Estimator – Drive Precision Bidding & Cost Management
Job Overview:
- Company: Dakota Holdings
- Salary/Pay Rate: $85,000 - $110,000 per year
- Location: Pilot Point, Texas 76258
- Job/Employment Type: Full Time
- Project Scope: Commercial Structural Steel & Architectural Millwork
- Mandatory Licences & Certifications: None Required
The Opportunity
Staley Steel is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Structural Steel Estimator to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing accurate, competitive cost estimates for structural steel fabrication and erection projects. You will work closely with the General Manager, project managers, detailers, vendors, and general contractors to ensure every bid reflects a thorough understanding of scope, schedule, and cost.
How You Will Make an Impact:
- Perform detailed material takeoffs from contract drawings and specifications to establish project scope of work for subcontractor and supplier quote comparisons.
- Communicate with subcontractors and suppliers, including joist, deck, and other buyout trades, to provide all necessary project information to obtain accurate and complete bids.
- Build comprehensive cost estimates and quotes based on current pricing, internal material usage estimates, project updates, and information derived from contract drawings and specifications.
- Interpret contract drawings and project documents to identify steel type, quantity, grade, and fabrication requirements.
- Authority to prepare structural budget for contractors and design development for construction drawings.
- Coordinate with operations and shop teams to confirm fabrication and erection methods are reflected accurately in estimates.
- Solicit, confirm scope conformance and negotiate vendor and subcontractor pricing to support competitive bid development.
- Submit complete bid packages to clients and general contractors within required deadlines.
- Evaluate and price by market conditions any changes or addendums received on additional projects.
- Monitor market pricing for structural steel materials and stay current on industry developments.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Associate's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Structural Engineering, or a related field - OR - 2 to 5 years of directly related experience and training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong working knowledge of structural steel systems, fabrication methods, and erection processes.
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret contract drawings and project specifications.
- Basic understanding and the ability to read architectural drawings as it relates to structural design.
- The ability to estimate the architectural miscellaneous steel items, especially as it relates to budget projects is a plus.
- The ability or willingness to learn the fabrication and design structure for estimating stairs, guardrail and handrail, especially dealing with conceptual budget estimates.
- Willing to spend 4 to 6 weeks in the shop learning the fabrication process start to finish, to better understand estimating the structural steel as it relates to the shop.
- Proficiency in performing accurate material takeoffs for structural and miscellaneous steel scopes.
- Experience communicating and negotiating with vendors, subcontractors, and general contractors.
- Solid math skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and estimating-related software; experience with Bluebeam, Tekla, or SDS/2 is a plus. Use AI technology called Lift. Tekla will become more important in the future.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to perform effectively under deadline pressure while maintaining accuracy.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, plus performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match.
- Stable, growing company with a strong backlog and a reputation for delivering quality work.
- Collaborative team culture where your expertise and leadership are valued from day one.
- Professional development opportunities and industry training.
- Work and life balance.
- Paid time off and holidays.
- Opportunities for career advancement within the organization.
About Us
Staley Steel and Sunnyvale Millwork deliver high-quality commercial structural steel fabrication and architectural millwork solutions. We foster a collaborative, growth-oriented culture centered on precision, safety, and continuous employee development.
Staley Steel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
