Chief Estimator

Job Title:

Company

Founded in 1988, State Electric is a full-service electrical contractor serving Commercial, Utility, Transportation, Low Voltage Systems, and Electrical Service/Maintenance clients throughout the Northeastern United States.

Location:

Learn more about the general tasks related to this opportunity below, as well as required skills.

Salary:

Job Description/Responsibilities

• State Electric is seeking a highly qualified Chief Estimator to lead and advance our estimating department. This senior leadership role is responsible for the accuracy, consistency, competitiveness, and strategic direction of the company's estimating and preconstruction efforts across our Commercial, Utility, Transportation, Low Voltage Systems, and Electrical Service/Maintenance markets.
• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team, establishing clear accountability, workload priorities, and consistent estimating standards.
• Oversee all take-offs, quantity surveys, labor and material pricing, subcontractor scopes, and vendor quotations in accordance with company procedures.
• Direct bid strategy, project selection, risk evaluation, value engineering, and pricing decisions for complex and high-value electrical construction opportunities.
• Perform senior-level review of estimates, bid summaries, scope letters, exclusions, qualifications, bid forms, and final submissions prior to executive approval.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, clients, general contractors, and internal stakeholders to strengthen pricing intelligence and market position.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, contractual risks, and opportunities; generate and manage RFIs as needed during the preconstruction and bidding process.
• Partner closely with Executive Management and Operations through bid reviews and construction turnover meetings to ensure complete transfer of scope, assumptions, risks, budgets, and commitments.

Employment Type: Full Time

Career Level: Senior Leadership / Department Head

Years of Experience: 15 years

Qualifications/Requirements: 

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive electrical estimating experience, including significant experience leading estimators and complex bid pursuits.
• Demonstrated success estimating large, complex electrical construction projects; experience across multiple State Electric market sectors is strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of electrical construction means and methods, labor productivity, material/equipment pricing, subcontractor scope development, and the National Electrical Code.
• Proven ability to lead bid strategy, evaluate risk, identify scope gaps, and make sound commercial decisions under deadline pressure.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills with a track record of mentoring, developing, and holding high-performing estimating teams accountable.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, contracts, schedules, and other bid documents and translate them into complete, defensible estimates.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to benchmark historical performance, evaluate market conditions, and improve estimating accuracy and consistency.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, operations teams, clients, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits, prioritize resources, and meet critical bid deadlines without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
• Proficiency with estimating technology and digital takeoff tools; strong working knowledge of ConEst is highly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working proficiency in Microsoft Word and related business applications. xhyhwjd

Pay and Benefits

• Highly competitive salaries to commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance-Based Bonus
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Matching 401K
• Paid Vacation
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Wellness Program