Steel Estimator — Bid Leader (Hybrid, Growth Path)

Steel Designs Inc; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary $60,000–$90,000 per year

Yearly bonus

Full-time, hybrid schedule

Paid time off

Growth path to Lead Estimator

Job summary

Steel Designs, Inc. in Houston, TX is seeking a Steel Estimator to drive bid development for miscellaneous and structural steel on commercial projects.

You will review drawings, perform accurate takeoffs, and turn them into competitive proposals while setting up smooth handoffs to fabrication and installation. The role emphasizes bid ownership, attention to detail, and collaboration with general contractors to protect margins and win right-work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with construction drawings, ideally in steel estimating, detailing, or project management.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and shop drawings; familiarity with AISC standards preferred.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam, Tekla, or similar software and strong Excel skills; experience with Tekla PowerFab preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own SDI's bid process from invitation to submission.
• Review architectural, structural, and shop drawings and project specifications to fully understand scope before any number goes on a bid.
• Perform detailed material takeoffs for stairs, rails, embeds, lintels, canopies, structural framing, and other miscellaneous and structural steel components.
• Build complete cost estimates covering material, fabrication labor, installation, equipment, freight, and markup, and turn them into professional bid proposals.
• Write clear inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and qualifications so every proposal protects SDI's scope and margin.
• Identify and pursue the projects that best match SDI's specialties and shop capacity, and flag the ones not fit before bidding.
• Submit RFIs and resolve scope gaps and drawing conflicts ahead of bid day so proposals go out complete and defensible.
• Build and maintain relationships with general contractors and customers before and after bid day, handling follow-up, revisions, and value engineering to move bids to award.
• Hand off awarded work to SDI's project managers, drafting team, and shop with complete, organized documentation so fabrication and installation start with no surprises.
• Maintain organized bid files and track bid log, win/loss results, and project outcomes.
• Maintain supplier relationships and keep material pricing current so estimates reflect today's market.
• Refine and improve SDI's estimating process, templates, and standards as the company grows.

Skills

Reading drawings

Takeoffs

Excel

Bluebeam

Tekla

Education

3+ years experience with construction drawings

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

Tekla

Tekla PowerFab

Excel

Job description

Steel Designs, Inc. in Houston, TX is seeking a Steel Estimator to drive bid development for miscellaneous and structural steel on commercial projects.

You will review drawings, perform accurate takeoffs, and turn them into competitive proposals while setting up smooth handoffs to fabrication and installation. The role emphasizes bid ownership, attention to detail, and collaboration with general contractors to protect margins and win right-work.