Job Title: Senior Lead estimator – Structural Steel / Industrial
Company: Loenbro, LLC
Business Unit/Department: Estimating
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Reports to: Chief Estimator
Employment Type: Full Time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
About Loenbro
Loenbro is a trusted, long-term construction lifecycle partner to thousands of customers across the U.S. Our market spans all industries, and our service offerings include Critical Electrical, Mechanical & Structural, Soft Crafts, Inspection, Underground Maintenance and Installation, and Fabrication. Our expertise lies in simplifying the complex and establishing long-standing relationships with our partners. We have a national presence but a local approach—every customer benefits from our capabilities and our care.
At Loenbro, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers grounded in integrity, teamwork, excellence, and purpose. Join a team where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your work helps maintain and enhance the critical infrastructure that powers communities across the nation.
Job Summary
The Senior Steel Estimator is a key leader within the Estimating Group, responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive steel construction estimates for complex, high-risk or specialized industrial projects. This role oversees the full steel estimating process including quantity takeoffs, labor and equipment analysis, material pricing, subcontractor evaluations, and risk assessments for projects up to $25M or higher depending on scope and self‑performance. The Senior Steel Estimator interprets structural drawings along with other trades drawings, specifications, and contract documents to build detailed work breakdown structures and precise cost models.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Project Estimation:
- A $25M standalone steel package is a bit of a "unicorn" for a traditional steel estimator. either specify it (steel with MEP package) or lower to $15M+.
- Validate quantity take-offs and ensure accurate input into estimating software.
- Apply advanced cost analysis and contingency planning for risk mitigation.
- Estimating heavy infrastructure - water & wastewater treatment plants, data centers, mining, and Industrial facilities.
- Estimating bids for structural steel, miscellaneous metals, and specialized non-ferrous metals (aluminum and stainless steel).
- Serve as a discipline technical authority for scope, productivity, pricing, constructability, and execution assumptions.
- Provide independent QA/QC for significant pursuits.
- Develop conceptual, design-assist, design-build, and alternative-delivery estimates using sound historical and market data.
- Advise Operations and leadership on risk, contingency, value engineering, procurement strategy, and commercial position.
- Mentor estimators and improve technical consistency without requiring formal personnel-management responsibility.
- Ability to be the lead estimator on a team/group estimate.
- Lead estimate turnover and lessons-learned activities for assigned pursuits.
Technical Expertise:
- Utilize Bluebeam Revu Studio Projects and Sessions software for accurate and efficient estimating.
- Incorporate design methodologies such as Design-Assist and Design-Build when applicable.
- Ability to network, build trust and relationship with team members, vendors, subcontractors and clients.
- Communicate clearly with operations, procurement, and project management teams during preconstruction.
- Recognize technical authority in the assigned discipline and demonstrated ability to lead complex scope integration, technical review, and development of others.
- Ability to manage multiple complex bids simultaneously.
- Develop and maintain cost data, benchmarks, tools, templates, and technical estimating methods.
Process Management:
- Develop and enforce estimating procedures, including pre-estimate checklists and opportunity matrices.
- Support the Chief Estimator on regional priorities, workload, reviews, and development activities as assigned.
- Ensure compliance with contractual requirements and company standards.
Strategic Contributions:
- Provide pragmatic analysis of project execution to optimize efficiency and profitability.
- Support business development and sales with conceptual estimates and ROM pricing for new opportunities.
- Strong understanding and able to articulate scope boundaries and value engineering options.
Other duties may be assigned as needed to support business operations.
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
- Minimum of 8-12+ years of relevant industrial construction steel estimating or equivalent directly applicable construction experience
- Tekla Structures or PowerFAB experience 5+ years and/or modeling software.
- Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written.
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Extensive estimating experience and recognized technical authority in at least one construction discipline.
- Demonstrate success, leading complex or high-risk pursuits with minimal oversight.
- Advanced capability in estimate strategy, cost development, risk, QA/QC, and cross-functional coordination.
- Advanced proficiency with applicable estimating, takeoff, reporting, and document-management systems.
- Managing pressure (unpredictable repricing schedules, tight bid deadlines). Proven ability to maintain accuracy and leadership composure under tight, fluctuating bid deadlines.
- Ability to mentor others and influence consistent estimating practices.
Preferred:
- Relevant degree, technical training, field experience, or professional certification.
- Direct Involvement in civil, concrete, process piping and equipment setting.
- At least 2 years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated conceptual, alternative-delivery, multi-discipline, or major-project experience.
- HCSS HeavyBid software proficiency.
- Experience handling federal and public Works projects with strict procurement and standards.
- Experience in CA / LA County requirements, Northern/Southern California seismic design impacts on steel fabrication and erection
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of both shop fabrication capabilities and field erection methodologies, (labor logistics, crane constraints, equipment access to building, site access limitations, and multi-phase scheduling).
- Ability to travel periodically to offices, client locations, and project sites. Travel Requirements: 10–15% travel expected, primarily for client meetings and site walks. Commute: hybrid or onsite.
Potential Hazards:
- Potential exposure to extreme cold and hot temperatures
- Exposure to manufacturing, pipeline, and refining environment
- Exposure to noise above 85 decibels and intense odors
- Exposure to areas with limited visibility
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Climbing up and down stairs and ladders to both get in and out of trenches and up to elevated platforms, including scaffolding at significant heights.
- Lifting necessary equipment and materials 1–50 pounds, 50% of the time on a monthly basis for required tasks
- Potential or periodic requirements may include the following:
- Walking on uneven terrain, with an average of 2 miles per day
- Standing
- Sitting, stooping, crawling, and kneeling
- Use of respirator if position requires
- Driving if required to travel
- If driving is required, a valid driver’s license and proof of insurability are required. All drivers are subject to a DMV background records search.
Benefits
Loenbro offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and rewards to those who join our team:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay
- Life and disability insurance
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
Benefits eligibility may vary based on employment classification and hours worked.
Guided by Core Values (LEAD), grounded in grit and a commitment to excellence, Loenbro betters our families, customers, and local communities. If you’re ready to be part of a company that LEADS by:
- Living with Integrity
- Exceeding Expectations
- Acting with Urgency
- Delivering Excellence
…we want to hear from you.
Loenbro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job will remain open until filled.
