Estimator – Modular Buildings

Mission Critical Group; Belle Chasse (LA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Critical Group (MCG) is a leading provider of end-to-end power systems and modular infrastructure. We are seeking an Estimator to build comprehensive material and labor cost estimates for client RFQs, ensuring bids balance market competitiveness with margins.

The role drives pre-bid analyses, collaborates with design and procurement teams, and supports project managers through award. The ideal candidate has a engineering/construction background, 4+ years of estimation experience, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of cost estimation experience in heavy industrial manufacturing or construction.
• Advanced data analytics and costing matrix skills in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Material take-offs and cost analysis for structural, metal, insulation and HVAC components.
• Forecast shop labor hours for welding, sheet metal forming, assembly, painting, and electrical integration.
• Source and negotiate pricing from vendors for long-lead components and permits.
• Collaborate with structural/electrical designers on pre-bid manufacturability and cost-saving layouts.
• Identify commercial risks and margins; prepare bid proposals for GM review.

Skills

Cost estimation

Excel/data analytics

Bid development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Cost estimation software

Job description

Mission Critical Group (MCG) an end-to-end power systems and solutions provider that accelerates time-to-power and delivers scalable, resilient infrastructure for mission critical environments. By integrating engineering, manufacturing, modular deployment, and lifecycle services under one platform, we streamline execution and bring complex projects online faster - without compromising performance. With a robust U.S. manufacturing network, MCG supports data centers, power generation, healthcare, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and industrial facilities where uptime is non-negotiable. Mission Critical Group designs, manufactures and provides value-added services for customers requiring critical power solutions. Powering a new electric world for a brighter, more secure future.

Job Description

The Estimator calculates comprehensive material requirements, labor configurations, and external vendor inputs to build structured pricing models for client project opportunities. This role ensures that bids balance market competitiveness with structural viability and healthy profit margin frameworks. The Estimator is accountable for producing precise, market-competitive, and structurally accurate material and labor cost estimates for custom modular PDC buildings. This role ensures all incoming client RFQs (Requests for Quote) are thoroughly analyzed to protect the division’s gross profit margins while establishing the financial baselines that Project Managers and the GM use upon project award.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Material Take-Offs & Cost Analysis: Analyze customer-issued structural specifications, architectural prints, and electrical one-line diagrams to calculate comprehensive material take-offs for structural steel, interior/exterior sheet metal panels, insulation, and HVAC systems.
• Labor & Facility Capacity Forecasting: Collaborate with the Construction Superintendent and trade Foremen to calculate the exact shop labor hours required for structural welding, sheet metal forming, assembly, painting, and electrical integration.
• Supplier & Subcontractor Solicitation: Secure and negotiate competitive pricing from vendors for long-lead specialized components—such as heavy electrical switchgear, MCCs, transformers, and regional shipping permits for oversized yard loads.
• Matrix Engineering Collaboration: Partner directly with the Structural and Electrical Designers during the pre-bid phase to evaluate design-for-manufacturability (DFM) hurdles and identify cost-saving layout alternatives.
• Risk & Margin Mitigation: Identify potential commercial risks, complex custom component lead times, and structural compliance gaps; present final margin calculations and formal bid proposals to the General Manager for executive sign-off.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or equivalent industrial pre-bid calculation tenure.
• 4+ years of cost estimation experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, commercial construction, or multi-trade electrical environments.
• Advanced expertise in utilizing data analytics tools and building complex costing matrices inside Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience calculating values for high-voltage power components, custom metal buildings, or heavy structural assemblies.
• Working knowledge of procurement platforms or cost estimation software systems.

Physical Requirements

• Office-based analytical role involving intensive computer work.
• Occasional visits to active shop zones to audit actual production times against estimated targets.
• Ability to sit and process large technical document files for extended periods.

Success Measures

• Accuracy of bids compared to actual post-project accounting figures, targeting zero margin decay.
• Hit-rate performance metrics on submitted client proposals within targeted division sectors.
• Turn-around efficiency in completing accurate cost estimations on tight client RFQ timelines.

Additional Information

MCG is an equal opportunity employer prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, and any other protected classes stated by applicable federal and state laws. MCG is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities and to act in accordance with regulations and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).