Job Description: Electrical Estimator
Introduction
Ethos is a growth-oriented company, providing commercial and industrial electrical services and construction management services to our customers in the commercial, renewables energy, and telecom sectors. We are passionate about driving impact and finding solutions that create amazing outcomes for our customers, our employees, and Ethos. We refer to this “win-win-win” concept as “the Ethos way”.
We are searching for an analytical, detail-oriented Electrical Estimator who specializes in commercial and industrial electrical systems, thrives with customers, wants to make an impact and drive growth, and will live the Ethos Way. Buckle up!
Summary Responsibilities
The Electrical Estimator is responsible for leading the end-to-end electrical bidding process, from opportunity definition and scoping through to quote delivery and closing opportunities. This role has five major components:
1. Bid and preconstruction management: manage the complete bidding process, including clarifying work scope, managing subcontractors, completing costing, developing pricing and terms, and working through bid support documentation and customer contract details to ensure bid compliance.
2. Develop detailed costing (including material takeoffs and labor estimates): Conduct rigorous plan and specification reviews to develop accurate material estimates / bills of materials, labor, equipment, and testing estimates.
3. Value engineering and risk mitigation: identify design improvements and optimizations and propose workarounds to constructability challenges or excessively stringent specs to maximize value without compromising safety or quality. Offer alternative to customers to increase win rate and improve margins.
4. Successfully transition projects to operations post-order: collaborate closely with ops team to ensure they understand the specifications and scope, Ethos’ build strategy, and key vendor, materials, and labor estimates.
5. Develop trusted commercial relationships – work with customer through entire bid process to build strong and trusted relationship and obtain critical information to improve quote competitiveness. Under direction of electrical division leader, take lead sales role at specific accounts and generate quote opportunities.
Essential Duties
· Opportunity qualification: assess incoming bid invitations to determine whether commercial and industrial projects fit company expertise, capacity, and strategic growth goals.
· Plan and specification analysis: read and accurately interpret complex commercial/industrial construction drawings, one-line diagrams, and technical specifications. Attend bid walks. Research applicable codes or requirements for specific jurisdictions and reach out to AHJs for clarifications and developing relationships.
· Management bid process: develop bid strategies including self-perform vs. sub-contract elements, manage timeline and submittals processes, and develop high level execution plan and schedule concepts.
· Quantity takeoffs/BOMs: quantify all necessary materials (conduits, wiring, panels, switchgear, transformers, fixtures) through electronic or manual takeoffs. Develop draft bill of materials for quick review and release after order.
· Subcontractor and supplier coordination: solicit, review, and level subcontractor quotes and supplier pricing to ensure competitive and comprehensive bid packages.
· Labor and cost modeling: develop labor estimates, including key activities and labor breakdown, crew sizing and schedule/duration, supervision, testing requirements and costs, equipment rentals, risk levels, and necessary contingency.
· Value engineering: partner with clients, designers, and vendors to provide viable cost-saving alternatives, budget adjustments, and systems selections during pre-construction.
· Bid assembly and handoff: compile complete, professional bid packages and conduct thorough post-bid transition meetings with field operations teams upon project award.
· Apply pricing and manage internal quote review processes: apply Ethos pricing standards and make recommended adjustments based on project risk, strategic importance, customer coaching, etc. Work through Ethos’ bid approval process with supervisor prior to sending to customers.
· Customer relationship management – bid process: act as customer’s primary point of contact during quote process. Clarify scopes and customer priorities, and tailor proposals to maximize win rate and margins. Identify additional work scopes/packages (fire alarm, LV, DAS) that may provide synergies or complexity reduction for our customers.
· Customer relationship management – account management – actively build and maintain relationships with current and potential customers even when not in active bidding phases. Leverage previous relationships and industry contacts to identify important accounts for development.
Supervision Responsibilities
· Direct Reports: None (operate as an individual contributor collaborating closely with Project Management and field leadership). Role may include mentoring new resources over next 12-18 months.
Travel & Location
· Travel: Minimal, as required for pre-bid site walks or client meetings.
· Primary Region: Colorado / Denver Metro Area
Education, Training, and Skills Required
· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent combination of technical training and field experience (e.g. journeyman + estimating experience).
· Experience: 5+ years of electrical construction experience, with a minimum of 2 years specializing in commercial and industrial electrical estimating or project management.
· Technical Competence: Advanced understanding of commercial 3-phase systems, medium/low voltage distribution, industrial controls, and National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations.
· Software Proficiency: Proficiency in estimating software (Accubid preferred), Bluebeam, digital takeoff tools, computerized estimating platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.
· Screening: Must pass initial background check, substance screening, and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
· Primarily office-based environment with standard conditions, alongside occasional visits to active commercial and industrial construction jobsites requiring standard PPE.
· Must be capable of occasional site walks, standing, bending, and navigating unpaved or under-construction environments.
Company Disclaimers
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, and working conditions. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making decisions about the job and evaluations about an individual's performance. In no event shall the job description be construed to represent a contract of employment. Ethos Distributed Solutions maintains "at-will" employment, where either party is free to dissolve the relationship at any time.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
