Service Estimating Team Lead

CFO Trane U.S. Inc.-CFO; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Training opportunities

Job summary

Trane Technologies is seeking a Service Estimating Team Lead in the Upper Midwest region. The role involves directing estimating and quoting execution, developing cost estimates and customer-ready proposals for HVAC service agreements, repairs, retrofits, and controls solutions.

You will review design-build and owner specifications to establish detailed scopes, take detailed equipment take-offs, manage subcontractors, and lead pre-bid strategy. Strong leadership and HVAC experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in engineering, engineering technology or related study preferred, with 3–5 years related experience; or technical certificate with 5 years related experience.
• HVAC construction knowledge is preferred.
• Experience with financial and business acumen and running projects on time and on budget.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with building owners is a plus.
• Willingness to work overtime/weekends as required.
• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 12 months with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Direct Estimating & Quoting execution and lead the estimating team.
• Personally develop cost estimates and proposals for HVAC service agreements, repairs, retrofits, and controls solutions.
• Review design-build and owner specs to establish scopes, preliminary proposals, sketches, and lists.
• Perform detailed take-offs of equipment and materials including configurations and vendor selections.
• Develop scopes for subcontractors and negotiate quotes to optimize project cost structures.
• Lead pre-bid reviews with Account Managers and service leadership on scope, pricing, risk and constructability.
• Identify risks and drive value engineering to protect margins.
• Mentor and coach the estimating team; conduct regular 1-on-1s and performance evaluations.
• Recruit, interview, hire and onboard new estimating team members.

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree or technical certificate

Job description

Trane in the Upper Midwest region is hiring for a Service Estimating Team Lead to join our team.

Where is the work: Monday to Thursday, work onsite with your colleagues. Fridays, choose your work location, balancing what your work requires.

What You Will Do:

• Direct Estimating & Quoting Execution ("The Player")
• Hands-on Estimating & Quoting: Personally develop comprehensive cost estimates and customer-ready proposals for HVAC service agreements, quoted service repairs, retrofit projects, and controls solutions.
• Scope & Proposal Development: Review design-build and owner specifications from Account Managers to establish detailed scopes of work, preliminary proposals, system sketches, and points lists.
• Equipment Take-Off & Pricing: Perform detailed equipment and material take-offs, confirming accuracy of unit configurations, voltages, options, sizing, and vendor selections.
• Subcontractor & Vendor Management: Develop scopes for subcontractors and mechanical/electrical partners; solicit and evaluate competitive quotes and negotiate pricing to optimize project cost structures.
• Pre-Bid Strategy & Sales Alignment: Lead pre-bid review meetings with Account Managers and service leadership to review project scope, pricing strategy, margin targets, risk factors, and constructability.
• Risk Identification & Value Engineering: Proactively identify cost-saving opportunities and potential project risks to ensure competitive advantage and protect project gross margins.
• People Leadership & Coaching ("The Coach")
• Team Supervision & Development: Directly lead, mentor, and coach a team of Service Estimators. Conduct regular 1-on-1 check-ins, establish individual goals, and deliver performance evaluations.
• Technical Mentorship: Act as the primary technical sounding board for the team, helping estimators navigate complex scopes, challenging equipment configurations, and non-standard vendor packages.
• Hiring & Onboarding: Partner with regional leadership to recruit, interview, hire, and onboard new estimating team members, accelerating their time-to-productivity through structured training.
• Team Culture: Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and customer-focused team culture centered on accountability and mutual support.
• Operational Excellence & Workflow Management
• Workload & Pipeline Allocation: Balance team capacity by managing intake, prioritizing high-impact quotes, and distributing estimating requests across the team while balancing your own assigned quote volume.
• Quality Assurance & Standard Work: Implement peer-review processes, standard work templates, and QA checklists to uphold consistency, turnaround speed, and accuracy across all outgoing bids.
• Continuous Improvement: Leverage Lean principles to streamline quoting workflows, modernize estimating tools, and enhance regional bid win rates.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's or Associates degree in engineering, engineering technology or related study preferred with minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ related experience; or technical certificate with five (5) years related experience; or HVAC Technician experience with combination of education and related field experience. Candidates without a 4-year degree are encouraged to apply; we prioritize practical experience, relevant skills, and alignment with our leadership principles.
• Working knowledge of all facets of construction including mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, etc. preferred.
• Experience with financial and business acumen and a history of running projects on time and on budget.
• Proven experience prioritizing tasks in order to meet tight deadlines within a high-paced environment with attention to detail.
• Experience working directly with building owners is a plus.
• Flexibility to work overtime/weekends, as required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license for a minimum of 12 months, with no major or frequent traffic violations included, but not limited to: DUI, Hit & Run, License Suspension, Reckless/Careless Driving or multiple smaller infractions or preventable collisions in the previous 3 years.

Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range: $78,406.66 - $109,479.99

Compensation Type: Salary

Incentive Eligible: Yes

Sales Commission Eligible: No

Thrive at work and at home: Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE! Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance. Paid time off includes up to 15 vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave. 401K match up, educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary by site as well as Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations

Safety Sensitive Role: No

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.

At Trane Technologies, we believe in providing equal access and opportunity for all. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to our candidates and employees who may need assistance with application or recruitment processes due to disability or impairment.

At Trane Technologies, we’re climate innovators with the courage to look at our world’s challenges and see endless opportunities.

We aren’t afraid to make bold commitments that set new standards to enhance the health and well-being of our employees, customers, communities, and the planet we share.

Joining the Trane Technologies team is more than just a job – it’s the beginning of a career full of purpose, impact, and meaningful contributions that challenge what’s possible for a more sustainable future. Together, we know we can change the world.

With an inclusive culture, benefits to support you and your family, limitless opportunities to grow, flexibility to help you balance life’s demands, and more – you’ll be supported to thrive at work and at home.

To request an accommodation, please contact us at: [e-mail]