Estimating Manager – Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I)

Location: Houston, TX or Corpus Christi, TX (On-Site)

Employment Type: Full-Time (Salary + Bonus)

Overview

We are supporting a growing electrical and industrial services contractor seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead its estimating function. This role is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and executable cost estimates across complex industrial, energy, and infrastructure projects.

This is a leadership position with direct impact on project selection, margin performance, and overall business growth. The ideal candidate brings both technical estimating expertise and the ability to lead, standardize, and scale an estimating team.

Key Responsibilities

Own the Estimate

• Lead the development and final review of conceptual budgets and detailed cost estimates
• Ensure all estimates accurately reflect labor, material, equipment, and execution strategy
• Maintain margin integrity while supporting competitive bid positioning

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of estimators
• Drive consistency, efficiency, and technical rigor across all estimating deliverables
• Establish performance expectations, workflows, and best practices

Bid Strategy & Execution

• Oversee bid pipeline, scheduling, and resource allocation
• Lead bid reviews, pre-bid meetings, and internal go/no-go decisions
• Coordinate with vendors and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing

Process & Standardization

• Implement and maintain standardized estimating procedures, templates, and tools
• Oversee takeoff methodologies using tools such as Bluebeam and Navisworks
• Ensure consistency across all bid packages and deliverables

Operational Alignment

• Partner closely with Operations to validate constructability, productivity assumptions, and execution plans
• Support development of manpower plans and project approach during the bid phase
• Lead estimate handoff meetings to ensure alignment with project teams

Data & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and improve cost databases, labor units, and historical project data
• Incorporate lessons learned from completed projects into future estimates

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently winning work at strong, sustainable margins
• Minimal variance between estimated and actual project costs
• Timely and accurate delivery of all bid submissions
• Strong alignment with Operations and Executive Leadership
• Development and retention of a high-performing estimating team

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience within Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) scopes
• Strong background in industrial, energy, or large-scale infrastructure projects (refineries, manufacturing, power, renewables, BESS, etc.)
• Prior experience leading or managing an estimating team
• Proficiency in Excel, Bluebeam Revu, and Navisworks
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, field execution, and constructability
• Ability to clearly communicate and defend estimates in internal and client-facing settings

Additional Details

• Combination of office and field interaction as needed
• Occasional travel for site visits, bid walks, and client meetings