Mechanical Estimator

Job Title: Mechanical Estimator
Department: Preconstruction / Estimating
Reports To: Estimating Manager / Director of Operations

Position Summary

The Mechanical Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates for industrial construction projects, including plant maintenance, outages, short shutdowns, and major turnarounds. This role requires a strong understanding of mechanical systems, field execution strategies, and fabrication processes, including work performed in custom fabrication and CNC/conventional machine shops.

The estimator collaborates closely with operations, project management, engineering, and shop personnel to develop detailed cost proposals that align with client requirements and company capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret project drawings, specifications, bid documents, and scope requirements.
• Develop detailed cost estimates for:
• • Industrial piping systems (process, utility, high-pressure)
  • Equipment setting, alignment, and installation
  • Structural steel and mechanical installations
  • Outages, shutdowns, and turnarounds (TARs)
  • Maintenance contracts and emergency repair work
• Perform quantity takeoffs and labor calculations based on field conditions and execution strategies.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotes.
• Work closely with fabrication shop teams to estimate:
• • Custom fabricated components
  • CNC and conventional machining requirements
  • Material costs and shop labor hours
• Develop labor, equipment, and material cost breakdowns using historical data and industry standards.
• Incorporate schedule constraints, overtime, shift work, and outage-specific conditions into estimates.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and client walkthroughs.
• Identify risks, constructability issues, and value engineering opportunities.
• Prepare comprehensive bid packages and proposals, including clarifications and exclusions.
• Support project handoff meetings to operations teams upon award.
• Maintain and update estimating databases, cost history, and productivity rates.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience in industrial construction or maintenance environments.
• Strong knowledge of:
• • Industrial piping systems and mechanical installations
  • Turnarounds, outages, and shutdown planning
  • Fabrication processes and machining (CNC and manual)
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, isometrics, GA drawings, and specifications.
• Proficiency in estimating software and tools (e.g.,  Word, Excel, Bluebeam, Net Suite, Job Boss2, and takeoff software).
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, equipment usage, and field execution methods.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Salary will depend on experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in chemical plants, power plants, pulp & paper, or similar industrial facilities.
• Knowledge of ASME codes, welding procedures, and QA/QC requirements.
• Familiarity with scheduling tools (Primavera P6, MS Project) is a plus.
• Experience estimating time-and-material (T&M) and lump-sum projects.

Work Environment

• Combination of office-based estimating and field/site visits.
• Occasional travel required for site walkthroughs and client meetings.
• Fast-paced environment with deadlines aligned to outage and turnaround schedules.

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Understanding of industrial construction safety standards

Performance Expectations

• Deliver accurate and competitive estimates on time.
• Support successful project execution through effective preconstruction planning.
• Contribute to win rates and profitability of projects.
• Continuously improve estimating accuracy through lessons learned and cost tracking.

Industrial Manufacturing was established in 1979 to accommodate the needs of Albany’s growing industrial base in the areas of emergency repairs and precision replacement parts. We soon expanded our customer base outside the Southwest Georgia area. Today, in addition to being the Southeast’s leading source for high-precision OEM parts and providing a just-in-time (JIT) stocked parts program for our customers, our company has matured into a dynamic organization that is willing to accept the responsibility of finding solutions for customers’ problems and challenges.

We have a tremendous investment in conventional equipment, as well as an impressive group of computer numerical controlled (CNC) based milling and turning centers. These capabilities let us run high-precision, large quantity parts orders under the most demanding deadlines. From intricate machine work to original fabrication, absolutely no company can match the quality work of our master craftsmen.

We are completely vertically integrated, and our in-house engineering staff has earned a national and an international reputation for inspired original design and automation systems and improving existing systems. Quality control starts the minute a job comes into the plant.

Whether it’s manufacturing parts for existing equipment or designing entire new systems, the employees of Industrial Manufacturing thrive on solving our customer’s problems. Quality is always the first priority. We welcome the opportunity to work for your company. Just contact us, and one of our experienced sales professionals will be glad to meet with you about your design and manufacturing needs.