Telecommunications Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

A Smarter Career Choice

The Internet is now the heartbeat of our home, but too often internet service is frustrating and unreliable. IQ Fiber was created to offer 100% fiber-optic fast internet, transparent pricing, and attentive customer service to deliver a Smarter internet experience. As part of the rapidly growing IQ Fiber team, your contributions will directly affect our success. Your work matters here.

We're looking for energetic, collaborative, and customer-focused talent with the ability to proactively move our business forward. In return, you'll find a place where your voice matters. You'll find a team who works hard and has fun. And, if you're like us, you'll know you made a Smarter career choice.

Position Summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Telecommunications Construction Estimator responsible for preparing accurate, competitive cost estimates and bids for telecommunications infrastructure projects, including fiber optic, aerial, and underground construction. This role works closely with sales, project managers, construction coordinators, and field crews to ensure estimates reflect realistic labor, material, and equipment costs while supporting the company's profitability and growth goals.

This is primarily an office-based role with occasional travel to job sites for scope verification, and may require occasional evening or weekend work to meet bid deadlines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review network design and site survey data to develop detailed cost estimates for telecommunications construction projects, including aerial and underground designs.
• Review final designs and create Bills of Materials (BOMs) for materials, labor, and equipment based on engineering drawings and scopes of work.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and vendor quotes to incorporate into bid packages; analyze RFPs/RFQs and prepare complete, compliant, and competitive bid proposals within deadlines.
• Conduct site visits as needed to verify scope, access conditions, and constructability; identify project risks, cost drivers, and value engineering opportunities during the estimating process.
• Maintain and update unit cost databases, historical pricing data, and productivity rates.
• Collaborate with project managers and operations teams to ensure a smooth transition from estimate to project execution.
• Prepare change order estimates for scope adjustments during construction; track project costs to ensure they fall within the approved budget.
• Utilize KMZ, Vetro Software, and GIS/mapping tools to support takeoffs and pricing accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and utility/telecom company standards and permitting requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in construction estimating, preferably within telecommunications, utility, or underground/aerial construction; 5+ years preferred.
• Experience working with telecom carriers, MSOs, FTTH companies, or utility companies preferred.
• Strong understanding of fiber optics or coax telecommunications construction methods and materials.
• Prior field construction or project management experience preferred.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting construction drawings, design software, and engineering plans.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping software and fiber network design tools, including KMZ and Vetro Software preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Smartsheet.
• Solid understanding of labor productivity rates, equipment costs, and material pricing.
• Ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously across multiple markets under tight deadlines with strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal formats with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer; ability to perform occasional site visits requiring walking on uneven terrain, climbing, or working near active construction in outdoor environments.

What Success Looks Like

• Cost estimates and bid proposals are accurate, competitive, and delivered on time, with labor, material, and equipment costs reflecting realistic field conditions and supporting the company's profitability goals.
• Bid packages are complete and compliant, with subcontractor and vendor quotes effectively solicited, evaluated, and incorporated to produce defensible, well-documented proposals.
• Project risks, cost drivers, and value engineering opportunities are consistently identified during the estimating process, enabling proactive decision-making and protecting project margins.
• Cost databases, productivity rates, and historical pricing data are maintained accurately, providing a reliable foundation for current and future estimates.
• Seamless handoffs from estimate to project execution are achieved through strong collaboration with project managers, construction coordinators, and operations teams.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IQ Fiber is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any U.S. employer on a full-time basis. We do not sponsor, transfer, or support employment visa status or work authorization extensions for any position.

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