Senior Mechanical Estimator
Apply NowCompany: LightEdison
Location: Bozeman, MT 59715
Description:
Senior Mechanical Estimator (Pile Install, Racking Install, Module Install)
About LightEdison
LightEdison is a Bozeman headquartered rapidly growing provider of utility scale solar EPC, BESS, and energy construction services. Over time, we are expanding into data center energy solutions and natural gas projects, strengthening our position as a comprehensive energy infrastructure company. We drive outcomes through execution, leveraging deep industry expertise, and delivering high-quality, scalable solutions that maximize client value.
Job Summary
The Senior Mechanical Estimator is responsible for the preparation and management of detailed
cost estimates for mechanical aspects of solar energy projects, focusing on pile installation,
racking installation, and module installation. This role requires a deep understanding of
mechanical systems and processes involved in large-scale solar power projects, including
ground-mounted and fixed tilt solar arrays. The Senior Mechanical Estimator will assess project
plans, specifications, and designs to develop accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost
estimates for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
This position demands a high level of technical expertise, project management skills, and the
ability to collaborate effectively with project teams, clients, vendors, and subcontractors.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Pre-construction Estimating
Analyze bid documents, specifications, design plans, and other technical data to develop
accurate cost estimates for mechanical systems involved in solar installations, including
pile driving, racking systems, and module installations.
Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and design teams to ensure a clear
understanding of project scope, technical specifications, and objectives.
Perform mechanical take-offs for pile installation (helical, driven piles, or concrete
foundations), racking system installation, and module assembly.
Quantify and assess all materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractors necessary for
mechanical installations, ensuring a thorough and accurate cost estimate.
Develop detailed mechanical scope of work documents, ensuring comprehensive
coverage of all systems and processes involved in pile, racking, and module installations.
2. Cost Control & Budget Management
Utilize historical data, industry trends, and vendor quotes to inform cost estimates and
ensure competitive pricing.
Identify opportunities for cost savings by proposing alternative methods, materials, or
design adjustments while maintaining safety and performance standards.
Provide input into risk management strategies by identifying potential risks and
developing contingency plans for mechanical elements of the project.
3. Tender Preparation & Submission
Lead the preparation of detailed tender proposals for mechanical systems, ensuring timely
and accurate submission that aligns with client specifications and project objectives.
Collaborate with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive quotes for
mechanical components, including piles, racking systems, and mounting structures.
Review subcontractor proposals, ensuring the accuracy of scope, pricing, and schedule.
Prepare and submit comprehensive bids, including detailed breakdowns of mechanical
costs, materials, labor, and schedules.
4. Collaboration & Communication
Coordinate and collaborate with internal project teams, subcontractors, vendors, and
clients to ensure clear communication of project requirements, changes, and challenges.
Provide detailed feedback on cost and schedule implications when changes occur,
offering solutions or alternatives when appropriate.
Communicate with external stakeholders, including clients and subcontractors, to clarify
mechanical systems, ensure alignment on scope, and resolve issues as they arise.
5. Project Lifecycle Support
Assist in post-bid activities, including clarifications and negotiations, to finalize scope
and pricing for mechanical systems and installations.
Support the project team during construction by providing estimates for change orders or
modifications, ensuring mechanical systems are delivered on time and within budget.
Identify discrepancies between original estimates and actual costs, providing solutions to
mitigate any budget overruns or delays.
6. Team Leadership & Development
Supervise and mentor junior estimators, offering guidance on estimating practices, cost
control strategies, and mechanical installation techniques.
Lead the development and refinement of estimating processes, templates, and tools to
improve efficiency and accuracy within the team.
Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment, ensuring best practices are
followed in mechanical estimating.
7. Market & Industry Knowledge
Stay up-to-date with the latest mechanical technologies, construction methodologies, and
market conditions related to pile installation, racking systems, and module installation in
the solar energy sector.
