Project Manager / Estimator - Experienced Hire - Mechanical Insulation

Do you think like a business owner, build relationships that last, and take pride in delivering results?

The future at Luse is bright, and we're looking for ambitious, talented professionals to help build it. Join a fifth-generation family business where your contributions matter, your relationships are valued, and you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Let's build our future together.

Luse Contracting Group (www.luse.com) is a multifaceted construction services provider headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. Founded by D. Claude Luse in 1923, we are a fifth-generation family business with more than 100 years of experience and a deeply rooted, values-driven culture.

As the oldest mechanical insulation contractor in our market, we've built our reputation on delivering quality work, honoring our commitments, and developing lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and industry partners.

At Luse, we believe our greatest competitive advantage is our people. Our four cultural cornerstones—Family, Trust, Humility, and Generosity—guide how we work together and serve our customers. Our vision is to grow our business so that we can have an increasingly positive impact on people and the planet.

We bring a philosophy of continuous improvement to everything we do, constantly seeking better ways to serve our customers, support our employees, and strengthen our business. From complex industrial facilities and power generation to commercial construction and emerging technology infrastructure, our mechanical insulation teams take pride in their ability to deliver across a wide range of markets.

Adding talent to our team is a key component of our ambitious growth plan.

In this role, you'll take ownership of mechanical insulation projects throughout Greater Chicagoland, from identifying opportunities and developing estimates to contract execution, financial management, and successful closeout.

You'll be entrusted with managing an established and growing portfolio of business, with an anticipated annual project volume of $3-4 million once fully established.

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with commercial judgment, financial discipline, and strong relationship-building skills. You'll be a trusted partner to our customers, an effective collaborator with our field teams, and a key contributor to the continued success of our Wisconsin operations.

Above all, you'll take pride in making Luse the "easy button" for our customers—someone they can count on to deliver solutions, communicate proactively, and follow through on commitments.

Estimating & Business Development

• Identify, estimate, and secure profitable mechanical insulation projects, developing competitive proposals through field takeoffs, labor analysis, and careful evaluation of scope and risk.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with contractors, facility owners, and industry partners to generate new opportunities and repeat business.

• Manage an active pipeline of opportunities, negotiate project scope and pricing, and contribute to sales and backlog forecasting.

Project Management & Execution

• Take ownership of projects from initial estimate through final closeout, ensuring safe, timely, high-quality, and profitable execution.

• Collaborate with field leadership to plan manpower, schedules, materials, and project execution, maintaining an active jobsite presence.

• Proactively resolve project challenges, manage changes in scope, and ensure timely documentation, communication, and change order recovery.

Financial Management & Risk Control

• Own project financial performance, maintaining accurate budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts, profitability projections, and timely billing.

• Monitor labor productivity and project costs, identify variances and risks early, and take corrective action to protect project outcomes.

• Administer contractual requirements and maintain disciplined project documentation, reporting, and compliance with company procedures.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate across Luse's field and office teams, embrace technology and continuous improvement, and contribute to a culture of accountability, teamwork, and exceptional customer service.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in mechanical insulation, mechanical contracting, or a closely related construction discipline.

• Demonstrated success estimating and managing a substantial annual portfolio of construction projects.

• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical insulation systems, labor productivity, estimating, and construction operations.

• Proven financial acumen, including project budgeting, cost forecasting, and contract administration.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, computerized estimating software, blueprint reading, and field takeoffs.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and organizational skills.

• Self-motivated, accountable, and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and a commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience considered.

Success at Luse goes beyond winning bids and completing projects. You'll thrive here if you take ownership of your results, build lasting relationships, embrace continuous improvement, and take pride in doing things the right way. Above all, we seek self-aware, team-oriented individuals who share our commitment to personal and professional growth and embody our cultural cornerstones: Family, Trust, Humility, and Generosity.

This is a salaried position ($70,000-100,000) with an established performance-based bonus plan.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Mileage reimbursement

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) participation and generous match

• Life insurance

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick pay

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

Join a company that's been trusted for generations—and help us build the next one.

Luse Contracting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.