Lead Estimator

Job Description
Lead Estimator

Location: Pittsburgh / Homestead, Pennsylvania
Job Type: Full-Time, Onsite
Key Skills: Commercial Construction Estimating, Preconstruction, Conceptual Budgeting, Hard-Bid Estimating, Bid Management, Cost Analysis, Subcontractor Bid Leveling, Construction Drawings, Quantity Takeoffs, Timberline, Vendor Negotiation, Team Leadership

About the Company

Our client is an established commercial general contractor delivering projects throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region and surrounding markets.

Its portfolio includes retail, restaurants, educational facilities, automotive dealerships, multifamily developments, commercial offices, and ground-up construction.

The company provides preconstruction, estimating, construction management, and field execution services, emphasizing accurate cost planning, competitive bidding, and successful project delivery.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to manage the commercial construction estimating process from initial project evaluation through bid submission and turnover to operations.

This individual will prepare conceptual budgets, detailed cost estimates, competitive bids, and proposals while coordinating subcontractors, vendors, and internal construction teams.

Reporting to the Chief Estimator, the Lead Estimator will oversee an Estimating Coordinator and manage multiple estimates simultaneously.

The ideal candidate has strong commercial general contracting estimating experience and can independently manage the complete bid process rather than focusing exclusively on quantity takeoffs.

Why Join Us?

• Join an established commercial general contractor with a diverse project portfolio.
• Take ownership of estimating and preconstruction activities.
• Work closely with senior construction leadership and project management teams.
• Influence project acquisition, pricing strategy, and profitability.
• Develop leadership skills while supervising estimating support personnel.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial construction estimating from initial evaluation through final bid submission.
• Prepare conceptual budgets based on site visits, preliminary drawings, and project requirements.
• Develop detailed hard-bid estimates, construction budgets, proposals, and preliminary schedules.
• Review architectural drawings, engineering plans, specifications, contracts, and scopes of work.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and cost analysis for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.
• Develop subcontractor and vendor bid lists.
• Ensure complete trade coverage for bid submissions.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Perform bid leveling to identify pricing discrepancies, exclusions, missing scopes, and potential risks.
• Coordinate and participate in pre-bid meetings and site visits.
• Develop estimating strategies to improve bid accuracy and competitiveness.
• Manage approximately four to five estimates simultaneously, depending on project complexity.
• Collaborate with the Chief Estimator and internal preconstruction teams.
• Supervise and provide guidance to the Estimating Coordinator.
• Lead project turnover meetings and communicate budgets, assumptions, and scope details to operations.
• Maintain accurate estimating documentation, historical pricing, and bid records.

Requirements

• 7+ years of commercial construction estimating experience, including full-cycle bid management.
• Proven experience estimating commercial construction projects for a general contractor.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage estimating and bidding from conceptual budgeting through final submission.
• Experience with retail, restaurant, educational, automotive, office, multifamily, or ground-up construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction materials, labor costs, subcontractor scopes, and estimating methodologies.
• Ability to prepare conceptual budgets and detailed hard-bid estimates.
• Experience soliciting, analyzing, and leveling subcontractor and vendor bids.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and cost-management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple estimates and competing deadlines.
• Experience supervising or mentoring estimating personnel preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction estimating software.
• Timberline/Sage estimating experience is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
• Ability to work onsite in the Greater Pittsburgh area.