Chief Electrical Estimator

Job Description

Position Summary

The Chief Electrical Estimator – Data Centers is responsible for leading the estimating function for large-scale, mission-critical electrical construction projects including hyperscale and colocation data centers. This role oversees the full estimating lifecycle from conceptual budgets and design-assist through GMP and hard bid submissions. The Chief Electrical Estimator will provide strategic leadership to the estimating team, ensure accurate and competitive pricing, and partner with operations, procurement, and executive leadership to secure profitable work.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience estimating complex electrical scopes including medium voltage distribution, UPS systems, generators, switchgear, PDUs/RPPs, grounding, busway, and critical power infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating Leadership & Department Oversight

• Lead and manage the electrical estimating team supporting mission-critical/data center pursuits.
• Establish standardized estimating procedures, assemblies, labor factors, and pricing strategies specific to data center construction.
• Review and approve final bid packages, budgets, and risk assessments prior to submission.
• Mentor and develop estimators, ensuring technical growth and consistency across estimates.

Data Center Project Estimating & Preconstruction

• Produce accurate and competitive estimates for large-scale data center electrical projects, including conceptual, design development, GMP, and hard bid pricing.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and labor forecasting for mission-critical electrical systems.
• Develop complete estimates including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor scopes, temporary power, logistics, and commissioning support.
• Evaluate constructability and labor productivity based on schedule, phasing, and site constraints.

Scope Development & Risk Management

• Conduct thorough scope reviews of drawings, specifications, addendums, and contract documents.
• Identify gaps, exclusions, and project risk items related to design maturity, long-lead equipment, labor availability, and schedule impacts.
• Support internal risk review meetings and develop contingencies and allowances based on project complexity.
• Provide value engineering options while maintaining redundancy and mission-critical performance requirements.

Vendor & Procurement Coordination

• Coordinate with vendors and manufacturers for pricing and lead times on critical equipment such as:
• MV switchgear and transformers
• UPS systems and battery storage
• Generators and paralleling gear
• Switchboards, panelboards, and busway
• PDUs, RPPs, and rack distribution systems
• Cable tray, conduit, and feeder packages
• Support procurement strategy to mitigate supply chain risk and long-lead procurement challenges.
• Work closely with purchasing teams to validate pricing, escalation assumptions, and material availability.

Client, GC, and Design Team Collaboration

• Serve as a primary estimating contact for owners, general contractors, and design partners.
• Participate in design-assist and design-build meetings, contributing budgeting, cost impacts, and constructability feedback.
• Support bid interviews, proposal presentations, and negotiations with owners and clients.
• Collaborate with project management teams to ensure smooth transition from estimate to execution.

Scheduling & Labor Forecasting

• Develop labor models and manpower curves aligned with fast-track data center schedules.
• Evaluate impacts of overtime, shift work, night work, and restricted access environments.
• Support project staffing projections and preconstruction schedule reviews.

Estimating Tools & Process Improvement

• Utilize estimating platforms such as Accubid, Trimble, ConEst, Bluebeam, Revit/Model-based estimating tools, Excel, and similar systems.
• Maintain historical cost databases, labor productivity benchmarks, and mission-critical estimating templates.
• Improve estimating workflows to enhance accuracy, speed, and bid success rates.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of electrical estimating experience in commercial/industrial construction.
• 5+ years estimating data centers or mission-critical facilities ( but not required if strong comparable experience).
• Proven experience estimating large-scale projects ($10M–$200M+ electrical scope).
• Strong understanding of mission-critical electrical systems including:
• Medium voltage distribution
• Critical power/UPS systems
• Generators/paralleling
• Grounding/bonding
• Switchgear/switchboards
• Busway and feeder infrastructure
• Commissioning and testing support
• Strong knowledge of NEC, electrical engineering documents, and construction methods.
• Experience leading bid strategy, risk review, and proposal development.
• Ability to manage multiple pursuits simultaneously under tight deadlines.