HVAC Estimator

The Blue Collar Recruiter of Marietta; Bartlett (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

Job summary

The Blue Collar Recruiter of Marietta seeks a Senior Estimator to lead full lifecycle HVAC project estimating for commercial, industrial, and institutional work, including service, retrofits, replacements, and design/build projects.

The role combines advanced technical estimating with independent opportunity generation, bid strategy, and negotiation authority, while building market relationships and guiding margins with minimal oversight.

Qualifications

• 6–10+ years HVAC estimating experience for commercial/industrial projects.
• Experience estimating self-perform HVAC projects over $10M.
• Design/build leadership with creative, code-compliant solutions.
• Ability to read/interpret complex construction drawings and specs; lifecycle cost analysis.
• Proficiency with estimating software and takeoff tools.
• Experience with department financials and setting department margins.
• Business development or sales enablement with measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Independently prepare and approve detailed HVAC cost estimates for service, retrofit, replacement, and design/build projects.
• Lead reviews of service requests, site assessments, blueprints, and technician feedback for accurate estimates.
• Own scope/risk/resource decisions after evaluating project drawings and specs.
• Direct vendor and subcontractor sourcing and pricing strategies; negotiate terms for margin targets.
• Maintain accurate records of estimates, job costing, benchmarking, and pricing trends.
• Ensure estimates comply with company standards, client specs, and codes; implement QA/QC processes.
• Identify value engineering opportunities with lifecycle/ROI analysis.
• Identify and secure new projects through networking and market research; maintain pipeline.
• Collaborate with sales to develop market entry strategies and key account growth.
• Build executive-level relationships to expand market presence.

Skills

Mathematical analytics

Risk assessment

Executive communication

Reading mechanical plans

Estimating software proficiency

Takeoff tools

Mentoring

Deadline management

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in HVAC Technology

Construction Management degree

Associate degree (considered with experience)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

The Senior Estimator leads the full estimating lifecycle for commercial, industrial, and institutional HVAC projects, including service, repairs, retrofits, replacements, and large design/build and plan/spec projects.

This role combines advanced technical estimating with independent opportunity generation, bid strategy, and negotiation authority. The Senior Estimator builds market relationships, sets pricing strategy, evaluates risk, and provides technical guidance to sales and operations, delivering value driven solutions and measurable margin improvement.

This individual requires minimal oversight, is a self starter, and can manage multiple large bid opportunities across the geography. Must have strong recent experience in this role for a large HVAC project based business.

Responsibilities

• Independently prepare and approve detailed cost estimates for HVAC service work, repairs, retrofits, replacements, and design/build projects.
• Lead comprehensive reviews of service requests, site assessments, blueprints, technical documents, and technician feedback to develop highly accurate labor and material estimates.
• Own analysis of project specifications and drawings, attend and lead pre-bid meetings to determine scope, risk profile, and required resources.
• Direct vendor and subcontractor sourcing and pricing strategies, negotiate terms to ensure cost effective and timely delivery aligned with margin targets.
• Establish and maintain accurate records of estimates, job costing data, benchmarking, and pricing trends to inform future quotations and strategy.
• Ensure all estimates comply with company standards, client specifications, and applicable codes, implement estimating QA/QC processes.
• Identify and champion value engineering opportunities, present cost saving alternatives with lifecycle and ROI analysis.
• Proactively identify, qualify, and secure new project opportunities through networking, client outreach, and market research, owning a personal pipeline and conversion targets.
• Collaborate with sales leadership to develop market entry strategies, pursuit plans, and key account growth roadmaps.
• Build and sustain executive level relationships with clients, general contractors, and industry partners to expand market presence.
• Lead bid strategy and presentation efforts, make recommendations on go or no go decisions based on risk, capacity, and margin objectives.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Technology, Construction Management, or a related field. An Associate degree will be considered with exceptional experience.
• Experience: 6 to 10 or more years of HVAC estimating experience for commercial and industrial projects, with proven experience estimating self perform HVAC projects in excess of $10M. Proven design/build leadership with the ability to develop creative, code compliant solutions and alternatives. Advanced understanding of commercial HVAC systems, components, controls, and service operations, including lifecycle cost analysis and the ability to provide budgeting proposals on large HVAC projects with limited drawings. Advanced ability to read and interpret complex construction documents and engineering specifications. Strong working knowledge of standard MS Office and industry specific estimating, takeoff, and project management software. Demonstrated experience with department financials, recovery of indirect costs, and setting estimating department margins. Business development or sales enablement experience with measurable outcomes.
• Certificates, licenses, registrations: None required.

Skill requirements

• Exceptional mathematical, analytical, and risk assessment skills with strong attention to detail.
• Executive level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting mechanical plans, specifications, and work orders, fluency with estimating software and takeoff tools.
• Expertise in value engineering, cost saving strategies, and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Ability to mentor junior estimators and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple complex estimates and deadlines independently.
• High professional integrity, accountability, and commitment to technical excellence.

Work environment

Work environment: professional office environment, with the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods.