Back to

Jobs Lead Estimator Emp Type:

Full time / Direct Hire Springfield, MA, US Thursday, Sep 10, 2026

Job Summary:

Lead mechanical estimating for HVAC, piping, plumbing, and related systems, overseeing takeoffs, pricing, subcontractor/vendor quotes, bid strategy, risk review, and estimate-to-operations turnover while mentoring estimating staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to define complete mechanical scope, including HVAC, hydronic/steam, plumbing, process piping, equipment, controls, insulation, TAB, and related work. Develop bid plans, bid calendars, priorities, and internal assignments to ensure all estimates are completed on schedule. Perform and oversee detailed digital quantity takeoffs, ensuring quantities, inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions accurately reflect project requirements. Identify constructability issues, scope gaps, coordination concerns, and field constraints; document clarifications and assumptions for bid day. Solicit and maintain subcontractor and supplier coverage; prepare and issue RFQs with clear scope, alternates, and schedule requirements. Analyze, level, and normalize subcontractor and vendor quotations to confirm scope completeness, compliance, exceptions, and overall value. Develop labor, material, equipment, and subcontract pricing using current market conditions, productivity factors, and historical cost data. Lead estimate reviews and "page turns" to validate quantities, pricing, inclusions, exclusions, and overall bid strategy. Prepare bid forms, scope letters, alternates, unit prices, and proposal narratives clearly communicating mechanical scope and assumptions. Evaluate project risks and opportunities, including schedule, labor availability, logistics, phasing, escalation, and subcontractor exposure, and recommend appropriate contingencies and markups. Collaborate with operations, project management, and engineering teams to develop value engineering options and cost-saving alternatives while maintaining performance and code compliance. Support go/no-go decisions through ROM budgets, workload assessments, and competitive analysis. Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client/GC meetings as required to understand site conditions and project constraints. Support post-bid negotiations, scope reconciliation, contract reviews, and responses to GC/client questions and clarifications. Lead estimating-to-operations turnover by providing the estimate recap, basis of estimate, subcontractor quote tabs, and quantity/labor assumptions to project teams. Provide daily leadership to estimating staff by assigning work, setting priorities, reviewing deliverables, and mentoring team members on mechanical takeoff and pricing best practices. Maintain and improve estimating procedures, assemblies, labor factors, and historical cost databases to improve consistency and accuracy. Maintain organized bid documentation, including drawings, specifications, addenda, estimate files, and supporting documentation, in accordance with company standards. Track bid activity, win/loss performance, margins, scope trends, and market conditions to improve future estimating strategies. Perform other duties as assigned in support of estimating and preconstruction activities. Qualifications 5+ years of mechanical estimating experience in commercial or industrial HVAC, piping, and plumbing, with demonstrated ability to lead estimates and/or mentor other estimators. Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, construction means and methods, applicable codes, and typical subcontractor scopes, including controls, insulation, TAB, rigging, and related trades. Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents and accurately define project scope. Strong proficiency with estimating and digital takeoff software; experience with AutoBid is preferred. Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and time-management skills. Ability to manage multiple estimates, priorities, and bid deadlines simultaneously. Strong vendor, subcontractor, GC, and internal stakeholder communication skills. Valid driver's license with the ability to attend site walks and pre-bid meetings as needed.