Senior Estimator (Houston, TX) - Austin Commercial

Austin Industries, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401K plan

Employee ownership (ESOP)

Job summary

Austin Commercial in Houston, TX is seeking a Senior Estimator to prepare detailed cost estimates for commercial construction projects. You will lead take-offs, develop bid lists, and coordinate with owners, designers, and subcontractors to clarify scope and refine estimates.

The role emphasizes accuracy, data-driven cost analyses, and identifying value engineering opportunities within project budgets. This position is anchored in our ESOP-backed, employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• 5–9 years of estimating experience including bid and negotiated work.
• BS/BA in engineering, construction science, or related field preferred.
• Familiarity with building designs, systems, and construction materials.
• Proficient with estimating and quantity take-off software.
• Outstanding communication and negotiation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepares detailed cost estimates for both bid and negotiated work.
• Develops bid lists and invites subcontractors and suppliers to bid.
• Attends design meetings to understand scope and requirements.
• Identifies cost savings and value engineering opportunities.
• Reviews contracts and RFPs to identify scope and risk.

Skills

Estimating experience

Negotiation abilities

Strong math skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Education

BS/BA in engineering

Construction science background

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Description

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to grow your career at one of the industry’s leading construction firms? Put your expertise and construction scheduling skills to work at Austin Commercial. Austin Commercial is currently seeking a Senior Estimator for our Houston, TX Division. We set the standard for commercial construction and we are looking for talented construction professionals to join us. Austin is 100% employee-owned, so every one of our employee-owners has a stake in our success. As a result, we consistently meet and exceed our customers’ expectations with our commitment to safety, service, and integrity. Join us today. We Own It!

Prepares detailed cost estimates for proposed construction projects involving both competitive bid and negotiated type work.

Responsibilities

• Quantity/Cost Take-Offs
• Develops accurate and concise clarifications and assumptions
• Identifies conflicts/missing data and obtains clarification on plans and specifications from design professionals
• Develops bid lists and invites subcontractors and suppliers to submit bids
• Attends design meetings with owner and architect to understand scope and requirements of project
• Understand the entire project scope and accurately account for missing/upcoming design refinements
• Works with subcontractors, designers, and owners to identify cost savings/value engineering when costs exceed owner's construction budget
• Reads RFPs and contracts to identify scope inclusions, contract terms, and risk
• Obtain and review proposals and quotes by subcontractors or vendors
• Detailed review of all documents including specifications for identification of onerous requirements
• Review and correct the work of other estimators working on the project
• Strengthen relationships with key vendors (subcontractors, suppliers, architects, etc.)

Requirements

• Generally, requires 5 to 9 years of estimating experience, including competitive bid and negotiated work as well as conceptual estimating
• BS/BA in engineering, construction science, architecture, or relevant discipline strongly preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Familiarity with construction materials, means, and methods
• Advanced knowledge in building designs, systems, and construction materials
• Strong math and technology ability with an analytical mindset
• Proficient in relevant estimating and quantity take-off software
• Outstanding communication and negotiation abilities
• Thoroughness and reliability
• Excellent organizational skills

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin Commercial is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

Benefits & Compensation

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plan. We are proud to be a 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)! To learn more about our employee-ownership structure, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/100-employee-owned .

Austin Commercial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf) and Spanish (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRightsSp_10_20.pdf) .

About Austin Commercial

Become an owner of one of North America's most respected and fastest-growing commercial construction firms! Austin Commercial’s employee-owners put our expertise to work in regional and national operations, building iconic projects that set the bar in our industry. Whether world-class airports and aviation facilities, technologically advanced healthcare facilities, cutting-edge educational and research facilities, professional sports stadiums, high-rises, hospitality, and other leading commercial markets, Austin’s industry expertise and ingenuity are second to none. Become an employee-owner today, grow your career, and put your skills to work at Austin Commercial. We Own It!

No Agency Inquiries Please

Austin Industries and all operating divisions (Austin Bridge & Road, Austin Commercial, and Austin Industrial) do not accept unsolicited resumes, candidates’ names, or summaries from staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited resumes, candidates’ names, or summaries submitted to Austin Industries, or any of its employee-owners, become the property of Austin Industries and Austin Industries will not pay a placement fee.

Accessibility Note

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Team at [phone].

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.