Technical Project Estimator
The Opportunity
StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a Technical Project Estimator to join a custom equipment manufacturer specializing in water treatment and process systems. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Columbia, South Carolina.
As the Technical Project Estimator, you will operate where business development, engineering, and project execution meet. You will shape pricing strategy, weigh technical risk, and construct detailed bottom-up cost models covering materials, labor, and vendor pricing. Working alongside engineering, manufacturing, quality, and finance, you will put numbers to risk, set clear scope boundaries, and guide leadership on which opportunities to pursue.
What You'll Do
- Spearhead technical and financial risk reviews that inform executive Bid/No-Bid decisions.
- Gauge each project's technical feasibility, shop capacity, schedule limits, and cost drivers against the company's capabilities and margin goals.
- Craft risk mitigation plans and convert technical unknowns into quantified cost contingencies.
- Build detailed bottom-up estimates for custom equipment, process piping, skid assemblies, and turnkey systems, accounting for direct labor, materials, equipment, tooling, and subcontracted work.
- Recommend contingency, overhead, and margin levels grounded in each project's risk profile and technical complexity.
- Dissect client RFPs, technical specifications, P&IDs, 3D models, and scope documents to capture exact technical requirements.
- Request, compare, and negotiate supplier and subcontractor pricing so quotes align with quality standards and client specifications.
What You Bring
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered in place of a degree.
- 10-15+ years of professional experience in Project Estimating, Technical Project Management, or Application Engineering within a custom equipment manufacturing or industrial plant setting.
- Demonstrated ability to read and price directly from P&IDs, Fabrication Drawings, Material Take-Offs, and client Technical Specifications.
- Strength in Bottom-Up Cost Estimating, Risk Assessment, and Bid/No-Bid Analysis.
- Experience with Vendor Quote Evaluation and Subcontractor Negotiation.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
Compensation & Total Rewards
- Salary: $120,000 to $150,000, based on experience and skill set
- Engagement: Full-time, direct hire; on-site in Columbia, SC
- Benefits: 401(k); medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability and life insurance; generous paid time off and holidays; a flexible work schedule; relocation assistance
Joining StaffRight Associates
When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you're doing more than pursuing a job, you're aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.