Monitor emerging trends in solar technology, such as advancements in mounting systems,
pile-driving techniques, and module assembly.
Conduct market research to evaluate labor rates, material costs, and equipment
availability, ensuring cost estimates reflect current industry standards.
Expectations & Qualifications:
Educational Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related
field.
Certifications in estimating (e.g., Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), Associate in
Estimating (AE)) or project management (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP))
are a plus.
Experience:
Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in mechanical estimating within the construction
industry, with specific expertise in pile installation, racking systems, and module
installation for solar projects.
Proven experience in estimating mechanical systems for large-scale solar projects,
including the ability to accurately cost labor, materials, and equipment.
Familiarity with mechanical estimating software (e.g., Accubid, or similar tools) and
proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong understanding of mechanical processes and systems used in pile driving, racking
installation, and module assembly.
Skills & Competencies:
Mechanical Expertise: Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and components used
in solar projects, including foundation piles (driven, helical, or concrete), mounting
structures, and module installation.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting
deadlines and ensuring that estimates align with project objectives.
Leadership: Ability to supervise and mentor a team of estimators, fostering collaboration
and continuous improvement in estimating practices.
Problem-Solving: Analytical thinking to identify cost-effective solutions and resolve
issues related to mechanical systems and installations.
Attention to Detail: Precision and accuracy in estimating mechanical systems, ensuring
all necessary components and steps are considered.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively
collaborate with internal teams, subcontractors, clients, and suppliers.
Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate favorable pricing, terms, and conditions with
subcontractors, suppliers, and clients.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to work in both office settings and on job sites for site evaluations, progress
checks, and coordination meetings.
Occasional travel to project sites may be required.
Work Environment:
Office-based with regular visits to job sites to evaluate mechanical system installations
and review project scope and progress.
Collaborative work environment, interacting with project managers, engineers, clients,
subcontractors, and vendors.
Career Development:
Opportunities for continued professional development, including advanced certifications,
training in new technologies, and leadership opportunities.
Potential career progression into senior roles in estimating, project management, or other
leadership positions within the company.
About LightEdison
LightEdison is a Bozeman headquartered rapidly growing provider of utility scale solar EPC, BESS, and energy construction services. Over time, we are expanding into data center energy solutions and natural gas projects, strengthening our position as a comprehensive energy infrastructure company. We drive outcomes through execution, leveraging deep industry expertise, and delivering high-quality, scalable solutions that maximize client value.
Job Summary
The Senior Mechanical Estimator is responsible for the preparation and management of detailed
cost estimates for mechanical aspects of solar energy projects, focusing on pile installation,
racking installation, and module installation. This role requires a deep understanding of
mechanical systems and processes involved in large-scale solar power projects, including
ground-mounted and fixed tilt solar arrays. The Senior Mechanical Estimator will assess project
plans, specifications, and designs to develop accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost
estimates for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
This position demands a high level of technical expertise, project management skills, and the
ability to collaborate effectively with project teams, clients, vendors, and subcontractors.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Pre-construction Estimating
Analyze bid documents, specifications, design plans, and other technical data to develop
accurate cost estimates for mechanical systems involved in solar installations, including
pile driving, racking systems, and module installations.
Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and design teams to ensure a clear
understanding of project scope, technical specifications, and objectives.
Perform mechanical take-offs for pile installation (helical, driven piles, or concrete
foundations), racking system installation, and module assembly.
Quantify and assess all materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractors necessary for
mechanical installations, ensuring a thorough and accurate cost estimate.
Develop detailed mechanical scope of work documents, ensuring comprehensive
coverage of all systems and processes involved in pile, racking, and module installations.
2. Cost Control & Budget Management
Utilize historical data, industry trends, and vendor quotes to inform cost estimates and
ensure competitive pricing.
Identify opportunities for cost savings by proposing alternative methods, materials, or
design adjustments while maintaining safety and performance standards.
