners throughout the estimating process.
• Support forecasting, project cost analysis, and cash flow exercises.
• Assist with the transition from estimating to project management following project award, ensuring scope and cost information is clearly communicated.
• Maintain organized bid documentation, including drawings, specifications, correspondence, pricing, and clarifications.
• Ensure estimates align with client requirements, applicable regulations, and internal estimating standards.
• Manage multiple bids and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in transmission, utility, electrical, civil, or infrastructure construction or estimating.
• Strong understanding of transmission construction means, methods, materials, equipment, and field operations.
• Candidates with strong transmission field oversight or superintendent experience are encouraged to apply, even if their previous experience has been primarily field-based rather than estimating-focused.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, technical specifications, project schedules, and bid documents.
• Strong understanding of labor, material, equipment, subcontractor pricing, and project scope.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Bluebeam, and estimating software, or the ability to quickly learn new technology.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously and work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Willingness to transition from field-based construction oversight into a primarily office-based estimating role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience estimating transmission or utility construction projects.
• Previous experience as a Transmission Superintendent, General Foreman, Field Supervisor, Project Superintendent, or similar field leadership role.
• Experience working with electric utilities, public works organizations, or government agencies.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure, EPC, industrial, or electrical projects.
• Familiarity with estimating platforms such as Accubid, Trimble, ConEst, or similar.
• Experience with Microsoft Project or other project scheduling tools.
• Familiarity with government contracting requirements or federally funded infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with Department of Energy or similar infrastructure programs.
• Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) certification is a plus.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• OSHA or other relevant construction safety certifications are a plus.

What You Can Expect

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Opportunity to work on major utility and electrical infrastructure projects.
• Exposure to complex transmission and power delivery projects.
• Opportunity for experienced field professionals to transition their construction knowledge into an estimating and preconstruction career path.
• Collaborative environment with strong opportunities for professional growth.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and site walks.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.
• Ability to safely navigate active construction and project sites when required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.