Project Estimator

Craftsmen Industries, Inc.; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career development opportunities

Benefits including medical, dental and

401(k) match

Job summary

Craftsmen Industries in Saint Charles, MO is seeking a Project Estimator to develop accurate, competitive cost estimates for trailers, specialty vehicles, displays, and experiential marketing projects from concept through production.

You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing and Production to evaluate requirements, identify risks, and deliver well-planned estimates that support successful, on-time projects. Some travel required.

Qualifications

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and other technical documentation.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience as a multi-trade estimator or designer with responsibility for detailed project costing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Able to travel and assess job site and assets at remote locations (~3%).
• Must have valid state driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Demonstrate a stable work history with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain a safe work environment by following company policies, OSHA standards and PPE.
• Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates for highly customized, multi-trade projects.
• Analyze project drawings, renderings and specifications to develop practical estimating solutions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Review renderings, take-offs, specifications and proposed operating costs with site condition considerations.
• Prepare detailed estimates for materials, labor, engineering, project management, subcontractors and ROM estimates.
• Organize and prioritize multiple estimates to meet deadlines and maintain accuracy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Business Development, Engineering, Production, PMs, Purchasing and shop personnel to reflect scope and manufacturing requirements.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor/subcontractor quotes and ensure materials meet requirements.
• Document estimating assumptions and methodologies while maintaining standards and databases.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Read engineering drawings

Technical interpretation

Analytical skills

Travel readiness

Valid driver's license

Verbal and written communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Technical degree or equivalent training

Professional certifications

Tools

CAD software

Estimating software

ERP systems

CPQ software

Job description

About Craftsmen Industries

Craftsmen Industries custom manufactures unique specialty trailers and vehicles and large format printed elements for experiential marketing and industrial solutions for brands across the industry spectrum including Boeing, PepsiCo, and Anheuser‑Busch. We pride ourselves on creating our products fully in‑house from initial design and engineering to fabrication and the finishing touches of graphics and paint.

Our Craftsmen team includes one subsidiary, Schantz Manufacturing. Schantz focuses on custom manufacturing of concession trailers for the fair and festival industry.

Guided by our values, we BUILD by helping bring ideas to life in a dynamic and collaborative environment and we're looking for talented individuals to grow with us!

What Do We Offer?

• Competitive compensation.
• Career development opportunities.
• Benefits including but not limited to Medical, Dental and Vision.
• 401(k) Match and Much More!

Position Title: Project Estimator

Location: St. Charles, MO

Position Summary

At Craftsmen Industries, every project is different. As a Project Estimator, you'll help bring one‑of‑a‑kind trailers, specialty vehicles, displays, and experiential marketing projects to life by developing accurate, competitive cost estimates from concept through production.

Working alongside Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production, you'll evaluate project requirements, solve challenges, and build estimates that support successful projects and exceptional customer experiences. If you enjoy turning complex projects into well‑planned solutions and thrive in a collaborative manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Primary Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain a safe work environment by following company safety policies, OSHA standards, and proper use of PPE.
• Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates for highly customized, multi‑trade projects, including trailers, vehicles, displays, and specialty assets.
• Analyze project drawings, renderings, specifications, and operating requirements to develop practical estimating solutions while identifying project risks and cost‑saving opportunities.
• Review renderings, drawing take‑offs, specifications, and proposed project operating costs while considering site conditions.
• Prepare detailed estimates for materials, labor, engineering, project management, subcontractors, and other direct project costs, including Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates.
• Organize and prioritize multiple estimates while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Business Development, Engineering, Production, Project Management, Purchasing, and shop personnel to ensure estimates accurately reflect project scope and manufacturing requirements.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations and verify materials meet applicable customer and regulatory requirements.
• Document estimating assumptions, methodologies, and risk considerations while maintaining estimating standards and cost databases.

Required Skills

• High School Diploma and/or equivalent.
• Technical degree or equivalent experience, training, and professional certifications.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience as a multi‑trade estimator or designer with responsibility for detailed project costing.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and other technical documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products, Outlook, Work and Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to travel and assess job site and assets at remote locations, as needed, is required (~3%).
• Valid state driver's license and a clean driving record.
• Demonstrate safe driving practices while driving company vehicles or when driving your personal vehicle on behalf of the company.
• Must demonstrate a consistent and stable work history, along with strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Technical degree in Construction Management or a related field.
• Experience in mutli‑trade construction, specialty industrial process equipment, mechanical contracting, infrastructure estimation and commercial construction environments are valuable.
• Ability to work with engineering models and drawings as well as CAD software for all trades.
• Knowledge of estimating electrical, electronics and audio‑visual systems.
• Experience with configurator software and tools.
• Experience with ERP systems, CPQ software, or estimating platforms.

Physical Requirement

• Sitting, standing, and walking in office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments.
• Must have the ability to hear and respond to auditory signals, distinguish tones and pitches in equipment, and use hearing protection during specific tasks.
• Ability to climb in and out of trailers, scaffolding and up ladders.
• Ability to bend, lift, and position self to move about the office, as needed.
• Required use of fingers and hands to operate a computer.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close and/or color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Craftsmen Industries (and its subsidiaries) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This means that we consider all applicants for employment and employees eligible for employment without regard to race, marital status or civil union status, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or any other characteristic protected by law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to our applicants and employees with disabilities in order to assist them in the performance of their essential job functions.

To learn more visit www.craftsmenind.com or www.schantzmfg.com.