Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator – Mechanical & Structural

Location: Westminster, CO
Compensation: $130,000–$180,000 base salary, depending on level of experience
Bonus: 10%–20% bonus potential
Additional Benefits: 4% 401(k) match, $1,000/month vehicle allowance or company truck plus gas card, and cell phone reimbursement

About the Role

Innovar Group is seeking a Chief Estimator – Mechanical & Structural for a leadership role supporting heavy industrial, process facility, mechanical, structural, civil, and piping construction estimates across the West Region. This position will oversee estimating efforts for mechanical and structural scopes while managing and developing a small team of estimators.

This is a manager-level role that requires both hands-on estimating expertise and prior experience leading direct reports. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment and partnering closely with preconstruction, operations, project delivery, and leadership teams.

The role is based in Westminster, CO, with a hybrid schedule that includes office time, field/site visits, remote work, and travel throughout the region. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead estimating efforts for mechanical, structural, civil, piping, and heavy industrial/process facility projects.

• Manage and develop a team of mechanical and structural estimators.

• Review scopes of work, drawings, specifications, quantities, labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor/vendor pricing.

• Prepare, validate, and review estimates for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project requirements.

• Support bid strategy, risk review, and project pursuit decisions.

• Participate in bid reviews and help ensure estimates are complete, competitive, and aligned with company standards.

• Partner with preconstruction, operations, project management, field leadership, and executive teams throughout the estimating process.

• Support estimating resource planning, workload management, and team accountability.

• Maintain estimating tools, templates, historical data, and cost databases.

• Support cost control, production rate analysis, and continuous improvement of estimating processes.

• Help develop and maintain estimating standards, best practices, and SOPs.

• Ensure estimating activities support safety, quality, schedule, budget, and operational expectations.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of experience in heavy industrial or process facility estimating and cost control.

• Estimating experience across civil, structural, mechanical, or piping disciplines.

• Prior experience managing at least one direct report.

• Strong hands-on estimating background with the ability to review and validate detailed estimates.

• Experience with HeavyBid and Accubid is required.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong understanding of labor rates, production rates, materials, equipment, subcontractor/vendor quotes, and bid documentation.

• Ability to work effectively with preconstruction, operations, field, project delivery, and leadership teams.

• Strong communication, leadership, organization, and analytical skills.

• Ability to work in a hybrid environment with travel throughout the assigned territory.

• OSHA certification or equivalent safety training.

Preferred Experience

• Experience estimating mechanical and structural scopes for industrial, mission-critical, manufacturing, utility, energy, or process facility projects.

• Experience leading estimating teams in a regional or multi-project environment.

• Experience maintaining estimating systems, templates, master estimates, or cost databases.

• Exposure to bid strategy, risk review, Go/No-Go discussions, and preconstruction planning.

• Experience supporting large-scale, complex, or multi-discipline construction projects.

About Innovar Group

Innovar Group is a team of experienced talent agents dedicated to providing top-notch recruitment services across the United States. We''re committed to revolutionizing the recruiting industry by merging cutting-edge technology with exceptional talent. For more information, visit our website at www.innovargroup.com.

At Innovar Group, we are committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Our employment decisions are solely based on merit, and we do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and expression), national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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