Senior Estimator

Job Title: Senior Estimator Job Description
We are seeking a Senior Estimator for an industrial mechanical contractor to lead full-cycle estimating across battery plant and data center projects. The role involves building conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and competitive bids, with a strong focus on equipment installation, piping, rigging, and structural steel. This client-facing position requires collaboration with engineers, subcontractors, and internal teams to define scope, sequencing, constructability, and pricing strategy to help win profitable work.
Responsibilities
- Build conceptual budgets and detailed estimates.
- Prepare competitive bids with a focus on equipment installation, piping, rigging, and structural steel.
- Collaborate with engineers, subcontractors, and internal teams to define scope, sequencing, constructability, and pricing strategy.
- Prepare and present estimates to clients and leadership.
- Perform quantity take-offs, labor productivity analysis, and material pricing.
- Solicit, evaluate, and manage subcontractor and vendor proposals.
- Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and evaluate value engineering opportunities.
- Manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
Essential Skills
- 3–5+ years of estimating experience in industrial construction.
- Strong mechanical construction background with experience in equipment installation, process and utility piping, and structural steel work.
- Proficiency in interpreting drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and estimating software.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Field experience in industrial construction trades is a strong asset.
- Experience performing quantity take-offs and labor productivity analysis.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Willingness to travel for site visits, pre-bid meetings, client presentations, and post-bid reviews.
Work Environment
This position is primarily office-based in Frankfort, IL, with standard hours from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Travel is minimal, typically involving a couple of day trips per month within the Midwest, with very limited overnight travel. Site visits are infrequent, under 5 days per month. Some flexibility for remote work exists but is not structured. The team is lean, consisting of approximately four estimators, and the workload is high due to company growth and the launch of a new fabrication division.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Frankfort, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $67.31/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Frankfort,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.