Provide input into risk management strategies by identifying potential risks and
developing contingency plans for mechanical elements of the project.
3. Tender Preparation & Submission
Lead the preparation of detailed tender proposals for mechanical systems, ensuring timely
and accurate submission that aligns with client specifications and project objectives.
Collaborate with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive quotes for
mechanical components, including piles, racking systems, and mounting structures.
Review subcontractor proposals, ensuring the accuracy of scope, pricing, and schedule.
Prepare and submit comprehensive bids, including detailed breakdowns of mechanical
costs, materials, labor, and schedules.
4. Collaboration & Communication
Coordinate and collaborate with internal project teams, subcontractors, vendors, and
clients to ensure clear communication of project requirements, changes, and challenges.
Provide detailed feedback on cost and schedule implications when changes occur,
offering solutions or alternatives when appropriate.
Communicate with external stakeholders, including clients and subcontractors, to clarify
mechanical systems, ensure alignment on scope, and resolve issues as they arise.
5. Project Lifecycle Support
Assist in post-bid activities, including clarifications and negotiations, to finalize scope
and pricing for mechanical systems and installations.
Support the project team during construction by providing estimates for change orders or
modifications, ensuring mechanical systems are delivered on time and within budget.
Identify discrepancies between original estimates and actual costs, providing solutions to
mitigate any budget overruns or delays.
6. Team Leadership & Development
Supervise and mentor junior estimators, offering guidance on estimating practices, cost
control strategies, and mechanical installation techniques.
Lead the development and refinement of estimating processes, templates, and tools to
improve efficiency and accuracy within the team.
Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment, ensuring best practices are
followed in mechanical estimating.
7. Market & Industry Knowledge
Stay up-to-date with the latest mechanical technologies, construction methodologies, and
market conditions related to pile installation, racking systems, and module installation in
the solar energy sector.
Monitor emerging trends in solar technology, such as advancements in mounting systems,
pile-driving techniques, and module assembly.
Conduct market research to evaluate labor rates, material costs, and equipment
availability, ensuring cost estimates reflect current industry standards.
Expectations & Qualifications:
Educational Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related
field.
Certifications in estimating (e.g., Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), Associate in
Estimating (AE)) or project management (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP))
are a plus.
Experience:
Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in mechanical estimating within the construction
industry, with specific expertise in pile installation, racking systems, and module
installation for solar projects.
Proven experience in estimating mechanical systems for large-scale solar projects,
including the ability to accurately cost labor, materials, and equipment.
Familiarity with mechanical estimating software (e.g., Accubid, or similar tools) and
proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong understanding of mechanical processes and systems used in pile driving, racking
installation, and module assembly.
Skills & Competencies:
Mechanical Expertise: Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and components used
in solar projects, including foundation piles (driven, helical, or concrete), mounting
structures, and module installation.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting
deadlines and ensuring that estimates align with project objectives.
Leadership: Ability to supervise and mentor a team of estimators, fostering collaboration
and continuous improvement in estimating practices.
Problem-Solving: Analytical thinking to identify cost-effective solutions and resolve
issues related to mechanical systems and installations.
Attention to Detail: Precision and accuracy in estimating mechanical systems, ensuring
all necessary components and steps are considered.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively
collaborate with internal teams, subcontractors, clients, and suppliers.
Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate favorable pricing, terms, and conditions with
subcontractors, suppliers, and clients.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to work in both office settings and on job sites for site evaluations, progress
checks, and coordination meetings.
Occasional travel to project sites may be required.
Work Environment:
Office-based with regular visits to job sites to evaluate mechanical system installations
and review project scope and progress.
Collaborative work environment, interacting with project managers, engineers, clients,
subcontractors, and vendors.
Career Development:
Opportunities for continued professional development, including advanced certifications,
training in new technologies, and leadership opportunities.
Potential career progression into senior roles in estimating, project management, or other
leadership positions within the company.