Estimator

Job Title: Estimator

Job Description

As an Estimator, you will support the full preconstruction and bidding process for commercial, industrial, automotive, electrical, and MEP construction projects. You will assist with detailed quantity takeoffs, pricing, and proposal preparation, while working closely with senior estimators, project managers, and operations teams. This role offers the opportunity to grow your estimating expertise within a stable, well-established construction company that operates both as a general contractor and a specialized subcontractor across multiple trades, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and renewable energy.

Responsibilities

• Assist with detailed quantity takeoffs for labor, materials, and equipment based on construction drawings and specifications.
• Review plans, specifications, and addenda to fully understand project scope and requirements.
• Support senior estimators with bid preparation, including cost breakdowns, pricing analysis, and proposal development.
• Solicit, receive, and review quotes from subcontractors and material suppliers for accuracy, completeness, and competitiveness.
• Compare bids and assist with leveling subcontractor proposals to ensure consistent scope coverage.
• Help identify constructability issues, scope gaps, and potential cost risks during the estimating process.
• Maintain organized bid files, estimates, and historical cost data for future reference and benchmarking.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and internal estimate review sessions to validate assumptions and clarify scope.
• Coordinate with project managers and operations teams during bid handoff to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to execution.
• Collaborate with internal teams across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and renewable energy disciplines to gather input and refine estimates.
• Use estimating and construction software tools to prepare, update, and track estimates and bid information.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating processes, templates, and cost databases.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Science, or a related field, or equivalent construction experience.
• Minimum 5 years of electrical project management and estimating experience when combined with a bachelor’s degree; if a candidate has only 5 years or less of experience, a degree is required.
• For candidates with 10+ years of relevant experience in electrical project management and estimating, a degree is not required.
• Strong interest and experience in construction estimating and preconstruction for industrial, commercial, and automotive projects.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, and specifications for electrical, mechanical, and general construction scopes.
• Solid math, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for quantity takeoffs, cost breakdowns, and pricing analysis.
• Experience with construction estimating software such as Accubid and similar tools.
• Experience with construction management platforms such as Procore or comparable systems.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to interact effectively with internal teams, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Strong organization and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team-oriented, deadline-driven preconstruction environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in construction estimating for commercial construction, industrial construction, and automotive construction projects.
• Background in electrical construction, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and preconstruction services.
• Familiarity with mechanical estimating and coordination of multi-trade scopes.
• Experience using Bluebeam or similar tools for digital takeoffs and plan review.
• Prior or current experience in project management for industrial, commercial, and automotive construction projects.
• Comfort working with budgeting, cost forecasting, and value engineering concepts.
• Ability to identify constructability issues and scope gaps during preconstruction and communicate them clearly to the team.
• Demonstrated initiative, reliability, and a desire to build a long-term career in construction estimating and project delivery.

Work Environment

You will work in a professional construction environment that combines the stability of an established company with the feel of a close-knit, small business. The organization provides a full range of construction services, including design/build, installation, training, and maintenance across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and renewable energy trades. You will collaborate regularly with estimators, project managers, and operations teams, using tools such as Microsoft Excel, Accubid, Procore, Bluebeam, and other construction software. The pace is fast and deadline-driven, particularly around bid dates, and you will participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and internal review sessions. The culture emphasizes trust, support, and autonomy—team members have real access to leadership, are not micromanaged, and are encouraged to take initiative and grow into new roles over time. This environment is well-suited for professionals who want to build a long-term career and enjoy their day-to-day work in a collaborative construction setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Nashville, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $57.69/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Nashville,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 23, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

construction estimating, electrical project management, cost breakdown, pricing analysis, quantity takeoff, construction drawings interpretation, blueprint reading, microsoft excel, accubid, procore, bluebeam, construction management platforms, project management, cost forecasting, value engineering, constructability analysis, scope gap identification, stakeholder communication, organization skills, Senior Estimator Pipeline & Estimating & Mechanical Bidding, Cost Engineer, Cost & Schedule & Controls Group Head, Team Lead - Project Management, Construction Controller, Architectural Draftsman, Cost & Schedule Engineer, Interior Designer & BIM modeller, Principal - Value Engineering, Structural Engineer - Commercial Building & Hospitality Project