Sr. Estimator

Senior Estimator / Project Manager

Founded in 1973, our client is a premier, third-generation family-owned industrial and commercial mechanical contracting firm with over 50 years of proven operational excellence across the Southeast. From specialized healthcare facilities and water treatment infrastructure to complex industrial manufacturing and aerospace test stands, they have built a stellar reputation as trusted "Fixers and Doers" who take absolute pride in their craftsmanship.

Now under third-generation leadership, the business is modernizing systems, modernizing workflows, and scaling operations.

This hybrid Senior Estimator / Project Manager role is designed as a direct launchpad to transition into a VP of Operations—with executive leadership and potential ownership equity—as operational capacity scales beneath this position.

What You'll Do

You will maintain "cradle-to-grave" project ownership—driving business growth through estimating and bidding commercial mechanical and plumbing projects while ensuring winning bids translate into smooth, high-margin field execution.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Pipeline Growth (~40–50%):

• Actively solicit, monitor, and evaluate commercial mechanical and plumbing bid opportunities daily.
• Build precise digital quantity takeoffs, perform job-costing analyses, and deliver structured estimates for projects typically ranging from $100k to $500k+.
• Expand bid volume to establish a consistent, multi-month project pipeline.

Operational Execution & Field Management:

• Conduct pre-job, ongoing, and post-job site walks to verify quality control, assess timeline progress, and refine estimating metrics against actual performance.
• Direct field crews (W-2 employees, specialized road hands, and subcontractors), ensuring adherence to strict safety standards, project deadlines, and gross profit goals.

Relationship Building & Strategic Leadership:

• Proactively network with pre-construction managers, general contractors, owners, and vendors to secure high-value partnerships.
• Modernize digital estimating models, job-costing workbooks, and project management workflows.
• Prepare to delegate hands-on PM/estimating tasks to incoming team members as you step up into full-time operational leadership (VP of Operations).

Qualifications & Requirements

• Industry Experience: 5+ years of dedicated project management or estimating experience strictly within commercial mechanical, HVAC, or plumbing markets.
• Technical Mastery: Proficient in performing digital quantity takeoffs, building estimating models, reading complex mechanical/plumbing drawings, and analyzing job costs.
• Leadership Mindset: An entrepreneurial "builder" who thrives with autonomy, balances short-term execution with long-term vision, and wants to grow alongside ownership.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is preferred; equivalent, hands-on commercial mechanical/plumbing experience is fully acceptable.
• Schedule & Location: Routine yet flexible schedule (M–F, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) based in Birmingham, AL, with day travel across Central Alabama and regional boundaries as needed (AL, TN, MS).
• Standard Agreements: Willingness to sign standard Non-Solicitation and IP Protection agreements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 per year (commensurate with experience).
• Bonus Structure: Performance-based earnings tied directly to bid volume, win rates, and net project profit margins.