Estimator

Department: Estimating / Operations
Reports To: [COO / Principal Engineer / Controller – depending on Sonoran’s structure]
Location: Phoenix / Scottsdale, AZ Area
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Sonoran Sales Company is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Estimator to support the preparation of accurate and competitive estimates for our steel water pipe, fabrication, and infrastructure projects.

The Estimator is responsible for reviewing project plans, specifications, bid documents, and customer requirements to determine material, labor, fabrication, subcontractor, freight, and other project costs.

This position works closely with Engineering, Project Management, Plant Operations, Purchasing, Accounting, vendors, and customers to develop complete estimates and ensure awarded projects transition accurately from estimating into production and execution.

The ideal candidate is technically minded, highly organized, comfortable interpreting engineering and construction documents, and capable of identifying both the obvious costs and the details that can make or break a project's profitability.

Primary Responsibilities

Estimating & Bid Preparation

• Review plans, specifications, drawings, bid packages, addenda, and customer requirements to determine project scope.
• Prepare detailed material and quantity takeoffs for steel pipe, fittings, fabricated components, coatings, linings, and other project requirements.
• Estimate material, labor, fabrication, equipment, subcontractor, freight, and other costs associated with completing the work.
• Develop clear, accurate, and competitive project estimates in accordance with Sonoran's estimating processes.
• Identify assumptions, exclusions, alternates, allowances, and potential project risks.
• Maintain supporting calculations, worksheets, vendor quotes, and documentation for each estimate.
• Review bid requirements and deadlines to ensure estimates and proposals are completed accurately and on time.

Plan, Specification & Technical Review

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, pipeline plans, specifications, details, and technical documentation.
• Review pipe sizes, wall thicknesses, fittings, specials, connections, coatings, linings, materials, quantities, and other project requirements.
• Identify discrepancies, missing information, unusual specifications, or scope conflicts requiring clarification.
• Coordinate technical questions with Engineering and Project Management before finalizing estimates.
• Assist with preparing bid questions, clarifications, and Requests for Information when necessary.
• Review applicable project standards and customer requirements that may affect material selection, fabrication, testing, inspection, or cost.

Vendor & Material Pricing

• Obtain and evaluate pricing from suppliers, subcontractors, freight providers, and other vendors.
• Maintain current knowledge of material pricing, lead times, freight considerations, and vendor capabilities.
• Compare vendor quotations for pricing, scope, exclusions, delivery requirements, and commercial terms.
• Work with Purchasing and Operations to identify appropriate sourcing strategies.
• Maintain organized vendor quotations and historical pricing information to support future estimates.

Production & Fabrication Costing

• Work with Plant Operations to understand fabrication methods, labor requirements, equipment needs, and production capacity.
• Estimate fabrication hours and manufacturing requirements based on project scope.
• Consider material utilization, scrap, welding, fit-up, coatings, linings, testing, inspection, and other manufacturing requirements when developing estimates.
• Use historical project information and actual production results to improve future estimating accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining project specifications and quality requirements.

Project Handoff & Coordination

• Participate in estimate reviews prior to bid submission.
• Provide Project Managers with a clear handoff when projects are awarded.
• Communicate estimated quantities, pricing assumptions, vendor quotations, exclusions, special requirements, and identified risks.
• Assist Project Management with resolving questions regarding the original estimate throughout project execution.
• Compare estimated versus actual project costs when appropriate and use findings to improve future estimates.