Chief Estimator

About Us

One Electric is an open-shop electrical contractor serving California and Arizona — ten years in, 100+ employees, and $100M+ in executed work. We self-perform complex power and low-voltage systems across multifamily, commercial, healthcare, and public works. We run Accubid, BIM coordination, design-assist, and design-built.

The Opportunity

We're hiring a Chief Electrical Estimator to own preconstruction. You'll run bid strategy, set the labor and unit-pricing standards the whole department estimates against, and be accountable for the accuracy of what we hand to operations. This is a department-building role as we scale into larger projects and new territory — not a seat on someone else's bid board.

What You'll Own

• Run the estimating department: bid calendar, assignments, and on-time delivery of every bid we commit to.
• Set bid/no-bid discipline. Decide what we chase and defend the call.
• Own the estimating database — cost codes, labor productivity factors, assemblies, and unit pricing — and keep it current against what the field actually produces.
• Perform and review quantity takeoffs and pricing for labor, material, equipment, and subs on projects from $1M to $50M+.
• Manage vendor and subcontractor RFQs; evaluate, level, and negotiate.
• Lead pre-bid meetings, RFI strategy, and the qualifications/exclusions that protect our number.
• Build design-assist and design-build budgets from incomplete documents and stand behind them.
• Run the handoff to operations: budget rollup, cost codes, and scope basis that PMs can actually execute against.
• Close the loop — bid vs. actual on every job, and feed what you learn back into the database.
• Mentor junior estimators into people who can carry a bid alone.

What You Bring

• 10+ years electrical estimating, 5+ leading a team.
• Track record on $5M+ commercial, industrial, institutional, or multifamily bids.
• Deep command of the NEC, electrical systems, installation methods, and construction sequencing.
• Accubid proficiency (database ownership, not just data entry). Bluebeam and advanced Excel.
• Design-build and BIM coordination experience strongly preferred.
• Healthcare (OSHPD/HCAI), prevailing wage, or public works experience is a significant plus.
• The judgment to know when detail matters and when it's costing you the bid.
• Based in the greater Los Angeles area; this role is on-site.

What We Offer

• Base salary $160,000–$210,000, depending on experience and demonstrated track record.
• Performance bonus tied to bid margin and hit rate.
• Profit sharing tied to company results.
• Medical, dental, and vision.
• A direct line to executive leadership — you'll report to the Managing Partner and sit in on the decisions that shape where the company bids next.
• Authority to build the department the way you think it should be built.
• One Electric is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.