Lead Estimator

ICON; Austin, Miami (TX, FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Lead Estimator to develop accurate, data-driven cost models and pricing strategies across a diverse portfolio. The role supports a Design-Build delivery model, handling land development through interior finish-out with ICON’s 3D printing tech.

Based at ICON’s Austin, TX campus or Miami, FL campus, you will lead estimates, budget development, and collaborative cost optimization across residential, commercial, hospitality, education, and MILCON projects.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of estimating or pre-construction experience.
• Experience in design-build or general contractor environments.
• Strong cost modeling, risk management, and value engineering skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed cost estimates, takeoffs, and pricing models for Design-Build projects.
• Develop and maintain project budgets aligned with internal design and 3D printing ops.
• Collaborate with design, build, materials, and operations teams for constructible plans.
• Contribute to pre-construction budget, constructability assessments, and VE efforts.
• Identify cost savings through design options and alternative materials.
• Lead bid processes, evaluate subcontractors, and ensure scope coverage.
• Perform market research and maintain cost databases reflecting regional trends.
• Present estimate summaries and analyses to leadership and clients.

Skills

Cost modeling

Value engineering

Estimating

Analytical thinking

Excel/Sheets

Cross-functional collaboration

Cost controls

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture

Tools

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

OST

RSMeans

Procore

Job description

Austin, Texas, United States; Miami, Florida, United States

ICON is seeking a Lead Estimator to lead the development of accurate, data-driven cost models and pricing strategies across a diverse portfolio of projects. As part of ICON’s Design-Build organization, this role operates within a vertically integrated delivery model where ICON serves as both designer and general contractor, responsible for all construction scopes from land development through interior finish-out. ICON’s Design-Build team executes a wide variety of project types, including residential, commercial, hospitality, education, and military (MILCON) projects, all anchored around ICON’s innovative 3D printing technology, which is revolutionizing the way structures are designed and built. This role is can be based at ICON’s Austin, TX campus or ICON's Miami, FL campus and will report to the Manager of Estimating.

Our ideal candidate is a highly analytical and detail-oriented construction professional with a deep understanding of estimating, scheduling, and cost control fundamentals. This individual must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment that brings together design, material science, operations, and technology teams to redefine how buildings are delivered.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the preparation of detailed cost estimates, quantity takeoffs, and pricing models for a wide range of Design-Build projects, including production residential, custom residential, commercial, hospitality, educational, and other product types.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project budgets that integrate with ICON’s internal design, construction, and 3D printing operations.
• Partner with ICON’s Design Team, Build Operations, Print Operations, Material Supply Chain, and other teams to ensure project designs are both cost-efficient and constructible.
• Contribute throughout the pre-construction phase during the design development process with a focus on budget, constructability, and value engineering and early tradepartner engagement.
• Collaborate with the Building Design & Performance, Material Science, and Technology teams to identify innovative materials, processes, and design optimizations that result in measurable cost savings/value engineering.
• Support Business Development with conceptual and schematic-level estimates for project pursuits, proposals, and pricing strategies.
• Lead bid solicitations/RFP, evaluate subcontractor proposals, perform bid-leveling, and ensure comprehensive scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Conduct market research and maintain updated cost databases and benchmark models to reflect current pricing, escalation, and regional trends.
• Review design documents and specifications for accuracy, coordination, and completeness, providing actionable feedback to design and engineering teams.
• Support the development of project delivery strategies, procurement plans, and subcontractor engagement approaches that align with ICON’s integrated general contracting model.
• Prepare and present detailed estimate summaries, cost analyses, and variance reports to ICON leadership and client stakeholders.
• Serve as a technical resource to fellow estimators, project managers , construction managers and architects, promoting consistency, accuracy, and continuous improvement in ICON’s estimating processes.
• Develop reliable, defensible estimates with limited project documentation by applying industry experience and sound cost assumptions, clearly identifying scope gaps and risk factors.
• Deliver fast-turnaround estimates during early design and feasibility phases, making sound assumptions based on project type, location, and market conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of experience in construction estimating, construction management, purchasing, project engineering or other pre-construction roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Proven track record of estimating projects as part of a general contractor or design-build organization, covering full project scopes from sitework through finish-out.
• Deep understanding of residential and light commercial construction, including both self-perform and subcontracted scopes.
• Expertise in cost modeling, value engineering, and risk management for complex and diverse project types.
• Proficiency with construction estimating software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanSwift, OST, RSMeans, Procore, or similar).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis, reporting, and cost modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines including design, operations, and finance.
• Self-starter who thrives in a collaborative, high-growth environment and is passionate about advancing construction technology.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in design-build delivery where the contractor holds responsibility for both design coordination and construction execution.
• Background in innovative construction technologies such as modular construction, innovative materials, or delivery systems.
• Familiarity with military construction (MILCON) or other government-funded project estimating requirements.
• Experience integrating estimates with BIM tools such as Revit and Navisworks.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical cost data into executive-level insights.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or PMP are a plus.

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.

As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.

This role is based in Austin, TX or Miami, FL.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in ICON’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.