Senior Cost Estimator

Talent Harbor; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with match

ESOP eligibility

Discretionary bonus

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Gable is seeking an Estimator to support the Planning and Cost Engineering (PACE) team. You will develop precise cost estimates for signage, metal fabrication, and digital displays, analyzing drawings to produce BOMs, labor estimates, and vendor costs.

You’ll collaborate across Sales, Engineering, and Operations to protect margins on 4M+ programs, with a strong emphasis on accuracy and speed. The role supports on-site work at HQ in Anne Arundel County, MD, with openness to remote arrangements

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years estimating or cost engineering experience in custom architectural signage, structural metal fabrication, electrical signs, or custom manufacturing.
• Ability to read architectural drawings, shop blueprints, structural specs, site surveys, and bid documents.
• Technical understanding of sign manufacturing processes and field installation dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Detailed cost estimating and takeoffs using Excel templates and Bluebeam.
• Evaluate scope, materials, finishes, electrical, and field installation constraints for margin risk.
• Manage a high volume of bids, meeting RFI/bid deadlines.
• Participate in cross-functional PACE huddles with design, engineering, supply chain, and operations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and vendors for pricing, make-vs-buy decisions, and freight.
• Support sales with design revisions and scope changes, improving margins.
• Conduct post-award variance analysis to refine cost models and labor rates.

Skills

Estimating

BOM/BOL

Reading drawings

Excel proficiency

Bluebeam proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Construction

Tools

Bluebeam

Excel

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Estimator plays a central role within the Planning and Cost Engineering (PACE) team by developing precise, fast-paced, and competitive cost estimates for custom exterior and interior static signage, structural metal fabrications, and digital visual communication projects.

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, this role is responsible for analyzing complex architectural drawings, shop blueprints, and bid specifications to establish comprehensive material takeoffs (BOM), labor projections (BOL), equipment needs, vendor outsourcing, freight, and field installation costs.

This position acts as a crucial link across Sales, Concept Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and field installation teams. Operating in a high-volume environment handling 120–150 estimate requests monthly across the team, the Estimator ensures margin integrity and pricing accuracy on projects ranging from $700 change orders to $4M+ multi-site national programs.

The ideal candidate brings a strong technical grasp of sign manufacturing, a winning attitude toward supporting Sales, and a passion for building a long-term career in cost engineering.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Detailed Cost Estimating & Takeoffs: Review architectural drawings, scope documents, surveys, and bid specs to perform detailed material and labor quantity takeoffs (BOM/BOL) using Excel templates and Bluebeam.


• Scope Risk & Constructability Evaluation: Evaluate fabricated metals (aluminum/steel), plastics, acrylics, specialty finishes, LED illumination, structural components, electrical requirements, and field installation constraints to identify scope gaps and margin risks.


• High-Pace Bid Management: Timely execute accurate estimates across a wide volume of bids (from small change orders to multi-million-dollar national rollout programs) while adhering to strict customer and GC RFI/bid deadlines.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration & PACE Huddles: Active participation in tri-weekly morning PACE huddles (Mon/Wed/Fri) with technical design, engineering, supply chain, and operations to align on project execution strategy before bids go out.


• Vendor & Subcontractor Coordination: Work closely with Supply Chain and external vendors to secure current raw material pricing, evaluate make-versus-buy options, and price specialized field labor, crane/lift rentals, permitting, and freight.


• Sales & Margin Support: Partner positively with Sales Reps and Account Managers to help win work, providing pricing updates for design revisions, value engineering options, and scope changes without being overly rigid.


• Continuous Improvement & Historical Variance: Conduct post-award cost reviews comparing estimated budgets against actual project performance to refine cost models, standard hour databases, and labor rate assumptions.

REQUIREMENTS

• 3–5+ years of hands-on estimating or cost engineering experience within custom architectural signage, structural metal fabrication, electrical signs, or custom manufacturing environments.


• Demonstrated ability to read and accurately interpret architectural drawings, shop blueprints, structural specs, site surveys, and construction bid documents.


• Technical understanding of sign manufacturing processes (routing, welding, forming, painting, wiring, LED illumination) and field installation dynamics (permitting, cranes, electrical hookups, field labor).


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (for model building and templated estimating workflows) and Bluebeam (for scaling drawings).


• Proven track record of managing multiple bid deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.


• High attention to detail, strong math/analytical skills, and high documentation standards.


• Excellent cross-functional communication skills with a collaborative, winning attitude.


• Alignment with Gable’s 5 Core Values.

NICE TO HAVE

• Educational background or degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Industrial) or Construction Management.


• Estimating experience across multi-scope projects combining static signage, digital displays, AV integration, and architectural graphics.


• Experience working in small-to-midsize custom electrical sign manufacturing companies where you wore multiple hats.


• Exposure to value engineering (VE) and make-versus-buy decision-making.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, or Business preferred.


• Equivalent practical experience in sign fabrication estimating will be fully considered.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 — $90,000 (Estimator) | $95,000 — $115,000+ (Senior Estimator).


• Salary Premium: Base salary flexibility is available for stellar, “all-star” senior candidates with deep sign-industry experience, formal engineering backgrounds, or those working on-site at headquarters.


• Bonus: Discretionary annual performance-based bonus.


• Retirement & Equity: 401(k) plan with annual employer match PLUS Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) eligibility.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Environment: Preferred On-Site at Corporate Headquarters in Anne Arundel County, MD. Open to 100% Remote for experienced sign fabrication estimators outside the local commuting area (with quarterly visits to HQ).


• Preferred Remote Geographies: Candidates based in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, or East Coast are preferred, though Mountain/Pacific time zones are open for high-caliber profiles.


• Schedule: Standard working hours are 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM EST.


• Travel: Minimal travel (up to 5%), occasionally attending out-of-state pre-bid site walks or visiting headquarters quarterly if remote.

BENEFITS

• Comprehensive health, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.


• Concierge pharmacy service & Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.


• Mutual of Omaha coverage: Will prep, travel assistance, identity theft protection, EAP, and health advocacy.


• Wellness stipend for gym memberships.


• Short-term and long-term disability + Basic Life & AD&D insurance.


• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks PTO (0–5 years) or 3 weeks PTO (5+ years) + 5 sick days + 7 paid holidays.


• 401(k) with annual employer match & Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).


• Performance-based discretionary bonus program.


• Tuition reimbursement & student loan refinancing options.


• On-site perks: Stocked lunchroom with complimentary coffee/tea.


• Relocation assistance available on a case-by-case basis for eligible out-of-area candidates.