Senior Steel Estimator (Livonia, MI)

Senior Steel Estimator

Position Overview

The Senior Steel Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost estimates and bid proposals for steel fabrication, structural steel, and related construction projects. This role leads hard bids, develops conceptual estimates and project budgets, evaluates supplier and subcontractor proposals, and identifies cost-effective solutions that align with project specifications, quality standards, schedules, and client requirements.

Working closely with preconstruction, engineering, procurement, business development, and operations teams, the Senior Steel Estimator plays a critical role in evaluating project opportunities, managing estimating activities, and supporting successful project awards. The ideal candidate brings extensive estimating experience, strong knowledge of steel construction methods and materials, and the ability to independently develop and present detailed proposals while maintaining positive relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Steel Estimating & Bid Preparation

• Review project drawings, specifications, bid documents, and contractual requirements to establish the scope of work and determine estimating requirements.
• Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for structural steel, steel fabrication, erection, and related construction activities, as applicable to project scope.
• Lead hard-bid estimating efforts, ensuring proposals are competitive, complete, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Develop comprehensive estimating documentation, including quantity takeoffs, labor calculations, material costs, equipment costs, subcontractor pricing, and other project-related expenses.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, preliminary budgets, and pricing proposals for projects at various stages of design and development.
• Identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, design considerations, and potential cost exposures within project documentation.
• Establish clear bid inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications, and clarifications to ensure proposals accurately reflect the intended scope of work.
• Develop detailed estimate backup documentation to support internal reviews, pricing decisions, and client discussions.
• Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, risk exposure, and alignment with company estimating standards before submission.

Supplier & Subcontractor Management

• Solicit project-specific pricing proposals from material suppliers, subcontractors, fabricators, and other vendors.
• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor bids for scope coverage, pricing competitiveness, technical compliance, delivery schedules, and commercial terms.
• Compare proposals and identify discrepancies, exclusions, and potential gaps that could affect overall project costs.
• Negotiate pricing, clarify scope requirements, and coordinate follow-up discussions to obtain complete and competitive bids.
• Develop alternative sourcing and procurement strategies to address material availability, cost fluctuations, and project schedule requirements.
• Maintain professional, ethical, and productive relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, engineers, consultants, and clients.
• Maintain current knowledge of supplier pricing, market conditions, material lead times, and industry trends that may affect project estimates.

Cost Analysis & Value Engineering

• Analyze material, labor, equipment, fabrication, erection, and subcontractor costs to develop reliable project budgets.
• Identify opportunities to reduce project costs without compromising structural integrity, quality, safety, or contractual requirements.
• Evaluate alternative materials, fabrication methods, construction approaches, and design options based on cost, engineering considerations, quality, and availability.
• Develop value engineering recommendations that improve project economics and support client objectives.
• Assess cost risks associated with design changes, material price fluctuations, labor availability, schedule constraints, and other project variables.
• Apply conceptual estimating methods and historical cost data to establish reasonable budgets when project information is incomplete.
• Use estimating benchmarks, productivity data, and historical project performance to improve pricing accuracy and consistency.
• Provide recommendations to management regarding bid strategy, pricing assumptions, and project competitiveness.

Proposal Development & Preconstruction

• Collaborate with preconstruction specialists and other stakeholders to prepare complete, professional bid proposals.
• Develop project narratives, preliminary schedules, organizational charts, pricing summaries, and other supporting proposal materials as required.
• Ensure proposals clearly communicate scope, pricing, assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, and proposed project execution considerations.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, bid reviews, and project scope discussions as needed.
• Coordinate with engineering and operations teams to validate constructability, labor assumptions, production requirements, and schedule considerations.
• Prepare conceptual proposals and preliminary budgets to support business development, client retention, and early project planning.
• Contribute estimating expertise during pursuit strategy discussions and help identify project opportunities aligned with organizational capabilities.
• Ensure estimating deliverables are completed accurately and submitted in accordance with client requirements and bid deadlines.

Contract Review & Project Support

• Assist operations teams with awarded projects to support the transition from estimating to project execution.
• Review awarded estimates, assumptions, scope qualifications, and supplier proposals to facilitate a clear handoff to project teams.
• Assist with pricing change orders, evaluating scope modifications, and preparing cost analyses for proposed project changes.
• Support the resolution of contractual scope questions, pricing discrepancies, and other commercial issues.
• Collaborate with project managers and operations personnel to evaluate cost impacts associated with design revisions, schedule changes, and unforeseen conditions.
• Provide historical estimating information and supporting documentation to assist with project budgeting and cost control.
• Review actual project costs and performance data, when available, to identify estimating variances and improve future bid accuracy.

Estimating Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and update estimating databases, historical cost records, productivity benchmarks, and pricing information.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of estimating templates, methodologies, and standard procedures.
• Use estimating software, spreadsheets, and project management tools to organize cost data and support efficient bid preparation.
• Monitor industry standards, construction practices, material pricing trends, and emerging estimating technologies.
• Identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy, workflow efficiency, and proposal consistency.
• Maintain organized estimating files and ensure supporting documentation is accessible for review and future reference.

Qualifications

Education & Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of professional estimating experience in steel construction, structural steel, fabrication, industrial construction, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience preparing detailed estimates, competitive hard bids, conceptual budgets, and comprehensive proposals.
• Proven ability to manage estimating assignments independently, with minimal supervision.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings, technical specifications, bid documents, and contractual requirements.
• Experience soliciting and evaluating supplier and subcontractor proposals.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
• Experience with manufacturing, power, energy, industrial, or other complex construction projects is an advantage.

Technical & Estimating Skills

• Strong understanding of steel construction methods, fabrication processes, material requirements, and project cost drivers.
• Proficiency in quantity takeoffs, labor estimating, material pricing, subcontractor evaluation, and estimate development.
• Knowledge of conceptual estimating, cost analysis, value engineering, and construction cost control.
• Ability to identify scope gaps, evaluate project risks, and develop appropriate bid assumptions and qualifications.
• Understanding of construction schedules, project sequencing, productivity considerations, and material lead times.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and related estimating tools.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project or other scheduling systems.
• Experience with construction estimating software, cost databases, and digital takeoff tools is preferred.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation accurately.

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain bid inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, and proposal clarifications.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, owners, engineers, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Ability to collaborate with preconstruction, engineering, procurement, business development, and operations teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and commercial awareness.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional judgment and commitment to ethical business practices.