Solar & BESS Estimator

Pfister Energy, Inc.; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HRA

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Employee Discount

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Pfister Energy, Inc. is seeking a Solar and BESS Estimator with 5+ years EPC experience to join our preconstruction team in Hawthorne, NJ.

You will collaborate with Development, Engineering, and Accounting to prepare budgets, takeoffs, and RFP responses for 0.5–50 MW projects. This role requires meticulous cost estimation, risk review, and coordination across vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams in a fast-paced renewable energy environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Solar and/or BESS EPC environment.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Energy Economics, Energy Systems/Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with subcontract tendering and response evaluation is required.
• Familiarity with electrical design components, energy storage systems, battery enclosures, PCS/inverters, EMS/controls, transformers, switchgear, or engineering is a strong plus.
• Experience with self-perform estimating for solar, BESS, or electrical scopes is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office, with strong Excel skills required and OneNote preferred.
• Experience with Procore and Smartsheet preferred.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong organizational, project management, and data-entry skills.
• Excellent time management, coordination, critical thinking, analytical, and reasoning skills.
• Superior attention to detail with the ability to learn quickly and independently.
• Solid mathematical and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement and ability to think creatively.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal and external sources to determine interconnection requirements and estimate interconnection costs for both BTM and FTM solar and BESS projects.
• Coordinate with Development and Engineering teams to create preliminary design budgets for solar, BESS, and hybrid Development projects.
• Prepare competitive, accurate, and timely cost estimates and schedules for DG scale (0.5 MW–50 MW) C&I rooftop, carport, ground-mount solar, BESS, hybrid solar-plus-storage, and EV charging projects in the Preconstruction phase.
• Review specifications, scope of work, drawings, RFP documents, and equipment/vendor requirements to develop a thorough understanding of solar and BESS project requirements and potential risks.
• Read and interpret solar and BESS construction drawings and perform accurate, timely project takeoffs.
• Manage the full subcontractor and vendor process, including NDA coordination for solar, BESS, and related electrical scopes.
• Collaborate with Engineering to propose value-engineering solutions aligned with current solar, BESS, and electrical industry costs.
• Work with the Accounting team to estimate accurate internal company costs.
• Perform detailed subcontractor and vendor descopes to ensure normalized bids.
• Provide subcontractor recommendations on how to mitigate and price risks associated with a project.
• Deliver complete RFP responses in a timely manner, including proposals, pricing breakdowns, and preliminary schedules.
• Maintain records and database for costs, subcontractors, vendors, and other data.
• Create contract and construction schedules in collaboration with Project Management, Construction, and Engineering teams.

Skills

Estimating

Excel

Procore

Smartsheet

Subcontract Tendering

Project Coordination

Communication

Education

Construction Management degree

Energy Economics/Analytics degree

Tools

Procore

Smartsheet

Job description

Pfister Energy is a nationally recognized renewable energy company helping businesses control rising energy costs through turnkey onsite energy solutions. Since 2005, we’ve developed, designed, financed, and installed more than 900 MW of clean energy systems for commercial and industrial clients. Our expertise includes solar, storage, microgrids, EV charging, O&M, and asset lifecycle services. Known for trusted expertise and efficient execution, we deliver future-ready solutions that strengthen resilience, reduce costs, and support long-term sustainability goals.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a skilled Solar and BESS Estimator with at least 5 years of experience in EPC to join our growing team. Reporting directly to the Director of Preconstruction, this role requires a detail-oriented, results-driven individual with strong initiative and perseverance. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional attention to detail and play a key role in helping us meet the demands of the dynamic and fast-paced solar and energy storage industries as we work together to build the energy of the future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with internal and external sources to determine interconnection requirements and estimate interconnection costs for both BTM and FTM solar and BESS projects.
• Coordinate with Development and Engineering teams to create preliminary design budgets for solar, BESS, and hybrid Development projects.
• Prepare competitive, accurate, and timely cost estimates and schedules for DG scale (0.5 MW–50 MW) C&I rooftop, carport, ground-mount solar, BESS, hybrid solar-plus-storage, and EV charging projects in the Preconstruction phase.
• Review specifications, scope of work, drawings, RFP documents, and equipment/vendor requirements to develop a thorough understanding of solar and BESS project requirements and potential risks.
• Read and interpret solar and BESS construction drawings and perform accurate, timely project takeoffs.
• Manage the full subcontractor and vendor process, including NDA coordination for solar, BESS, and related electrical scopes.
• Collaborate with Engineering to propose value-engineering solutions aligned with current solar, BESS, and electrical industry costs.
• Work with the Accounting team to estimate accurate internal company costs.
• Perform detailed subcontractor and vendor descopes to ensure normalized bids.
• Provide subcontractor recommendations on how to mitigate and price risks associated with a project.
• Deliver complete RFP responses in a timely manner, including proposals, pricing breakdowns, and preliminary schedules.
• Maintain records and database for costs, subcontractors, vendors, and other data.

Pre-Construction

• Create contract and construction schedules in collaboration with Project Management, Construction, and Engineering teams.
• Assist in EPC contract negotiations.
• Manage the pre-qualification process of subcontractors and vendors.
• Assist in the selection, negotiation, and contract execution with subcontractors.
• Coordinate with racking vendors to ensure timely completion of pull testing and with BESS equipment vendors to support timely budgetary pricing, scope alignment, and technical clarifications.
• Set up and manage the submittal process for all subcontractor scopes using Procore.
• Set up and co-lead Preconstruction Page Turn meetings.

Process Improvement

• Lead 'Lessons Learned' meetings at the end of each project; identify project setbacks and develop a rectification plan.
• Continuously analyze actual cost data from active and completed projects to improve future estimates.
• Gather and track feedback from the Construction team on subcontractor performance for future selection processes.
• Identify bottlenecks in processes and implement creative solutions to improve efficiencies.
• Organize learning sessions with subject matter experts to promote continuous learning.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a Solar and/or BESS EPC environment.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Energy Economics, Energy Systems/Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with subcontract tendering and response evaluation required.
• Familiarity with electrical design components, energy storage systems, battery enclosures, PCS/inverters, EMS/controls, transformers, switchgear, or engineering is a strong plus.
• Experience with self-perform estimating for solar, BESS, or electrical scopes is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office, with strong Excel skills required and OneNote preferred.
• Experience with Procore and Smartsheet preferred.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong organizational, project management, and data-entry skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong note-taking and information retention abilities.
• Excellent time management, coordination, critical thinking, analytical, and reasoning skills.
• Superior attention to detail with the ability to learn quickly and independently.
• Solid mathematical and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement and ability to think creatively.
• Curiosity-driven and results-oriented; problem-solving mentality with ability to ask the right questions and find practical answers.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Matching 401(k)
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Life, AD&DD, Accident, Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Discount Program
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

WORK LOCATION

57 Goffle Rd., Hawthorne, NJ — Remote/hybrid flexibility.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employment sponsorship.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.