Mechanical Estimator

Actalent; Virginia (MN); Remote; USD 66,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability benefits

HSA or Health Spending Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent seeks an experienced Mechanical Estimator for a remote role, based in the Richmond area to support site visits. You will develop detailed cost estimates for mechanical, piping, and related disciplines and validate contractor pricing against project documents and market costs.

You will collaborate with engineers and architects, maintain cost data libraries, and contribute to a fast-paced megaproject in the pharmaceutical sector. Strong communication and bid evaluation skills are required.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of estimator experience in mechanical, electrical or piping contracting environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or equivalent.
• Strong background in mechanical estimating including piping systems and construction disciplines.
• Proven ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs from design documents.
• Proficiency in bid evaluation and reconciliation of proposals.
• Familiarity with union and trade construction cost standards.
• Experience with RSMeans and cost databases.

Responsibilities

• Analyze blueprints, specifications, and project documents to prepare detailed mechanical cost estimates.
• Perform accurate quantity takeoffs from design documents for mechanical systems and piping.
• Develop should-cost estimates to validate trade contractor cost submissions.
• Reconcile bid submissions with scope, market conditions and budget.
• Source current pricing data from contractors, suppliers, and cost databases including RSMeans.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and project teams to clarify scope.

Skills

Estimator experience

Engineering degree

Mechanical estimating

Quantity takeoffs

RSMeans

Excel

Cost databases

Bid evaluation

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quantity Surveying/Construction Management

Tools

RSMeans

Microsoft Excel

Cost databases

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Estimator

Job Description

The Mechanical Estimator prepares detailed and accurate cost estimates for mechanical, process piping, and related construction disciplines while providing analytical and business support to senior staff. This role develops budget and market estimates, performs trade reconciliations, and validates contractor pricing using project documentation, industry standards, and current market costs. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-profile greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing megacampus and to build long-term career growth within a dynamic project environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze blueprints, specifications, and other project documents to prepare detailed and comprehensive mechanical cost estimates.
• Perform accurate quantity takeoffs from available design documents for mechanical systems, piping, and related construction scopes.
• Apply a strong understanding of union and trade construction cost standards to ensure realistic and compliant estimates.
• Develop final should cost estimates to validate trade contractor cost submissions and ensure fair and competitive pricing.
• Reconcile trade bid submissions with project scope, market conditions, and project budgets, clearly identifying gaps and overlaps.
• Source accurate and current pricing data from contractors, suppliers, and cost databases, including tools such as RSMeans.
• Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and project teams to clarify project scope and build strong working relationships with A/E firms.
• Support senior staff by identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements in estimating processes and project delivery.
• Maintain organized project documentation and file structures in accordance with company standards to ensure traceability and consistency.
• Support and update the cost data library by capturing and organizing historical cost information and lessons learned.
• Prepare cost reconciliations between multiple estimates and clearly explain cost variances, assumptions, and key drivers.
• Adapt to a fast-paced project environment and respond effectively to scope changes, schedule shifts, and evolving client requirements.
• Conduct site walks as needed to validate field conditions, confirm quantities, and better understand project constraints.
• Participate in bid evaluations, reviewing contractor proposals for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project requirements.
• Provide clear, concise, and professional communication of estimate results and recommendations to internal stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• 510 years of experience as an estimator in manufacturing and/or mechanical, electrical, or process piping contracting environments.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or an equivalent discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Strong background in mechanical estimating, including piping systems and related construction disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience performing detailed quantity takeoffs from design documents.
• Proficiency in bid evaluation, including comparison and reconciliation of trade contractor proposals.
• Familiarity with union and trade construction cost standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel, as well as Microsoft Windows OS and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience using cost databases and tools such as RSMeans for pricing and benchmarking.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop should cost estimates and explain cost variances.
• Effective decision-making abilities in a project-driven, time-sensitive environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present estimate findings clearly to project stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and collaborate with architects, engineers, and project staff.
• Capability to adapt quickly to change and operate in a fast-paced project setting.

Additional Skills & Qualification

• Experience with mechanical estimating for large, complex projects such as industrial, manufacturing, or pharmaceutical facilities.
• background in quantity surveying, with experience in quantity survey methods and practices.
• Exposure to construction and engineering environments, with a well-rounded understanding of construction processes and terminology.
• Familiarity with industry organizations and standards such as MCAA and SMACNA.
• Experience supporting or maintaining a cost data library and historical cost records.
• Coachable mindset with a willingness to learn, adopt best practices, and continuously improve estimating methods.
• Experience working on high-profile or large-scale projects that involve multiple stakeholders and complex coordination.
• Comfort with periodic travel, including quarterly travel to project or corporate locations as required.

Work Environment

The role operates in a collaborative, increasingly team-oriented environment with a strong emphasis on coordination with architects, engineers, and project staff. The position is primarily remote, with the expectation that the estimator is based in the Richmond area to accommodate as-needed trips to the job site. Work is performed using standard office technologies, including Microsoft Windows OS, Microsoft Office Suite (with extensive use of Excel), Adobe Acrobat, and web-based platforms, along with cost databases such as RSMeans. The project involves supporting a high-profile greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing megacampus, offering exposure to major industry players and long-term project continuity. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring flexibility, responsiveness to change, and strong organizational skills. Dress expectations align with professional standards for remote meetings and site visits, with appropriate attire for construction site walks when required.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Goochland, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $57.69/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 12, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.