Lead Estimator - Air Side HVAC Equipment

Rosso Recruiting; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

Job summary

Rosso Recruiting is seeking a lead estimator for air-side HVAC equipment in St. Louis, MO. You will own the bid board, price projects, and direct three other estimators within an established team and client base.

The role is fully in-office, Monday–Friday, with a strong handoff from the outgoing lead. You will build on current contractor relationships and navigate a steady bidding pace of about 25 bids per week.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years estimating air-side HVAC equipment such as VAV boxes, fan terminals, dampers, louvers, heaters.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates, pricing, and proposals for air-side HVAC equipment on commercial projects.
• Read and interpret plans, specs, and addenda to produce complete quotations.
• Manage the bid board — assign ~25 bids per week across a team of four estimators.

Skills

Air-side HVAC estimating

Team leadership

Bid board management

Reading plans/specs

Communication skills

Education

Engineering technology degree

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

Takeoff software

Job description

Saint Louis, United States | Posted on 08/24/2026

Earth City, MO | Full-time | In-Office

Position Snapshot

Employment Type: Full-time,in-office — Monday through Friday

Location: St Louis, MO

Team: Lead role — directsa team of estimators and manages the bid board

Experience: 3–5+ yearsestimating air-side HVAC equipment

• Full benefits package Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO
• Structured onboarding with training at 3–4 manufacturerfacilities (all travel covered)
• Work with current Established book of contractorbusiness — you're not building from zero
• Hands-on transition period with the outgoing lead — agenuine training handoff, not a thrown-into-the-deep-end situation

About the Role

This is a lead estimator seatopening due to a planned retirement — which means something rare: a real,structured handoff from the person who built the role. You'll have time tolearn the accounts, the rhythm, and the quirks of the bid board before you'rerunning it solo. The customers are established, the contractor relationships arein place, and the team around you is already functioning. You're stepping intosomething that works, with the chance to make it yours.

The work itself is air-side HVACequipment estimating — VAV boxes, fan terminals, fire dampers, louvers, heaters— for an established manufacturer's rep serving the St. Louis metro market.You'll own the bid board, which means pricing your own projects and directingthree other estimators: assigning bids, tracking deadlines, and making surenothing slips. The pace is steady — roughly 25 bids a week across the team —not a sweatshop, but a role that rewards people who stay organized and keepothers accountable.

If you're detail-obsessed aboutspecs and pricing and also comfortable telling your teammates what's on theirplate for the day, this is exactly the role built for you. The position isfully in-office in St Louis, MO, five days a week.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates, pricing, and proposalsfor air-side HVAC equipment on commercial projects
• Read and interpret plans, specifications, and addendato produce complete, accurate quotations
• Manage the bid board — assign approximately 25 bids perweek across a team of four estimators
• Track deadlines and follow up with the estimating teamto ensure on-time submittal of every bid
• Document and organize project files to maintain acomplete, accurate record of all bids and proposals

Customer & TechnicalSupport

• Build and maintain relationships with contractor,engineering, and architectural customers
• Provide technical guidance on product capabilities,system design, and equipment selection
• Prepare submittals, release orders, and track ordersthrough to delivery for customers
• Communicate shipping information, expedite when needed,and manage warranty or damage claims as required
• Address customer questions and concerns quickly andprofessionally
• Direct day-to-day workflow for a team of threeestimators — assigning projects and managing throughput
• Hold the team accountable to deadlines withoutmicromanaging the technical work
• Support onboarding and development of junior estimatorsas needed

Requirements

Required

• 3–5+ years of estimating experience specifically inair-side HVAC equipment — VAV boxes, fan terminals, fire dampers, louvers,heaters, or similar air distribution products
• Background from a manufacturer's rep, mechanicalcontractor, or HVAC distributor — all three are strong fits
• Ability to read and interpret commercial constructionplans, specs, and addenda
• Comfortable directing others and managing deadlinesacross a small team
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated
• Strong written and verbal communication skills withboth technical and non-technical audiences
• Must reside within approximately 30 minutes of St Louis,MO — this is a fully in-office role

Preferred

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in engineeringtechnology, construction management, or a related field
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu or similar takeoffsoftware
• Familiarity with manufacturer pricing programs (note:these are learned on the job — not a screen-out)

This Job Is

• A strong fit for air-side HVAC estimators who are readyto step into a lead role and run a bid board, not just fill one
• Ideal for someone who's detail-obsessed about specs andpricing AND comfortable directing people — both matter equally here
• Open to candidates from manufacturer's reps, mechanicalcontractors, or distributors with the right equipment background
• A genuine leadership opportunity with an establishedteam, established accounts, and a structured transition from the outgoing lead
• Not the right fit for construction, structural, orpiping estimators — this role is specific to air-side equipment and airdistribution products
• Full benefits package Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO ANDMore

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of estimating experience specifically in air-side HVAC equipment — VAV boxes, fan terminals, fire dampers, louvers, heaters, or similar air distribution products
• Background from a manufacturer's rep, mechanical contractor, or HVAC distributor — all three are strong fits
• Ability to read and interpret commercial construction plans, specs, and addenda
• Comfortable directing others and managing deadlines across a small team
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Must reside within approximately 30 minutes of Earth City, MO — this is a fully in-office role
• Full benefits package Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO ANDMore