Electrical Estimator

Electrical Estimator

The Electrical Estimator prepares accurate and competitive cost estimates for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, energy, and construction projects. This role analyzes project plans, specifications, and related documents to determine labor, material, equipment, and time requirements, and supports the full bid process from takeoff through handoff. The Electrical Estimator collaborates closely with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors, and may mentor junior estimators while contributing to continuous improvement across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret project documents, including drawings, specifications, and proposals, to determine project scope, requirements, and constraints.
• Prepare detailed and comprehensive cost estimates by analyzing plans and specifications and identifying labor, material, equipment, and time requirements.
• Bid on approximately 2 to 4 jobs per week and work toward achieving a target bid acceptance rate of around 40%.
• Obtain bids and quotations from vendors and subcontractors by specifying materials, identifying qualified partners, and negotiating competitive pricing.
• Evaluate offers and proposals by considering design changes, additions, site conditions, and other project-specific requirements.
• Assemble, format, and present estimates clearly, using both numerical and descriptive information to support decision-making by project stakeholders.
• Maintain and update cost databases by entering, validating, and backing up data to ensure accurate and current pricing information.
• Conduct gap analyses at project closeout by comparing actual costs, profits, and timelines to the original estimates and schedules.
• Develop and communicate lessons learned from completed projects to project managers, estimators, field leadership, and other stakeholders to reduce errors and repetitive issues.
• Identify and recommend improvements to scheduling, quality, efficiency, communication, and internal procedures based on project performance and feedback.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with project managers, superintendents, foremen, general foremen, other estimators, subcontractors, vendors, owners, and clients.
• Maintain open and frequent communication with project teams, accounting, and other departments to ensure accurate pricing, scope alignment, and smooth project handoff.
• Contribute to team goals by supporting related tasks and projects as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative mindset.
• Cross-train across all facets of the commercial and industrial division to provide coverage for absent team members and to expand responsibilities over time.
• Mentor or lead junior estimators and support staff, providing guidance on estimating processes, tools, and best practices as needed.
• Coordinate with other departments and project teams to gather accurate project information, clarify scope, and resolve discrepancies prior to bid submission.
• Travel to project sites for assessments, walkthroughs, and meetings to better understand field conditions and validate assumptions used in estimates.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience as determined by the employer.
• Multiple years of construction or electrical contracting experience, with proven exposure to commercial and industrial projects.
• Demonstrated experience as an estimator on commercial and industrial projects, with responsibility for full-cycle bid preparation.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, electrical construction methods, and heavy industrial estimation practices.
• Solid knowledge of electrical systems, electrical circuits, and electrical construction methodologies.
• Proficiency with estimating software such as Accubid and other electrical estimating tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, electrical drawings, and preconstruction documents.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, and similar design or modeling tools used in estimating and preconstruction.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and related tools for estimate preparation and reporting.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to clearly present estimates and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Effective negotiation skills for working with vendors, subcontractors, and other partners.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple bids simultaneously, and maintain organized documentation.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of an office-based role, including prolonged computer use, and to occasionally visit construction sites involving walking, standing, and minor lifting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electrical estimation for commercial construction, industrial facilities, and heavy industrial projects.
• Background in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) environments and coordination.
• Hands-on experience with electrical construction projects from preconstruction through execution.
• Formal training or certification in Accubid or other electrical estimating platforms.
• Education or training in electrical engineering, electrical systems, or related technical disciplines.
• Familiarity with preconstruction planning, value engineering, and budgeting processes.
• Ability to perform detailed blueprint takeoffs and translate them into accurate estimates.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain long-term relationships with project managers, field leaders, subcontractors, and clients.
• Interest in continuous learning and cross-training across different aspects of commercial and industrial operations.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the local area for site visits, assessments, and meetings, and occasionally for training, conferences, and vendor or client visits.

Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based and involves extensive desk work, computer use, and frequent interaction with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors. The Electrical Estimator works with modern estimating software such as Accubid, as well as tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and the Microsoft Office Suite. The position requires regular local travel to construction and industrial project sites to perform assessments, attend meetings, and validate field conditions, with occasional travel for training, conferences, and client or vendor engagements. Site visits may involve walking, standing, navigating active construction areas, and minor lifting, and the physical demands can vary depending on the type of project and industry. The work environment emphasizes collaboration, cross-training, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities to expand responsibilities, support different parts of the commercial and industrial division, and contribute to a supportive team culture. Benefits typically include company-paid health insurance (medical, vision, dental, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance), a 401(k) plan with a matching contribution, paid personal and sick leave, paid vacation, paid parental leave, educational assistance, and access to various discount programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Edwardsville, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

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