DG Solar Estimator and Scheduler

Company: Rethink Electric

Location: Lisle, IL

Type: Full-Time, In-Office & Project Sites as needed

Compensation: $90,000 – 130,000 + Discretionary Bonus

About Rethink

Rethink Electric is a leading commercial and industrial solar electrical contractor with more than 15 years of experience and more than 1,000 projects installed. We specialize in the construction and installation of commercial and industrial solar projects across the United States, including rooftop and ground-mount systems.

Rethink partners with solar developers, EPCs, building owners, and other project stakeholders to safely and efficiently construct high-quality solar energy systems.

Position Overview

Rethink Electric is seeking an experienced DG Solar Estimator and Scheduler to support our growing solar construction business. This individual will prepare detailed estimates and develop practical construction schedules for commercial rooftop and small ground-mounted distributed generation (DG) solar projects.

The Estimator and Scheduler will play a key role in developing accurate labor and material budgets, coordinating preconstruction planning, and translating project estimates into executable construction plans. This position will work closely with project management, procurement, and field leadership to ensure projects are properly planned, resourced, and scheduled.

The ideal candidate understands how solar projects are built, can accurately estimate construction costs and labor requirements, and can develop realistic schedules that account for installation methods, material availability, crew productivity, and project-specific conditions.

Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant experience, direct estimating experience with both rooftop DG solar and small ground-mounted solar projects, and reside in the Chicagoland area.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and Preconstruction

• Prepare detailed project estimates using HCSS HeavyBid or comparable bidding software, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and indirect project costs.
• Review drawings, specifications, site conditions, and scope requirements to identify gaps, exclusions, assumptions, and construction risks.
• Complete material takeoffs and coordinate supplier and subcontractor pricing.
• Develop labor budgets by installation activity, accounting for crew sizes, production rates, installation methods, and project conditions.
• Evaluate construction methods, site logistics, access restrictions, and equipment requirements to support accurate estimates.
• Coordinate with procurement to confirm approved materials, part numbers, pricing, and lead times.
• Lead estimate handoffs to ensure project teams understand the approved budget, scope, assumptions, and labor expectations.
• Support change order pricing and compare actual project costs against estimates to identify variances and improve future estimating accuracy.

Scheduling and Project Controls

• Develop baseline construction schedules covering preconstruction, installation, inspections, commissioning, and energization.
• Coordinate engineering, permitting, material deliveries, crew availability, and utility milestones within project schedules.
• Work with project managers and construction managers to establish realistic activity durations, construction sequencing, and manpower requirements.
• Update schedules based on field progress and identify critical path impacts, upcoming constraints, and potential delays.
• Support short-term look-ahead schedules and develop recovery plans when projects fall behind schedule.
• Establish planned labor hours and production targets by task so field teams can measure actual progress against budgeted expectations.
• Identify staffing, equipment, and resource conflicts across multiple projects and coordinate with project leadership to support effective resource allocation.
• Communicate schedule risks, resource constraints, and potential impacts to project managers and field leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of relevant solar estimating and construction scheduling experience.
• Demonstrated estimating experience with both commercial rooftop DG solar and small ground-mounted solar projects.
• Must reside in the Chicagoland area and be available to work from the Wood Dale office and visit project sites as needed.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, site plans, structural details, and project specifications.
• Strong understanding of solar installation methods, electrical construction, labor productivity, and construction sequencing.
• Experience preparing detailed material takeoffs, labor budgets, bid packages, and construction schedules.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with estimating, takeoff, and scheduling software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with project management, procurement, and field operations teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or comparable scheduling software.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid; familiarity with Bluebeam, Accubid, or comparable estimating and takeoff tools.
• Previous field experience in electrical or solar construction.
• Familiarity with Illinois prevailing wage labor costs and utility interconnection requirements.
• Experience using actual labor hours, material costs, and production data to improve estimating accuracy.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time position with competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Discretionary bonus opportunities.
• 401(k) employer match.
• Health, vision and dental benefits.
• Paid time off, including company holidays.
• Opportunity for advancement within a growing renewable energy construction company.

Rethink is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

The compensation range for this role reflects the broad array of factors considered in making compensation decisions. These factors include, but are not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the geographic differential associated with the location where the position may be filled. A reasonable estimate of the compensation range will be provided based on the approved range for this position. At Rethink, it is uncommon for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, as compensation decisions are tailored to the specifics of each case.

We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. We request that recruiters and agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this or any other role.