Commercial HVAC Estimator

A bit about us:

A well-established, 50+ year old HVAC mechanical contractor based in the Metro Detroit area, providing residential and commercial heating and cooling solutions across Southeast Michigan. The company is part of a growing, private equity-backed platform of mechanical and electrical service companies expanding across the Midwest, combining the trust of a local, founder-rooted business with the resources and growth trajectory of a scaling regional platform.

Why join us?

• Commission on gross margin with real, uncapped upside - strong producers can double their base
• Backed by a multi-state platform actively investing in growth, systems, and talent
• Autonomy to build client relationships and shape how you win business
• Flexible compensation structure built around what matters to you - higher base or higher commission ceiling
• A tenured, technical team that's hungry for a strong peer, not a competitor
• Direct access to senior leadership - fast decisions and real support, no red tape

Job Details

This company is hiring a Commercial Project Developer (Estimator) to help rebuild and grow its commercial HVAC backlog. You'll own the full lifecycle on your projects - from finding and qualifying the opportunity, to building the estimate and technical solution, to closing the deal and handing off a scope the field team can execute against. You'll work alongside an experienced Commercial Project Developer (Estimator) and a sales lead, reporting to the General Manager, with the company's Chief Commercial Officer directly involved in your onboarding and ongoing coaching.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with general contractors, property owners, and other referral sources to generate a steady flow of commercial HVAC project opportunities
• Qualify incoming bid opportunities and proactively pursue new ones, particularly where existing relationships or overflow leads can be converted into work
• Walk job sites and review plans/specs to scope commercial HVAC projects accurately, including mechanical takeoffs for equipment, ductwork, piping, and controls
• Build competitive, profitable estimates and proposals, balancing price to win against margin targets
• Present and negotiate proposals directly with GCs and owners, adjusting scope or approach as needed to close the deal
• For design-build opportunities, help shape the solution from concept through proposal, coordinating with internal team members on technical approach
• Hand off won projects cleanly to the project management/field team, with a scope, budget, and expectations that set the job up to be executed profitably
• Track and manage a personal pipeline of active bids and opportunities, and report on pipeline health, win rates, and backlog contribution
• Partner with the other Commercial Project Developer and the owner-direct sales lead to make sure the team isn't chasing the same opportunities or leaving gaps in coverage
• Stay current on local commercial construction activity, competitor pricing, and market trends that affect estimating assumptions

What Success Looks Like

• First 30-60 days: ramped up on the company's systems, pricing standards, and current bid list; shadowing site walks and proposal reviews with the GM and/or the current Commercial Project Developer
• First 90 days: independently scoping and estimating projects, with your first wins on the board and active relationships with at least a handful of GCs or owners
• 6-12 months: consistently contributing meaningful, profitable backlog - top performers in this seat produce roughly $3-5.5 million a year in won commercial HVAC work at around 31-32% gross margin
• Ongoing: known internally as someone who brings in business, not just prices what's handed to them - building your own relationships and pipeline in addition to working shared leads

What You Bring - Must-Haves

• Hands-on experience estimating true commercial HVAC work - not light-commercial or rooftop-unit-only projects
• Ability to independently build takeoffs, scope mechanical work, and price it competitively while protecting margin
• A demonstrated track record of winning business, not just submitting bids - comfortable being measured on wins, not just quotes issued
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with general contractors and/or property owners
• Comfort working in a non-union commercial HVAC environment

What You Bring - Nice-to-Haves

• Design-build estimating or project ownership experience (concept through construction handoff)
• Experience in K-12, healthcare, or other institutional verticals
• Existing relationships with general contractors or property owners in the Southeast Michigan market
• Familiarity with construction estimating software and CRM/pipeline tracking tools

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