Senior Estimator

COMPU DYNAMICS LLC; Chantilly (VA); Remote; USD 138,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Compu Dynamics in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Estimator to own complete modular data center and skid estimates from scope review through best-and-final. You will quantify mechanical, piping, structural steel and electrical scopes, build labor estimates, and manage subcontractor pricing while mentoring junior estimators.

The role emphasizes bid strategy, risk assessment, and post-bid clarifications, with occasional site visits.

Qualifications

• S. in Construction Management, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of estimating in industrial, mechanical or EPC construction.
• Hands-on takeoff and pricing of piping, mechanical equipment and structural steel packages.
• Proven labor estimating for self-performed craft work.
• Experience soliciting and leveling subcontractor and material pricing.
• A record of leading estimating teams on large pursuits ($100M+) and hitting every deadline.
• Strong scope review, risk identification, and clarifications and exclusions writing.
• Post-bid negotiation and change order experience.
• Expert use of a commercial estimating platform (Sage Estimating or equivalent) and Excel.
• Estimating experience on data center, power distribution or modular / prefabricated work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review RFPs, drawings, single-lines and specs to define scope; flag gaps and write RFIs.
• Identify scope, schedule and pricing risks early and bring them to the Chief Estimator before the estimate is built.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for piping, mechanical equipment, structural steel, civil and electrical scope.
• Build shop and field labor estimates by phase, using CDM's labor standards and productivity data.
• Deliver complete, complex estimates that clear preliminary review without rework.
• Build and issue subcontractor bid packages; solicit, level and recommend sub and vendor pricing.
• Make sure every trade is covered at final review, with three bids or a documented exception.
• Write clarifications, exclusions and assumptions that match the scope priced.
• Assemble bid tabs and proposals for management review and customer submittal.
• Revise estimates through post-bid clarifications and support best-and-final negotiations.
• Hand off awarded work to project teams with organized estimate records, and price change orders.
• Track estimate-to-actual variance on awarded work and feed the results back into CDM's labor standards.
• Lead and check the work of other estimators on large pursuits; balance workload against submission deadlines.
• Help build CDM's standard-design estimates and estimating tools.
• Share takeoff, labor and pricing know-how with less experienced estimators.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

Risk identification

Scope review

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related field

Tools

Sage Estimating

Excel

Job description

Chantilly, Virginia, United States

Position Title: Senior Estimator

At Compu Dynamics, we dont just build infrastructurewe create the backbone of the digital future. As North Americas premier technology infrastructure design-build partner, we design, construct, and maintain mission-critical data centers for some of the worlds most innovative companies. With roots in one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the world, our growth is as intentional as our impact.

Summary

The Senior Estimator owns complete estimates for Compu Dynamics Modular's modular data center and skid pursuits, from scope review through best-and-final. This role quantifies mechanical, piping, structural steel and electrical scope, builds labor estimates for shop and field work, and solicits subcontractor and vendor pricing. As CDM grows, the Senior Estimator also leads other estimators on large pursuits and carries the clarifications and exclusions that protect CDM's margin.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Scope Review & Bid Strategy

• Review RFPs, drawings, single-lines and specs to define scope; flag gaps and write RFIs.
• Identify scope, schedule and pricing risks early and bring them to the Chief Estimator before the estimate is built.

Quantity Takeoff & Labor Estimating

• Perform quantity takeoffs for piping, mechanical equipment, structural steel, civil and electrical scope.
• Build shop and field labor estimates by phase, using CDM's labor standards and productivity data.
• Deliver complete, complex estimates that clear preliminary review without rework.

Subcontractor & Vendor Pricing

• Build and issue subcontractor bid packages; solicit, level and recommend sub and vendor pricing.
• Make sure every trade is covered at final review, with three bids or a documented exception.

Proposals, Clarifications & Post-Bid

• Write clarifications, exclusions and assumptions that match the scope priced.
• Assemble bid tabs and proposals for management review and customer submittal.
• Revise estimates through post-bid clarifications and support best-and-final negotiations.
• Hand off awarded work to project teams with organized estimate records, and price change orders.
• Track estimate-to-actual variance on awarded work and feed the results back into CDM's labor standards.

Team Leadership & Estimating Standards

• Lead and check the work of other estimators on large pursuits; balance workload against submission deadlines.
• Help build CDM's standard-design estimates and estimating tools.
• Share takeoff, labor and pricing know-how with less experienced estimators.

Required Qualifications

• S. in Construction Management, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of estimating in industrial, mechanical or EPC construction.
• Hands-on takeoff and pricing of piping, mechanical equipment and structural steel packages.
• Proven labor estimating for self-performed craft work.
• Experience soliciting and leveling subcontractor and material pricing.
• A record of leading estimating teams on large pursuits ($100M+) and hitting every deadline.
• Strong scope review, risk identification, and clarifications and exclusions writing.
• Post-bid negotiation and change order experience.
• Expert use of a commercial estimating platform (Sage Estimating or equivalent) and Excel.
• Estimating experience on data center, power distribution or modular / prefabricated work preferred.
• Familiarity with electrical single-line diagrams and switchgear, UPS and busway scope preferred.
• Experience estimating shop fabrication alongside field installation preferred.
• Background in project services or project controls (schedules, change orders, procurement) preferred.

Success Factors and Company Values

• Professionalism: Delivers organized, defensible estimates that management and customers can rely on.
• Exceeding Expectations: Hits every submission deadline, even when leading multiple estimators on a large pursuit.
• Mutual Respect: Builds strong working relationships with subcontractors, vendors, the shop and project teams.
• Integrity: Prices the scope as it really is, and writes clarifications and exclusions that match it.
• Safety: Accounts for safe means and methods in labor and equipment pricing, and follows all site and shop safety protocols during visits.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This is a remote role, with occasional visits to CDM's fabrication shop and customer project sites. Shop and site visits require following all safety protocols and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Duties occasionally require standing, walking, and lifting up to 20 pounds.

Compu Dynamics Pay Range

$138,000—$186,000 USD

Compu Dynamics offers a comprehensive benefits package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance effective the first of the month following hire, with plans currently offered through Cigna.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan automatic enrollment at 3% on your date of hire; company match up to 4% (with a 7% contribution needed to receive the full match), plus profit-sharing opportunities.

• Employer-Paid Life Insurance coverage equal to 1x your salary.

• Short-Term Disability (STD) fully paid by Compu Dynamics.

• Voluntary Benefits including Long-Term Disability, supplemental life insurance (employee, spouse, children), Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrue up to 160 hours (4 weeks) annually, beginning after 60 days of employment.

• Paid Holidays 7 company-observed holidays plus a floating holiday.

• Birthday Time Off 8 hours of paid time off during your birthday month.

• Paid Parental Leave 8 weeks maternity leave and 2 weeks paternity leave, concurrent with FMLA.

• Volunteer Time Off (VTO) 40 hours annually for community service.

• Boot Reimbursement up to $150 annually, available from your first day.

• Tool Reimbursement $250 annually, available after 60 days.

• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,000 annually for approved educational programs.

Compu Dynamics provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Compu Dynamics complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Compu Dynamics expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Compu Dynamics employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.