Low Voltage Estimator

Motor City Electric; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Motor City Electric Co. is seeking an Estimator to support preconstruction and estimating activities for technology projects, coordinating with the estimating team, and developing accurate and competitive bids to align with project goals and corporate strategy.

The role requires reviewing drawings, performing quantity takeoffs, evaluating labor and material needs, and working with project managers, engineering, field operations, vendors, and business development to ensure profitable execution.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience estimating or installing technology, low‑voltage, telecommunications, and/or integrated systems.
• Demonstrated experience preparing competitive bids for Division 27 and Division 28 technology projects.
• Demonstrated experience in structured cabling (copper/fiber), security, access control, Wi‑Fi, ERRCS, and other low‑voltage and technology systems.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, including Accubid, LiveCount, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficiency working with AE/Consulting firms and reading CSI spec sections, drawings, and bid packages.
• Strong understanding of technology system installation, construction sequencing, labor productivity, and field operations.
• Experience reviewing vendor, manufacturer, and subcontractor quotations and scope requirements.
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to develop complete estimates for assigned technology projects.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and manage assigned estimating workload and bid deadlines.
• Follow departmental standards, estimating procedures, bid strategies, and best practices.
• Evaluate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and resource requirements for assigned projects.
• Support business development efforts by evaluating project opportunities and assisting with decisions on which opportunities to pursue.
• Represent the estimating function in project meetings, pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project pursuit discussions as requested.
• Support continuous process improvement, including software evaluation, workflow enhancements, estimating database updates, and best practice development.

Skills

Building Relationships

Processing Details

Technical Knowledge

Driving Success

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology

Tools

Accubid

LiveCount

Bluebeam

Trimble

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Estimator supports the estimating function for the technology contracting organization by completing preconstruction and estimating activities, coordinating with the estimating team, developing accurate and competitive bids, and ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment across assigned estimating work.
This role is responsible for project bid strategy, detailed technology takeoffs, cost modeling, and estimate development while partnering closely with the Senior Estimator, project management, field operations, engineering, vendors, manufacturers, and business development to support profitable growth and successful project execution.

COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

• Building Relationships – Builds rapport quickly and forms strong connections with a wide range of people. Interacts comfortably in social and professional settings, strengthening relationships both inside and outside the organization.
• Processing Details – Pays close attention to accuracy, quality, and completion of work. Consistently meets deadlines, reviews details carefully, and follows established procedures to ensure reliable outcomes.
• Technical Knowledge – Demonstrates a strong understanding of technology systems, construction documents, estimating practices, and industry standards. Applies technical expertise to develop accurate estimates and support successful project execution.
• Driving Success – Takes initiative to move work forward and pursue new opportunities. Demonstrates ambition, persistence, and a strong focus on achieving goals and delivering meaningful results, even when challenges arise.

• Subsidiary Motor City Electric Technologies

Primary Responsibilities

1. Estimate Preparation & Project Evaluation

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to develop complete estimates for assigned technology projects.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and manage assigned estimating workload and bid deadlines.
• Follow departmental standards, estimating procedures, bid strategies, and best practices.
• Evaluate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and resource requirements for assigned projects.
• Support business development efforts by evaluating project opportunities and assisting with decisions on which opportunities to pursue.
• Represent the estimating function in project meetings, pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project pursuit discussions as requested.
• Support continuous process improvement, including software evaluation, workflow enhancements, estimating database updates, and best practice development.

2. Bid Strategy & Proposal Development

• Evaluate RFQs, RFPs, Invitations to Bid, and project documents for scope, competitiveness, and alignment with company objectives.
• Support bid/no-bid discussions with the Senior Estimator, Project Managers, and company leadership.
• Develop project bid strategies, including pricing structure, labor approach, contingencies, alternates, value engineering options, and risk considerations.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, bid interviews, and customer presentations as requested.

3. Estimate Development & Technical Analysis

• Prepare detailed technology system cost estimates for commercial, industrial, healthcare, mission‑critical, institutional, and other assigned projects.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor scopes.
• Review estimate packages with the Senior Estimator to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project plans and specifications.
• Analyze technology, electrical, mechanical, architectural, and civil drawings to ensure comprehensive scope understanding and coordination.
• Prepare or support conceptual estimates, preliminary budgets, design‑build pricing, and progressive GMP development.
• Conduct project risk reviews, identify assumptions and scope gaps, evaluate constructability, and prepare clarifications and exclusions.

4. Subcontractor, Vendor & Manufacturer Coordination

• Coordinate subcontractor, supplier, vendor, and manufacturer solicitation, pricing evaluation, and scope reviews.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, manufacturers, and subcontractors to obtain competitive and reliable pricing.
• Evaluate quotations for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project specifications and scope requirements.
• Review scope and subcontractor scopes to support a clear, accurate, and effective handoff to Project Managers.

5. Estimating Systems, Data & Cost Management

• Maintain and update estimating databases, including unit pricing, assemblies, labor productivity, and historical cost data.
• Effectively utilize estimating and takeoff software, including Accubid, LiveCount, Bluebeam, Trimble, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Track market trends, technology equipment pricing, procurement concerns, manufacturer lead times, and labor rate changes.
• Maintain project cost history, estimating metrics, vendor information, and lessons‑learned documentation.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Handoff

• Work closely with the Senior Estimator, Project Managers, Engineering, Field Operations, and company leadership to align estimates with execution strategies.
• Participate in pre-job, project turnover, and handoff meetings to ensure clarity on scope, assumptions, pricing, schedule, and risk considerations.
• Provide estimating support for contract negotiations, change order pricing, value engineering, and scope review.
• Support preconstruction and engineering teams during design development, constructability reviews, and early budgeting phases.
• Participate in post-project reviews to identify successes, challenges, cost trends, and opportunities for estimating improvement.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

Required

• 3+ years of experience estimating or installing technology, low‑voltage, telecommunications, and/or integrated systems.
• Demonstrated experience preparing competitive bids for Division 27 and Division 28 technology projects.
• Demonstrated experience in structured cabling (copper/fiber), security, access control, Wi‑Fi, ERRCS, and other low‑voltage and technology systems.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, including Accubid, LiveCount, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficiency working with AE/Consulting firms and reading CSI spec sections, drawings, and bid packages.
• Strong understanding of technology system installation, construction sequencing, labor productivity, and field operations.
• Experience reviewing vendor, manufacturer, and subcontractor quotations and scope requirements.
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred

• Completed a technology, telecommunications, or electrical apprenticeship or possesses equivalent hands‑on field experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience working with structured cabling, fiber optic infrastructure, wireless, access control, video surveillance, audiovisual, paging and sound masking, intercom, area of refuge, DAS, and ERRC systems.
• Experience with design‑build, GMP, conceptual estimating, and value engineering.
• Experience with mission‑critical, data center, healthcare, industrial, institutional, and/or commercial sectors.
• BICSI RCDD is a plus.
• Professional certifications such as RCDD, RTPM, CTS, CPE, or manufacturer certifications are preferred.
• BIM/VDC familiarity and experience with digital takeoff and document review tools.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Motor City Electric Co. complies with all applicable laws requiring equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals in its recruitment, hiring, and employment practices. As part of this policy, MCE will not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, disability, or other factors as proscribed by applicable law. This policy applies to all employment practices including recruiting, hiring, pay rates, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment and termination.