Solar Estimator — Bid & Proposal Lead

Knobelsdorff Enterprises; Goodhue Township (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

401(k) with company match

Profit sharing

PTO

Job summary

Knobelsdorff Enterprises is seeking a Solar Estimator to evaluate project information, review designs, and craft proposals for photovoltaic installations across the United States. You will solicit vendor quotes, manage RFPs, and maintain pricing databases while coordinating with internal teams.

The position emphasizes developing 1MW to 50+MW solar and storage estimates, reviewing historical data, and ensuring accurate bid packages. Occasional travel and flexible hours may be required.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of prior estimating experience, or a combination of education, estimating, and field experience.
• HCSS Heavy Bid experience (estimating software) Solar experience preferred.
• Background in general estimating, solar, construction management, or project management.
• Ability to work on multiple projects, tight deadlines and under pressure.
• Estimating Software Experience preferred (Heavy Bid, Accubid, B2W).
• Knowledge of scheduling principals and software (MS Project or P6) Preferred.
• Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to travel once a month.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Proactively review bid packages and lead or participate in developing high-quality pricing and proposal.
• Develop or lead the development of comprehensive bid packages for submittal to the client.
• Develop and manage RFPs for various packages and solicit proposals from vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Direct customer interface throughout the bidding and design process.
• Work with internal and external team members to solicit pricing and provide a complete bid package with complete ownership through the entire bidding process.
• Request pricing for bonds, sales tax, insurance, prevailing wage, and other pricing requirements as projects require.
• Review historical project data and lessons learned with construction teams to further refine and increase the accuracy of the pricing model.
• Development of complete and accurate solar and battery storage estimates ranging from 1MW to 50+MW projects.
• Estimate self-perform labor and equipment production costs to be incorporated into the proposal.
• Prepare, and present bid detailed contractual proposals for clarification to the client.
• Understanding of solar project scope, schedule, and cost to build conforming bid.
• Write, modify, and define detailed project scope to communicate to the customer what is included/excluded from the proposal.
• Continually maintain a solar estimating database of pricing and assemblies
• A desire for the continued growth of knowledge and understanding of the solar market.
• Provide technical assistance such as interpretation of drawings, recommending construction methods, specify and order materials, tools and equipment.
• Identify potential project risks and bring them forward for discussion, and mitigation strategies.
• Provide detailed hand-off package and continued project support as needed to Preconstruction and Construction project teams.
• Manage project files, drawings, documents & records in our project system.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Estimating experience

Solar estimating

Bid development

Vendor coordination

Travel readiness

MS Project

Tools

Heavy Bid (HCSS)

Accubid

B2W

Job description

Knobelsdorff Enterprises is seeking a Solar Estimator to evaluate project information, review designs, and craft proposals for photovoltaic installations across the United States. You will solicit vendor quotes, manage RFPs, and maintain pricing databases while coordinating with internal teams.

The position emphasizes developing 1MW to 50+MW solar and storage estimates, reviewing historical data, and ensuring accurate bid packages. Occasional travel and flexible hours may be required.