Electrical Estimator

at Actalent in Edwardsville, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Job Title: Electrical EstimatorJob Description

The Electrical Estimator prepares accurate and detailed cost estimates for commercial, industrial, and heavy industrial construction projects. This role focuses on electrical scopes of work and involves analyzing project plans, specifications, and proposals to determine material, labor, equipment, and time requirements. The Electrical Estimator collaborates closely with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors, supports bid strategy and acceptance goals, and contributes to continuous improvement of estimating practices and project performance.

Responsibilities

+ Review and interpret project documents, including drawings, specifications, and proposals, to clearly identify project requirements and electrical scopes of work.

+ Prepare detailed and comprehensive cost estimates by analyzing plans and specifications and determining labor, material, equipment, and time requirements for electrical construction.

+ Bid on 2 to 4 projects per week and actively support achieving a bid acceptance rate of approximately 40%.

+ Develop and maintain strong working relationships with project managers, superintendents, subcontractors, estimators, and other stakeholders to support accurate pricing and successful project delivery.

+ Maintain open and frequent communication with project managers, other estimators, foremen, general foremen, superintendents, subcontractors, accounting team members, vendors, owners, and clients to ensure alignment and clarity on project requirements.

+ Obtain and evaluate bids from vendors and subcontractors by specifying required materials, identifying qualified subcontractors, and negotiating pricing and terms.

+ Evaluate offers to purchase and proposals by considering changes, additions, site conditions, and other project-specific requirements to ensure cost accuracy and risk awareness.

+ Assemble, present, and clearly explain prepared estimates using both numerical and descriptive information so stakeholders understand assumptions, inclusions, and exclusions.

+ Maintain and update the cost database by entering, organizing, and backing up data to support accurate future estimates and market trend analysis.

+ Conduct gap analysis at project closeout by comparing actual costs, profits, and timelines to anticipated values; identify variances and root causes and make recommendations for future bids.

+ Communicate lessons learned and improvement opportunities to appropriate team members to prevent recurring issues and enhance scheduling, quality, efficiency, communication, and procedures.

+ Contribute to overall team success by supporting related tasks and responsibilities as needed and by collaborating effectively across departments.

+ Cross-train in all facets of the commercial and industrial division to be able to provide coverage for team members when needed and to expand responsibilities and scope over time.

+ Participate in extensive local travel to project sites for assessments, meetings, and coordination, and occasional travel for training, conferences, and vendor or client meetings.

+ Ensure that estimating work adheres to company standards, industry best practices, and relevant codes and regulations for electrical systems and construction.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the employer.

+ Several years of construction or electrical contracting experience, with proven experience as an estimator on commercial and industrial projects.

+ Strong understanding of construction processes, electrical systems, materials, and current market trends relevant to commercial, industrial, and heavy industrial projects.

+ Proficiency in estimating software, such as Accubid and other electrical estimating tools, and familiarity with MEP and preconstruction estimating workflows.

+ Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite for data analysis, documentation, and presentation of estimates.

+ Ability to read and interpret blueprints, electrical circuits, and detailed construction drawings and specifications.

+ Excellent analytical and quantitative skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy in cost calculations.

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present estimates and explain assumptions to diverse stakeholders.

+ Effective negotiation skills for working with vendors and subcontractors to secure competitive pricing and favorable terms.

+ Ability to perform gap analysis and interpret project performance data to improve future estimating and bidding strategies.

+ Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple bids and deadlines each week.

+ Willingness and ability to meet any pre-employment screening requirements, which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment and education verifications, background screening, and skills assessments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience with commercial electrical construction and heavy industrial electrical estimation.

+ Hands-on knowledge of electrical estimating practices, including electrical systems, circuits, and associated materials.

+ Familiarity with Accubid and other specialized electrical estimating software and tools.

+ Exposure to AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design and modeling tools used in preconstruction and estimating.

+ Understanding of MEP coordination and how electrical scopes integrate with mechanical and plumbing systems.

+ background in electrical engineering or electrical systems design is highly beneficial.

+ Ability to build and maintain long-term professional relationships with project managers, superintendents, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

+ Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, including participation in training and conferences.

+ Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate cost databases and documentation.

+ Interest in cross-training across commercial and industrial divisions to expand responsibilities over time.

+ Ability to adapt to varying project types, site conditions, and industry-specific requirements.

Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based and involves extensive desk work and computer use to prepare estimates, analyze data, and communicate with project stakeholders. The Electrical Estimator works with estimating software such as Accubid, other electrical estimating tools, and the Microsoft Office Suite, and may use design platforms like AutoCAD and Revit in support of preconstruction activities. The position requires frequent local travel to construction and project sites for assessments, meetings, and coordination, as well as occasional travel for training, conferences, and vendor or client visits. Site visits may involve walking, standing, and minor lifting, and the physical demands can vary depending on the industry segment and specific project conditions. The work environment encourages collaboration with project managers, superintendents, foremen, general foremen, subcontractors, accounting teams, vendors, owners, and clients. Team members benefit from comprehensive company-paid health insurance (including medical, vision, dental, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance), a 401(k) plan with a 100% match up to a set percentage of salary, paid personal and sick leave, paid vacation, paid parental leave, educational assistance, and various discount programs, supporting both professional growth and overall well-being.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Edwardsville, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 – $70.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depe