Job description
Industry: Construction & Trades
Job Category: Engineering
Job Title: Estimating Manager
Priority Status: HIGH PRIORITY / URGENT HIRE
Location: Rochester, NY | Work Arrangement: On-site (Full-Time)
Compensation: $120,000 – $175,000 per year + Annual Performance Bonus
Special Recruitment Notes:
Relocation Assistance: Full relocation assistance is available for qualified non-local candidates.
Role Overview
This is a senior estimating leadership position focused on leading the preconstruction and estimating functions for large-scale mechanical and plumbing construction projects. Based fully on-site in Rochester, NY, you will manage bid strategies, oversee estimating personnel, prepare highly complex project estimates, and collaborate directly with executive leadership, operations, purchasing, and finance teams to ensure successful project pursuits exceeding $25 Million in value.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating Leadership: Lead and manage all estimating department activities, assign workload priorities across staff, and mentor estimators to ensure high-quality deliverables.
Preconstruction & Bidding: Prepare and review detailed mechanical/plumbing estimates from schematic, design-build, and construction documents. Manage both negotiated and hard-bid project pursuits.
Cost Analysis & Procurement: Develop comprehensive quantity takeoffs, labor calculations, and pricing strategies. Prepare subcontractor scopes, solicit vendor pricing, and assist with subcontract awards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Purchasing, Finance, BIM, and Operations teams to transition successful estimates into active project execution and support baseline budgeting efforts.
Required Qualifications
Core Experience Level: 10+ years of dedicated mechanical and plumbing estimating experience.
Project Scale: Proven experience estimating individual projects exceeding $25 Million in construction value.
Sector Expertise: Successful project track record within healthcare, laboratory, industrial, institutional, or data center construction sectors.
Delivery Methods: Strong knowledge of design-build, negotiated, and hard-bid delivery methods.
Operational Fluency: Strong understanding of project cost controls, labor burdens, contracts, bonding, insurance, procurement, and structural construction drawing interpretation.
Preferred Qualifications
Direct experience working for a self-perform mechanical contractor.
Deep technical background in HVAC, plumbing, piping, or multi-discipline MEP construction.
Proficiency with advanced estimating software and BIM-integrated workflows.
Additional Operational Details:
Core Competencies
Technical: Advanced cost analysis, material/labor takeoffs, BIM/estimating software utilization, and contract/bonding compliance.
Professional: Leadership and team development, strategic bid planning, financial acumen, and high-stakes vendor negotiation.
Perks & Benefits
Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) participation
Annual performance-based bonus
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
Paid vacation and holidays
Employer-paid life insurance
Relocation assistance package
Security Clearance Required: No
Visa Candidate Considered: No
Compensation
Base Salary - USD $120,000 to $175,000
Full-time
Benefits - Full
Relocation Assistance Available - No
Commission Compensation - No
Bonus Eligible - No
Overtime Eligible - No
Interview Travel Reimbursed - No
Candidate Details
5+ to 7 years experience
Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
Management Experience Required - No
Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
Willingness to Travel - Occasionally