SENIOR ESTIMATOR / PROJECT MANAGER
Full-Time | Carbondale, IL (On-Site) | Union Shop
Compensation: $75,000–$89,000 DOE + Performance Bonus
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Southern Illinois Piping Contractors LLC (SIPC) is a commercial and industrial mechanical contractor headquartered in Carbondale, Illinois. We self-perform HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical piping work on projects ranging from institutional and healthcare facilities to industrial plants and government installations across Southern Illinois. SIPC operates as a union signatory contractor and is in an active growth phase — expanding our project pipeline, pursuing federal and public sector contracting, and building a long-term team that grows with the company.
We are not looking for a job-hopper. We are building a core team that stays. If you take pride in your craft, know how to run real work, and want to be part of something you can grow with for the long haul, this role is for you.
POSITION OVERVIEW
SIPC is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator/Project Manager to own the full project lifecycle — from initial bid and budgeting through field execution and final closeout, including all owner billing. This is a single combined role that requires real depth: you need to be able to price commercial mechanical work competitively, manage projects in the $500K–$2M+ range, and handle the billing and financial administration that keeps cash flowing.
You will work directly with company ownership and serve as the internal authority on bid strategy, project cost control, and client communication. Union labor coordination and compliance with prevailing wage requirements are core to this role, not an afterthought.
Prior trade experience as a journeyman or apprentice mechanic, pipefitter, or plumber is strongly preferred. We want people who have been in the field and understand the work from the ground up — not just people who have managed it from a desk.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Estimating & Pre-Construction
- Perform detailed mechanical quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for HVAC, plumbing, hydronic, and process piping scopes on commercial and industrial projects
- Interpret and analyze project plans, specifications, addenda, and bid documents; identify scope gaps, exclusions, and risk items before bid submission
- Solicit, level, and award subcontractor and material vendor quotes; maintain and develop a reliable sub/supplier network across Southern Illinois
- Prepare complete bid packages including labor, material, equipment, sub costs, burden, overhead, and profit mark-up; manage submission deadlines without exception
- Build detailed project budgets at award; establish cost codes and labor production benchmarks that carry into field execution
- Track win/loss ratios and bid accuracy over time; continuously refine estimating assumptions based on actual job performance
Project Management & Field Coordination
- Serve as PM of record on all awarded projects from contract execution through final closeout and warranty period
- Manage projects ranging from $500K to $2M+; maintain simultaneous oversight of multiple active jobs at varying stages
- Develop and manage project schedules in coordination with field foremen and superintendents; flag schedule risks early
- Coordinate labor dispatching with union hall and field foremen; ensure correct classifications are on site and labor hours are controlled against budget
- Manage all submittals, shop drawings, RFIs, and responses; maintain organized documentation throughout the project lifecycle
- Issue, negotiate, and execute change orders promptly; protect project margin and document scope changes in real time
- Conduct regular job cost reviews; analyze cost-to-complete forecasts against original budget and take corrective action when variances emerge
- Ensure work is executed in compliance with contract documents, applicable mechanical and plumbing codes, OSHA requirements, and project-specific safety plans
- Maintain proactive communication with owners, GCs, and facility managers; resolve issues before they become claims
Billing, Budgeting & Financial Administration
- Prepare and submit monthly AIA/CDB Schedule of Values billings (G702/G703 or equivalent CDB format) for all active projects; ensure billings are accurate, timely, and fully substantiated
- Understand and comply with Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) billing procedures, documentation requirements, and lien waiver protocols for public projects
- Track stored materials, completed work percentages, and retainage accurately across all active contracts
- Manage pay application backup including certified payroll, lien waivers, and required compliance documentation for prevailing wage projects
- Coordinate with ownership and accounting on cash flow forecasting, billing cycles, and AR follow-up
- Maintain project-level WIP schedules; provide accurate overbilled/underbilled positions monthly
- Process and approve subcontractor pay applications in alignment with upstream billing receipts
Union Compliance & Labor Relations
- Understand and administer applicable collective bargaining agreement(s) — UA Plumbers & Steamfitters or equivalent local trades
- Coordinate labor needs with union hall; manage dispatch, dispatch priorities, and manpower forecasting across active jobs
- Ensure proper classification, jurisdictional assignment, and prevailing wage rates are applied on all applicable projects
- Maintain certified payroll records in compliance with Davis-Bacon Act, Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and any project-specific labor compliance requirements
- Serve as point of contact for any labor compliance audits or inquiries from public owners or GCs
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in commercial or industrial mechanical contracting — HVAC, plumbing, and/or piping — with demonstrated tenure at prior employers (this is not a role for short-term candidates)
- Demonstrated experience managing projects in the $500K–$2M+ range from bid through closeout
- Direct experience preparing and submitting CDB billings (Illinois Capital Development Board) or AIA G702/G703 pay applications on public or institutional projects
- Ability to build complete mechanical estimates independently from plans and specifications without supervision
- Working knowledge of union labor operations: CBA administration, dispatch, certified payroll, prevailing wage compliance (Davis-Bacon / Illinois PWA)
- Strong command of construction contract administration: submittals, RFIs, change orders, pay applications, closeout
- Ability to read and interpret full mechanical, plumbing, and piping construction document sets
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with owners, GCs, inspectors, and union field personnel
Strongly Preferred
- Prior field trade experience as a journeyman mechanic, pipefitter, plumber, or HVAC technician — we want people who know this work from the ground up
- UA or IBEW union membership or documented experience working in a union signatory environment
- Experience with BeamAI, Sage 100 Contractor, or similar construction PM/accounting platforms
- Experience on federal, VA, DoD, or government-funded projects; familiarity with federal procurement and contract compliance
- Illinois Plumbing License (IL-licensed plumber or ability to obtain) a significant plus
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field; equivalent trade experience and tenure accepted in lieu
WHO THIS ROLE IS NOT FOR
We will be direct about what we are not looking for:
- Candidates with a pattern of 1–2 year stints at multiple companies — we need people committed to building something long-term
- Candidates with only residential HVAC or service/repair backgrounds without commercial or industrial project construction experience
- Candidates who have only estimated or only managed, but not done both on commercial mechanical work
- Candidates with no exposure to union labor, prevailing wage, or public project billing requirements
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
SIPC offers a competitive package for the right long-term hire:
- Base salary: $75,000–$89,000 depending on depth of experience and qualifications
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Company vehicle or vehicle allowance for site travel
- Professional development support — we invest in people who invest in us
- Direct working relationship with company ownership; real influence on how the company grows
WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS
This is a full-time, on-site position based out of our Carbondale, Illinois office with regular site visits across Southern Illinois. Occasional travel to project sites beyond the immediate Carbondale area may be required. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required. This is not a remote-eligible position project coordination and field oversight require consistent physical presence.
HOW TO APPLY
We review every application. Submit the following to: indeed.com
- Resume with clear documentation of project sizes, types, and tenure at each employer
- Brief cover letter (one page) describing your estimating background, largest projects managed, and experience with CDB or public project billing
- 2–3 professional references from prior mechanical contracting employers (supervisors or owners, not peers)
Candidates who move to a phone screen will be asked to walk through a representative project end-to-end — from estimate build to final billing. We want to hear you talk about real work.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be contacted within 5 business days.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $89,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Education:
Experience:
- Construction management: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
Location:
- Carbondale, IL 62902 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Carbondale, IL 62902: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
