Project Estimator

Location: West Des Moines, Iowa

Experience: 2 Yrs

Interview Type: Phone Interview

Employment Type: FULLTIME

Experience Level: Experienced (Non-Manager)

This position works collaboratively with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure that proposals are competitive, profitable, and meet industry standards.

The Project Estimator is a seasoned estimator with past work experience in the renewable energy sector. Responsible for ensuring that bids are timely, accurate, and all encompassing, they understand the bid process and the importance of understanding project scope for accuracy and the impact to profit margin and bid quality.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

General

• Cost Estimation and Analysis: Prepare detailed cost estimates for project components like labor, materials, equipment, and overhead. This involves analyzing project documentation, researching market prices, and evaluating bids from contractors and suppliers.

• Interpret technical drawings (30%, 60%, 90%, IFC CAD Plan Sets) and create reasonable assumptions to create reasonable estimates.

• Project Planning and Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, construction, and other teams, as well as contractors, to understand project scope. Site visits may be necessary to align estimates with site conditions.

• Maintain a database of historical costs.

• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to improving estimating processes and tools and stay updated on industry trends and regulations.

Report

• Reports to the Manager of Engineering, Design and Process.

External Communications

• Establishes and maintains clear lines of communication and fosters relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and other external partners to gather information for accurate project bids.

• Clearly communicates estimates and findings to relevant stakeholders, including management.

• Promptly escalate any issues or concerns identified by external partners or internal teams to leadership.

Internal Communications

• Maintain clear lines of communication within the Design, Engineering and Process team.

• Work cross-functionally with internal departments (Project Management, Accounting, Operations, etc.) to support bid preparation, ensure accurate data in estimating software, link estimates to financial and project systems, and contribute to process improvements and SOP development.

Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like Construction Management or Engineering is typically required or equivalent experience.

• Experience in project estimating, particularly in renewable energy.

• Knowledge of NEC Code, and PV system requirements

• Knowledge about PV modules, inverters, and BOS components across different manufacturers and LV/MV electrical equipment

• Strong analytical, mathematical, communication, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency with estimating software and familiarity with design tools (e.g., Excel, Bluebeam, RSMeans, Accubid, AutoCAD/Helioscope).

• Maintain current and relevant knowledge of industry trends and industry standard software.

• The ability to interpret technical drawings.

Key Skills

Experience in project estimating, particularly in renewable energy.