Senior Mechanical Estimator
Job DescriptionJob Description
Senior Mechanical Estimator
Type: Direct Hire
Location: Fresno, CA (Hybrid)
Salary: $135K–$155K DOE
About the Role
We are recruiting a Senior Mechanical Estimator in Fresno, California to own preconstruction estimating on large-scale commercial HVAC retrofits for a fast-growing, multi-state contractor. The employer is backed by a nationwide organization and delivers commercial HVAC, building automation, and chiller services across the Central Valley.
This is a long-established operation, and the seat owns estimating on mechanical retrofit, piping, and sheet metal projects. The work spans multiple building types rather than repeating a single scope — healthcare, data centers, K-12 and higher education campuses, and commercial and industrial facilities — across retrofit, major service repair, and design-build delivery, with in-house engineering, controls, and energy analysis. A growing backlog of retrofit and energy work across these markets makes this a long-horizon seat rather than a project-to-project hire.
This is a senior seat in the preconstruction group, not a bid-desk support role. The person hired owns the estimate from job walk through final proposal package, on a hybrid schedule. The strongest candidates are career mechanical estimators who can price a large-scale retrofit off field conditions when drawings, plans, and specifications do not exist. For candidates relocating to Fresno: California Central Valley housing runs roughly half the California median, with Yosemite and Sequoia Parks just two hours away.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating and Preconstruction
• Own the full estimate for commercial mechanical retrofit projects, including equipment, sheet metal, piping, and labor takeoffs.
• Price large-scale mechanical retrofit work by interpreting field conditions where drawings, plans, or specifications are unavailable.
• Prepare conceptual estimates and budgets across design-build, design-assist, and hard-bid delivery.
• Build accurate cost models and proposals in Microsoft Excel and commercial estimating and takeoff software.
• Compile qualifications, clarifications, and exclusions communicating budget assumptions.
• Prepare the final estimate package and confirm accuracy before proposal submission.
Technical Review and Code Compliance
• Perform constructability and code compliance reviews of proposals and design documents.
• Apply the California Mechanical Code, California Title 24 energy standards, and local municipal codes to proposed retrofit solutions.
• Prepare redline sketches where design documents are incomplete.
• Document and communicate constructability and risk concerns.
Project Support and Coordination
• Conduct job walks and gather scope from account managers, end users, and engineering.
• Obtain scopes and pricing from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Prepare project schedules, support value analysis, and price change orders as needed.
Qualifications
Required
• 10+ years in estimating, engineering, construction management, or business management.
• 4+ years in HVAC design and/or HVAC construction.
• Competent technical knowledge of mechanical construction means and methods, including retrofit projects, redline design, budgeting, scheduling, and phasing.
• Knowledge of the Request for Quote (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) process for bidding retrofit projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and control all phases of the bidding process.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proficiency with commercial mechanical estimating and takeoff software such as FastEST, QuoteSoft, Trimble, Accubid, PlanSwift, or Bluebeam Revu.
• Working knowledge of the California Mechanical Code and Title 24 energy standards, or experience adapting to a new state code.
• Mechanical retrofit experience across commercial buildings, hospitals, data centers, and K-12 and higher education.
• Experience with energy projects involving direct digital control (DDC) integration, commissioning, measurement and verification (M&V), and energy analysis.
• Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS) and controls integration.
• Experience estimating central plant, chiller, and boiler scopes.
Compensation & Employment
Employment Type: Direct hire. The selected candidate will be hired as a full-time employee directly with our client.
Salary: $135K–$155K DOE
Work Model: Hybrid. The onsite and remote split is negotiable.
Location: Fresno, CA. Relocation is required if not a commutable distance from Fresno.
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; health savings and flexible spending accounts; life insurance; ; a 401(k) savings plan; college coaching; an employee assistance program; and free access to a company-wide learning platform for technical and professional development.
Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. We review candidates without regard to , , , , , , , veteran status, , , or any other protected characteristic.