Electrical Estimator

Job Title: Electrical Estimator / Cost Manager Job Description This role focuses on delivering accurate conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates for electrical scopes on large, high-impact preconstruction projects across multiple market sectors. You will support early-phase budget development, cost planning, and value engineering while partnering closely with clients, general contractors, and internal project teams. The position is ideal for an electrical estimating professional with strong trades-level experience who enjoys shaping budgets early, influencing cost decisions, and guiding clients through complex scopes and evolving designs within a collaborative, growth-oriented cost management consultancy. Responsibilities Prepare conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates for electrical scopes across multiple preconstruction projects. Support the development of project budgets, cost planning efforts, feasibility studies, and value engineering initiatives. Perform QA/QC reviews on estimating deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project requirements. Plan workloads and manage tasks for estimating activities to meet deadlines and support multiple concurrent projects. Conduct value analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining project quality and performance. Reconcile change orders, invoices, and cost impacts with general contractors, subcontractors, and third parties. Provide post-contract cost support, including bid analysis, change management, and cost tracking for electrical scopes. Participate in risk and value management evaluations to identify and mitigate cost and schedule risks. Mentor and support estimators and estimating technicians, strengthening their technical and procedural knowledge. Develop and maintain strong client relationships through clear communication, reliable cost guidance, and responsive service. Prepare client-facing reports, milestone estimates, and executive-ready summaries that clearly communicate cost insights and recommendations. Engage with internal stakeholders, project controls teams, and leadership to ensure alignment on budgets, assumptions, and cost strategies. Participate in peer reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance estimating processes, tools, and standards. Stay informed on local market conditions, construction trends, and industry best practices to ensure estimates reflect current realities. Collaborate with regional offices and project teams as needed to support preconstruction and cost management activities. Contribute to bidding, quantity take-offs, and low-voltage and broader electrical construction estimation as required. Essential Skills At least 5 years of experience in electrical estimating, preferably from a subcontractor background. Strong background in conceptual estimating and early project planning for electrical scopes. Deep technical understanding of electrical systems, scopes, and construction methodologies. Proven experience supporting large, complex commercial construction projects. Ability to read and interpret construction schedules, drawings, and specifications. Advanced proficiency with cost estimating methods, tools, and processes. Strong Microsoft Excel skills for detailed cost modeling and analysis. Experience using modern estimating and construction software such as Accubid, Bluebeam, and Procore. Ability to analyze incomplete or evolving design information and provide clear, defensible cost guidance. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client-facing and internal interactions. Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Experience in MEP-focused estimating or cost consulting for electrical and related systems. Comfort working on project budgets, bidding, take-offs, and quantity surveying for electrical construction. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience working within a national or global cost consulting or project management environment. background in low-voltage systems estimation and commercial construction projects. Familiarity with value engineering, value analysis, and feasibility studies in a preconstruction context. Experience collaborating with project controls teams and leadership on major construction programs. Interest in continuous learning and professional development through ongoing education platforms. Ability to mentor and develop junior estimators and estimating technicians. Comfort operating in a remote or hybrid setting while supporting multiple regional teams. Strong client relationship management skills, with a focus on reliability, responsiveness, and clear communication. Work Environment This is a salaried position designed around a 40-hour workweek and promotes a healthy work-life balance, including paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick leave during the contract duration. The role offers fully remote flexibility within the United States and is aligned to regional teams, with more senior levels (associate or director) expected to work in at least a hybrid capacity with regional offices in the Northwest (Sacramento/Roseville), Southwest (San Diego), Central (Nashville), Northeast (Manhattan), and Southeast (Miami). You will work within a nationally recognized, top-ranked project and cost management consultancy that delivers complex, high-impact projects across multiple sectors. The environment is collaborative and growth-oriented, with strong emphasis on early project planning, cost influence, and client partnership. Team members benefit from comprehensive benefits including paid time off, a 401(k) plan, and access to medical, dental, and vision coverage. Professional development is supported through an ongoing education platform and a structured 360-degree review program, as well as flexible compensation plans tailored to individual needs. Work is primarily computer-based, using tools such as Excel, Accubid, Bluebeam, and Procore, and involves regular virtual collaboration with regional offices and project teams. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Portland, OR. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $75.11/hr. 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 remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 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.