Estimating Manager

Job Summary

The Mechanical Estimating Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all mechanical estimating activities for facility-based projects, including piping, mechanical, welding, equipment setting, and associated systems. This role ensures estimates are accurate, competitive, complete, and aligned with company standards, execution strategies, and market conditions.

The Mechanical Estimating Manager provides technical leadership, mentorship, and quality control across the estimating team while supporting bid strategy, risk evaluation, and executive decision-making. This position bridges estimating, operations, project controls, supply chain, and business development to ensure estimates support profitable, buildable work and successful project execution.

Primary Job Function

- Lead and manage mechanical estimating efforts for facility projects across all bid phases.

- Oversee the development of accurate, complete mechanical estimates derived from drawings, specifications, and bid documents.

- Assign estimating responsibilities and manage workload distribution across the estimating team.

- Review and approve detailed takeoffs for piping, welding, equipment, valves, structural components, and mechanical systems.

- Ensure labor build-ups are developed using appropriate production rates, crew compositions, historical data, and execution strategies.

- Provide technical oversight to validate constructability, installation methods, and labor assumptions.

- Direct coordination with Supply Chain to solicit, evaluate, and normalize vendor and subcontractor pricing.

- Establish and enforce estimating standards, methodologies, and documentation requirements.

- Lead identification and documentation of risks, assumptions, exclusions, and clarifications.

- Support bid strategy development, value engineering, and alternative construction approaches.

- Participate in pre-bid meetings, job walks, and internal estimate reviews.

- Ensure estimate summaries, cost breakdowns, and pricing packages are accurate and executive ready.

- Support conceptual, budgetary, FEL, and detailed estimates as required.

- Ensure complete estimate logic, quantities, assumptions, and risks are communicated during project handoff.

- Provide Project Controls with validated cost data for job setup, WBS alignment, and cost tracking.

- Manage multiple bids simultaneously and provide status updates to leadership.

- Maintain organized, auditable estimate files and supporting documentation.

- Perform takeoffs and data entry task as required to support workload.

- Leadership & Management Responsibilities: Mentor, coach, and develop senior, junior, and entry-level mechanical estimators.

- Establish performance expectations, accountability, and continuous improvement within the estimating team.

- Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations of estimating personnel.

- Serve as the primary technical authority for mechanical estimating questions and issue resolution.

- Promote consistency, accuracy, and professionalism across all mechanical estimates.

- Lead post-bid and post-job reviews to capture lessons learned and improve estimating accuracy.

Required Technical Skills

- Advanced proficiency in mechanical estimating for piping, welding, equipment installation, and structural components.

- Strong understanding of piping materials, pressure classes, fittings, fabrication, and erection practices.

- Expert-level ability to develop and review detailed labor estimates using crew-based production rates.

- Advanced interpretation of P&IDs, isometrics, mechanical drawings, and scope documents.

- Experience overseeing unit-rate, resource-based, and detailed line-item estimates.

- Proficiency in estimating software (InEight, Navisworks, Bluebeam, or similar).

- Advanced Excel capability (complex formulas, lookups, pivots, cost models).

- Strong knowledge of mechanical construction means and methods, including rigging, hydro-testing, and commissioning.

- Familiarity with ASME, API, and applicable mechanical construction standards.

- Ability to identify constructability risks, productivity impacts, and schedule influences.

- Understanding of indirect costs, equipment rates, consumables, labor burdens, and allowances.

- Experience developing conceptual and budgetary estimates with limited information.

- Knowledge of WBS structures, cost codes, and estimating alignment with project controls.

- Ability to support schedule logic, durations, and manpower planning.

Nice To Have

- JD Edwards experience (cost codes).

- Power BI for estimating KPIs.

- Familiarity with construction scheduling software (Primavera P6 or MS Project).

- Ability to participate in client technical reviews.

- Experience developing manpower loading curves or sequencing plans.

- Field Experience (mechanical/piping/welding experience).

- Experience in Oil, Gas & Midstream industrial estimating and project management.

Experience

- 8+ years of mechanical estimating experience in the Oil & Gas or Midstream industry.

- Demonstrated experience estimating facility, terminal, and industrial projects.

- Prior experience leading or mentoring estimators preferred.

Education / Training

- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field preferred.

- Equivalent field experience or 8–12 years of industry experience accepted.

- Professional certifications (AACEI CEP, PMP, ASPE) preferred.

Competencies

- Leadership: Builds strong estimating teams and drives accountability.

- Technical Authority: Deep mechanical estimating expertise.

- Collaboration: Effective coordination with Operations, BD, Project Controls, and Supply Chain.

- Communication: Clearly communicates cost drivers, risks, and strategy to leadership.

- Judgment: Balances competitiveness with execution risk and margin protection.

Physical Demands

- Regularly required to sit, talk, and hear.

- Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.

- Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crawl.

- Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.

- Requires standard vision abilities for detailed work.

Other Criteria

- Occasional travel required.

- Compliance with all company policies, including Drug & Alcohol policy.

- Ability to work safely and collaboratively.

- Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Strike is an equal opportunity employer.