Senior Electrical Estimator – Utilities & Infrastructure
Location: Detroit, MI (Hybrid – Tues, Wed, Thurs On-Site | Mon & Fri Remote)
Local Requirement: Candidates must be local to the Detroit, MI area or able to reliably commute to the office three days per week
Pay Rate: $65/hour
Contract: 12-month contract with strong potential for extension or direct hire
Overview
Our client is seeking a Senior Electrical Estimator to support large-scale utility and infrastructure projects, including substations, transmission, and distribution (overhead and underground).
This is a hybrid position based in Detroit, requiring regular on-site collaboration with project teams. The role is critical in developing accurate, defensible cost estimates across the full project lifecycle — from early concept through execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain estimates including ROM, budgetary, unit rate, and detailed estimates
- Review engineering designs and scope packages for accuracy and completeness
- Validate contractor and engineering estimates, including quantities, labor, and materials
- Analyze and challenge bids to ensure scope alignment and cost optimization
- Review and evaluate change orders for accuracy and project impact
- Build estimate structures aligned to WBS and cost-loaded schedules
- Perform cost analysis, benchmarking, risk assessments, and value engineering
- Support constructability reviews and claims analysis
- Contribute to estimating standards, tools, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Collaborate across cross-functional teams and support multiple concurrent projects
Required Qualifications
- One of the following:
- High School Diploma or GED + 10+ years of electrical estimating experience
- Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related) + 8+ years of experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related) + 6+ years of experience
- Strong experience estimating electrical infrastructure projects (utilities, power, or industrial)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (cost modeling, analysis, and reporting)
- Must be based in or near the Detroit area and able to work on-site three days per week
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with utility-scale projects (substations, transmission, distribution, renewables)
- Background in overhead (OH) and underground (UG) electrical systems
- Experience across full project lifecycle (engineering, construction, commissioning)
- Familiarity with estimating tools such as On-Screen Takeoff or similar
Additional Requirements
- Ability to work in industrial or power plant environments (stairs, confined spaces, varying temperatures)
- Willingness to travel occasionally for site visits and project walkdowns
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
- Proven analytical, problem-solving, and project coordination capabilities
Why This Role
- High-impact role supporting major utility and infrastructure projects
- Competitive pay at $65/hour
- Hybrid schedule with consistent on-site collaboration
- Strong potential for long-term extension or direct hire
- Opportunity to work on complex, high-visibility energy projects
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