Senior Estimator

RSI; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

RSI is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead cost estimation for commercial solar, BESS, and microgrid projects. You will drive takeoffs, material and labor calculations, and bid packages, collaborating with Sales, Engineering, and Field Operations to ensure competitive and accurate proposals.

The role emphasizes modernization of estimating tools, data, and workflows, with growth toward building an estimating team. Strong Excel and AI-assisted workflows are valued.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of construction estimating experience, solar PV/electrical/civil self-perform preferred.
• Proven track record estimating commercial-scale projects, including bid and negotiated work.
• Strong knowledge of solar PV system components, means and methods (racking, module installation, BESS, microgrid).
• Uses estimating software; comfortable with AI-assisted workflows (Claude).
• Ability to read/interpret civil, electrical, and structural drawings and specs.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of detailed cost estimates for solar PV, BESS, and microgrid projects from budget through final bid submission.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for materials, equipment, and labor across civil, electrical, racking, and module scopes.
• Estimate self-perform scopes and collaborate with field operations for input.
• Work with Sales Executives to support accurate, timely bids.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and vendor quotes; negotiate pricing and scope.

Skills

Estimating processes

Excel skills

Communication skills

Ambiguity tolerance

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Claude AI

Job description

Renewable Solar Inc is a rapidly growing Solar PV Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company, currently managing a portfolio of over 500 PV solar sites, a combination of residential and commercial projects valued in excess of $500M, with a staff of roughly 150 personnel. The Senior Estimator is a new position for RSI, responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and well-documented cost estimates and bids for commercial solar, battery energy storage (BESS), and microgrid projects, along with the associated multi-trade electrical and civil scopes of work RSI self-performs. This individual leads the estimating process from initial takeoff through final proposal, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Engineering, Procurement, and Field Operations to ensure bids reflect true project scope, current market pricing, and RSI's ability to deliver on schedule and within budget. The Senior Estimator is expected to help modernize and continuously refine RSI's estimating tools, unit costs, and historical cost database, and to bring recommendations on estimating software and workflow improvements to leadership. RSI is looking for a dynamic, forward-leaning problem solver who thrives in a fast-growing, evolving environment and takes ownership of building better processes rather than waiting to be told how.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of detailed, accurate cost estimates for commercial solar PV, BESS, and microgrid projects, from conceptual budgetary pricing through final bid submission.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, and site data for materials, equipment, and labor across civil, electrical, racking/mounting, and module scopes of work.
• Estimate multi-trade self-perform scopes, including electrical and civil work, in addition to core solar, BESS, and microgrid systems, relying on Field Operations subject matter experts for civil, electrical, and controls input.
• Work directly with Sales Executives throughout the proposal process to support accurate, complete, and timely cost estimate and proposal submissions.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and vendor quotes; negotiate pricing and scope with suppliers and trade partners.
• Develop and maintain unit pricing, labor productivity rates, and historical cost databases to improve estimating accuracy over time.
• Assemble complete bid packages, including scope narratives, exclusions/clarifications, schedule assumptions, and pricing summaries, for review by the Executive Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with Engineering to evaluate constructability, alternative designs, and value-engineering opportunities that improve project cost competitiveness.
• Partner with Project Management and Field Operations to validate estimating assumptions against actual field performance, closing the loop between bid and build.
• Track industry material and labor cost trends (steel, modules, inverters, racking, copper, conduit, etc.) and adjust estimates and contingencies accordingly.
• Participate in bid strategy meetings, pre-bid site visits, and client walkthroughs as needed.
• Support contract negotiations by providing cost backup, alternates, and change order pricing during project execution.
• Select and use estimating and takeoff software of their own choosing to modernize and streamline RSI's estimating process.
• Help build the foundation for a future estimating team; as the position expands, mentor and oversee additional estimators and standardize estimating templates, checklists, and workflows.
• RSI is a team-first company. It is expected that you will perform reasonable additional duties that support the team and contribute to project success.

3. Qualifications

• 5-10 years of construction estimating experience, with solar PV, electrical, and/or civil self-perform experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record estimating commercial-scale projects, including competitive bid and negotiated work.
• Strong working knowledge of solar PV system components, means and methods, including racking, module installation, BESS, and microgrid integration.
• The Senior Estimator will use estimating and takeoff software of their own choosing; comfort with modern, AI-assisted workflows (RSI currently uses Claude) is a plus, along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to read and interpret civil, electrical, and structural drawings and specifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent bids under deadline pressure.
• Dynamic, forward-leaning problem solver who is comfortable operating with ambiguity, taking initiative, and adapting quickly as RSI's estimating function grows.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.

4. Reporting Relationship

• The Senior Estimator reports directly to the Executive Leadership Team (Dusty, Roland, and Greg).
• This position is non-supervisory at time of hire. RSI anticipates expanding the role into a supervisory capacity, overseeing additional estimating staff, within approximately six months.

5. Evaluation Factors

• The Senior Estimator will be evaluated on the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and competitiveness of estimates, as well as win rate and gross margin performance of awarded projects.
• Timeliness is critical: estimates and proposals must be delivered within the deadlines required by Sales Executives and RSI leadership to support competitive bid submissions.
• The Senior Estimator is expected to understand current and evolving market conditions and ensure RSI's pricing tools and assumptions remain current.

6. Pay Scale/Hours

• $110,000 - $160,000 per year, depending on experience. This is an intentionally wide range to accommodate a variety of experience levels.
• Core hours are Mon-Fri, 7:00 to 3:00, with occasional travel to project sites as required.

7. Conditions of Employment

• Employment with RSI is at-will, meaning either the employee or RSI may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice.
• Other conditions as outlined in the RSI employee handbook.