Estimator

Actalent; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Paid Time Off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Preconstruction Engineer/Estimator for HVAC to support design-to-construction workflows. You will perform detailed takeoffs, load calculations, and prepare HVAC layouts, collaborating with project managers, engineers, and field teams in Aurora, IL.

The role emphasizes accurate quantity takeoffs, equipment submittal reviews, and constructability reviews, with on-site collaboration five days a week in a mid-sized team environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years HVAC industry experience, preferably in preconstruction/design/project engineering roles.
• Ability to read HVAC drawings and contract documents and stamp drawings as a PE.
• Experience developing accurate quantity takeoffs and supporting project estimation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Read HVAC and mechanical drawings, specifications, and documents to understand scope.
• Perform ductwork, equipment, and material takeoffs for estimates and planning.
• Develop quantity takeoffs and assist with project estimating and procurement.
• Conduct HVAC load calculations to ensure proper sizing and performance.
• Review equipment submittals, shop drawings, and technical docs for compliance.
• Create/modify HVAC layouts and drawings using AutoCAD.
• Prepare and review shop drawings for constructability and adherence to specs.
• Coordinate with PMs, engineers, estimators, and field teams to support execution.
• Support projects across multifamily, senior living, commercial, educational, and retail sectors.
• Assist with project coordination to meet schedules and milestones.
• Collaborate to resolve design/constructability issues; contribute to process improvements.

Skills

HVAC takeoffs

HVAC load calculations

Reading blueprints and specs

Coordination with PMs/engineers/field

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) certification

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Title: Preconstruction Engineer/Estimator - HVAC

Job Description

This role focuses on supporting HVAC and mechanical construction projects through detailed preconstruction engineering, including takeoffs, load calculations, drawing preparation, and coordination across multidisciplinary teams. The Preconstruction Engineer reads and interprets construction documents, develops accurate quantities and estimates, and ensures HVAC system designs meet project specifications and performance requirements. The position plays a key role in bridging design and construction by supporting project managers, engineers, and field teams from early design through project completion.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret HVAC and mechanical construction blueprints, specifications, and contract documents to understand project scope and requirements.
• Perform ductwork, equipment, and material takeoffs to support project design, estimating, and construction planning.
• Develop accurate quantity takeoffs and assist with project estimating and material procurement activities.
• Conduct HVAC load calculations to support proper system sizing and ensure designs meet performance and comfort requirements.
• Review and process equipment submittals, shop drawings, and technical documentation to verify compliance with project specifications and standards.
• Create and modify HVAC layouts, drawings, and project documents using AutoCAD to support design and construction needs.
• Prepare and review shop drawings to confirm constructability and adherence to project requirements.
• Coordinate closely with project managers, engineers, and field teams to support successful project execution from design through construction.
• Support multifamily, senior living, commercial, educational, and retail construction projects with preconstruction engineering expertise.
• Assist with project coordination to ensure schedules, milestones, and project requirements are met throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve design and constructability issues before and during construction.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of preconstruction processes, documentation standards, and coordination practices.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience within the HVAC industry, preferably in preconstruction, design, or project engineering roles.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret HVAC and mechanical construction drawings, blueprints, specifications, and contract documents.
• Proficiency in performing ductwork, equipment, and material takeoffs for HVAC systems.
• Experience developing accurate quantity takeoffs and supporting project estimation efforts.
• Hands-on experience conducting HVAC load calculations and supporting system sizing and design.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for creating and modifying HVAC layouts and construction drawings.
• Experience reviewing and processing submittals, shop drawings, and technical documentation for compliance with project specifications.
• Strong understanding of HVAC systems, components, and design principles.
• Certified Professional Engineer (PE) with the ability to stamp drawings.
• Strong technical aptitude and comfort with digital tools, including email, Microsoft Excel, and cloud-based file storage platforms such as Dropbox.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with project managers, engineers, estimators, and field personnel.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, drawings, and calculations.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for collaborating with internal teams and external partners.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) certification, with the ability to review and stamp HVAC-related drawings.
• Experience as a preconstruction engineer, preconstruction manager, project engineer, or estimator in the HVAC or mechanical construction industry.
• Background in supporting multifamily, senior living, commercial, educational, and retail construction projects.
• Experience working in a preconstruction or estimation environment, including material procurement support.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with engineers, project managers, and field staff.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to travel occasionally to job sites to take field measurements and verify existing conditions.
• Tech-savvy mindset with the willingness to adopt and utilize new tools and technologies to improve workflows.

Work Environment

This position is based in an office environment located in Aurora and requires on-site presence five days a week. Typical working hours are generally from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with weekend work only occurring occasionally if project schedules are significantly behind. The role involves occasional travel to job sites in the greater Chicago area to take field measurements and verify conditions. The office operates within a mid-sized organization of approximately 60–100 employees, with a dedicated team that includes a Professional Engineer, CAD specialist, project managers, general management, a business partner, a controller, and estimators. The company maintains a family-oriented atmosphere, values loyalty, and experiences very low turnover, fostering a stable and collaborative culture. Field operations are supported by a fleet of service vehicles, and the environment emphasizes teamwork between office and field staff to deliver high-quality HVAC and mechanical construction projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Aurora, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $57.69/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Aurora,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.