Estimator

Thompson Pipe Group; Grand Prairie (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits

Life Insurance

Company-Matched 401(k)

Paid Holidays

Training and Professional Development

Employee Discounts

Career Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Thompson Pipe Group is seeking an experienced Estimator to support bidding and proposals for steel and concrete pressure pipe products. The role collaborates with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, and Project Management to develop accurate manufacturing cost estimates, identify risks, and prepare competitive bids for complex infrastructure projects.

A Mechanical or Civil Engineering background is preferred, or substantial hands-on experience in the pressure pipe industry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Or minimum 10 years of estimating/engineering experience in the pressure pipe industry or closely related engineered manufacturing/infrastructure field.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Understanding of manufacturing and fabrication cost drivers.
• Experience developing detailed project or product cost estimates.
• Ability to identify project risks and cost implications in estimates.
• Ability to identify constructability and manufacturability issues during the estimating process.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for steel pipe, concrete pressure pipe, fittings, fabricated components, and special products.
• Review drawings, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements.
• Develop estimates for materials, labor, equipment, outside services, freight, and special project needs.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing to understand design methods and cost impact.
• Identify missing scope, conflicts, and risks before bid submission.
• Evaluate alternate designs and materials for value engineering.
• Maintain current cost data and databases to improve accuracy.
• Work with Sales to align estimating approach with market strategy.
• Coordinate with Operations and Project Management on capacity, scheduling, and contractual issues.
• Assist in improving estimating procedures and standards.

Skills

Reading drawings

Cost estimating

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical mindset

Education

Mechanical or Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Estimator – Pressure Pipe Manufacturing Job Overview

Thompson Pipe Group is seeking an experienced

Thompson Pipe Group is seeking an experienced Estimator to support the bidding and proposal process for our steel and concrete pressure pipe products. This is a technical estimating position working closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, and Project Management. The Estimator is responsible for reviewing plans and specifications, developing accurate manufacturing cost estimates, identifying project risks, and preparing competitive bids for complex infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate has a Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering background or significant hands‑on experience in the pressure pipe or a closely related engineered manufacturing industry. What You'll Do

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for steel pipe, concrete pressure pipe, fittings, fabricated components, and special products.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements.
• Develop estimates for:
  • Materials
  • Manufacturing and fabrication labor
  • Equipment and production requirements
  • Purchased components and outside services
  • Freight and logistics
  • Special project requirements
• Work with Engineering and Manufacturing to understand current design and fabrication methods and their impact on cost.
• Identify missing scope, specification conflicts, unusual requirements, and potential project risks before bid submission.
• Evaluate alternate designs, manufacturing methods, materials, and other value‑engineering opportunities.
• Maintain current material, labor, supplier, and manufacturing cost information.
• Use historical cost and production data to improve estimating accuracy.
• Partner with Sales to understand project and market strategy and develop an appropriate estimating approach.
• Coordinate with Operations and Project Management when manufacturing capacity, scheduling, technical, or contractual issues affect the estimate.
• Assist in improving estimating procedures, tools, cost databases, and estimating standards.
• Prepare accurate estimates from conceptual drawings through final contract documents.

Required Qualifications

Candidates Must Meet One Of The Following Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering;

OR

• Minimum 10 years of estimating, engineering, project management, manufacturing, or other relevant technical experience within the pressure pipe industry or a closely related engineered manufacturing/infrastructure industry.

In Addition, Candidates Should Have

• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Understanding of manufacturing and fabrication cost drivers.
• Experience developing detailed project or product cost estimates.
• Ability to understand material, labor, production, and outside‑service costs.
• Ability to identify project risks and appropriately account for them in an estimate.
• Ability to identify constructability and manufacturability issues during the estimating process.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Sales, Operations, and Project Management.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to estimating accuracy.

Highly Preferred Experience

Direct experience in one or more of the following industries is strongly preferred:

• Steel pressure pipe
• Concrete pressure pipe
• Water transmission systems
• Steel pipe fabrication
• Precast or prestressed concrete
• Structural steel fabrication
• Tanks or pressure vessels
• Heavy civil infrastructure
• Water/wastewater infrastructure
• Engineered-to-order manufacturing
• Other complex fabricated or engineered products

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

A strong Estimator does more than perform quantity takeoffs.

We are looking for someone who can understand how an engineered product will actually be manufactured, recognize cost and project risks before they become problems, question assumptions, and develop an estimate that is accurate, competitive, and commercially sound.

The strongest candidates will be comfortable working directly with engineers, plant personnel, project managers, and sales professionals to determine the best approach to bidding complex projects.

About Thompson Pipe Group

Thompson Pipe Group is a privately held, family‑owned manufacturer and one of North America's largest and most diverse providers of drainage, sanitary, pressure, and trenchless pipe products.

With manufacturing operations across the United States, Thompson Pipe Group supports major water, wastewater, transportation and infrastructure projects throughout North America.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company-Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Training and Professional Development
• Employee Discounts
• Career Growth Opportunities

You Should Be Proficient In

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