Estimator Manager

Mechanical Estimator Manager

Department

Mechanical

Reports To

VP of Mechanical

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-Time

Location

Southern MEP, Inc. Corporate Office (with periodic travel to active jobsites and pre-bid meetings)

Why Join Southern MEP?

At Southern MEP, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to providing a culture where employees are respected, supported, and given opportunities to grow. We take pride in delivering quality craftsmanship, maintaining strong customer relationships, and creating a workplace where teamwork, integrity, and safety drive everything we do.

Position Summary

The Mechanical Estimator Manager leads Southern MEP's mechanical estimating team, directing the preparation of accurate, competitive cost estimates for HVAC, piping, and plumbing scopes across industrial, commercial, and institutional construction projects. This role is responsible for managing estimating staff, reviewing and approving bid packages, and partnering with the VP of Mechanical, Project Managers, and Preconstruction to develop winning bid strategies. The Mechanical Estimator Manager serves as the technical authority on estimating methodology, historical cost data, and mechanical systems knowledge, ensuring estimates are thorough, well-documented, and delivered on schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the mechanical estimating team, including Senior Mechanical Estimators, Piping Estimators, and estimating support staff.
• Assign and prioritize estimating workload across active bids to ensure proposal deadlines are consistently met.
• Develop and review comprehensive cost estimates, including quantity take-offs, labor hours, material pricing, equipment costs, and subcontractor/vendor quotes for HVAC, piping, and plumbing scopes.
• Interpret blueprints, specifications, mechanical schematics, and contract documents to identify project scope, risks, and opportunities.
• Conduct and oversee site visits and pre-bid walk-throughs to verify field conditions and project requirements.
• Price change orders, revisions, and addenda, and communicate updates to Project Managers in a timely manner.
• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate pricing from suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure competitive and accurate bids.
• Partner with the VP of Mechanical, Project Managers, and Preconstruction to develop bid strategy, review estimates, and finalize proposals prior to submission.
• Maintain and continuously improve estimating systems, unit pricing databases, and historical cost records.
• Present completed estimates and bid summaries to leadership, highlighting cost drivers, risks, and assumptions.
• Track estimating metrics, win/loss rates, and lessons learned to improve future bid accuracy.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate the performance of estimating department staff.
• Travel periodically to jobsites, pre-bid meetings, and client offices as needed.
• Support other estimating, preconstruction, and administrative projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred, but not required; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical, HVAC, or piping estimating within industrial, commercial, or institutional construction.
• 3-5+ years in a supervisory or leadership role managing estimating or preconstruction staff.
• Strong knowledge of blueprint reading, isometric drawings, mechanical schematics, and applicable codes and standards.
• Proficiency with estimating software (e.g., Sage Estimating, Trimble/Accubid, On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam) and Microsoft Office/Excel.
• Strong leadership, analytical, negotiation, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present estimates and bid strategy to leadership and clients.
• Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or Certified Cost Professional (CCP) certification a plus but not required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.

• Primarily sedentary office work requiring the ability to sit at a workstation for extended periods, with the option to periodically stand and move about.
• Frequent use of a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone, requiring repetitive hand/wrist motion and manual dexterity.
• Ability to read printed and electronic documents, including fine print on drawings, specifications, and bid documents (with or without corrective lenses).
• Ability to hear and verbally communicate clearly in person, by phone, and in virtual meetings, including in moderately noisy office or jobsite environments.
• Occasional lifting and/or carrying of plan sets, binders, or estimating references up to 15-20 pounds.
• Occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or crouching to access filing systems or storage areas.
• Occasional travel to jobsite locations and pre-bid walk-throughs, which may require walking on uneven or unpaved surfaces, climbing stairs or ladders, and use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a hard hat, safety glasses, and high-visibility vest.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel between the office, jobsites, and client meetings as needed.

This position is not required to perform manual construction labor. Employees who cannot meet one or more of the above requirements because of a disability are encouraged to discuss potential reasonable accommodations with Human Resources. Southern MEP, Inc. will engage in an interactive process to identify accommodations that do not impose an undue hardship on business operations.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office setting. Some exposure to typical construction jobsite conditions (weather, noise, dust, uneven terrain) may occur during periodic site visits and pre-bid walk-throughs.

Total Rewards Package

Insurance Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)

Additional Benefits

• 401(k) Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Company-Sponsored Training and Development
• Career Growth Opportunities

Equal Employment Opportunity

Southern MEP, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Southern MEP, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and applicable state and local laws.

Work Location: In person

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person