Job Title: Senior Level Estimator
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Houston, TX

About Our Client
Our client is committed to matching the needs of their customers with products and services that provide value, conserve resources, improve environmental quality to increase production, reduce downtime, and assist in the development of new products. They accomplish this through the design, fabrication, testing, and maintenance of heat exchangers and related process equipment. As a leading provider of heat transfer and custom-engineered fabricated solutions along the Gulf Coast Region, they serve a broad range of industries including energy, petrochemical, specialty chemical, renewables, and biofuels.

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented, self-motivated Senior Level Estimator with strong technical expertise, sound judgement, and proven decision-making skills. The successful candidate will support the sales process by preparing accurate, competitive quotes for shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and other custom fabricated equipment primarily serving the petrochemical, refining, and midstream industries as well as other emerging markets.

This position requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting critical deadlines. The ideal candidate must remain calm under pressure and work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment while demonstrating professionalism, dependability, and a strong customer-focused mindset. In addition to primary estimating responsibilities, the Senior Estimator will be expected to mentor junior estimators and contribute to the continuous improvement of the estimating processes and departmental standards.

The ideal candidate demonstrates excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, exercises sound technical judgement, and takes initiative in developing and improving estimating procedures, templates, and best practices. This individual possesses outstanding written and verbal communication skills, exceptional time management, and the ability to build strong working relationships with customers, vendors, engineering, sales, and manufacturing teams. A commitment to continuous learning, leadership, and delivery of high-quality work is essential to success in this role.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare cost estimates and commercial proposals for new shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, replacement bundles, and repair projects.

• Review RFQs, drawings, specifications, customer standards, and technical documentation to fully evaluate project scope, identify any risks, and develop competitive bid strategies.

• Communicate directly with customers to clarify technical requirements, commercial terms, delivery expectations, and project scope throughout the bid process.

• Create detailed material takeoffs, bills of material (BOMs), and labor estimates to support accurate project costing.

• Analyze fabrication methods, code requirements, and production capabilities to optimize pricing while maintaining compliance with customer specification quality standards.

• Coordinate with engineering, production, purchasing, quality, and project teams to ensure all technical and commercial requirements are accurately reflected in the proposal.

• Interpret and verify customer specifications, ASME Code requirements, and material specifications to ensure compliance throughout the estimating process.

• Evaluate and negotiate pricing and lead times with material suppliers to develop the most competitive proposals.

• Review vendor quotes for technical compliance, commercial completeness, and alignment with project requirements.

• Identify project risks and opportunities and recommend pricing strategies and delivery schedules.

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior estimators by reviewing estimates, sharing best practices, and supporting technical development within the estimating team.

• Collaborate with operations to ensure quote schedules align with manufacturing capacity, material availability, and project priorities.

• Maintain organized quote files, documentation, and estimating records while ensuring bid deadlines are met.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing awarded and lost projects, incorporating customer feedback, and identifying opportunities to improve estimating accuracy and competitiveness.

• Stay current on ASME Code requirements, fabrication methods, metallurgy, market conditions, material pricing, and industry trends through ongoing training and development.

Competencies

• Strong ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, customer specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and technical documentation.

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to prioritize multiple RFQs and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven experience developing complete cost estimates from customer-provided specifications, drawings, and project documentation.

• Experience with project takeoffs, material costing, labor estimating, and pricing strategy.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and ERP Systems.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to mentor junior estimators and support the continuous improvement of the estimating process and best practices.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field required.

• Minimum 5 to 7 years of estimating experience in custom fabrication, manufacturing, project engineering, inside sales, or a related industrial environment.

• Experience estimating ASME pressure vessels, shell and tube heat exchangers, or similar engineered equipment.