Project Estimator - Rigging (Data Centers, Pharma, Semiconductor)
Role Summary
Own the rigging portion of complex industrial/commercial bids. You'll mine 1,000+ page RFPs/specs/drawings for what actually matters, define the rigging scope, quantify labor/equipment/duration, and deliver complete, defensible bid packages that operations can build and finance can trust.
Core Responsibilities Scope Extraction & Clarification
Parse RFPs/specs/drawings (Div 01/05/11/13/14/40-46, appendices, vendor cut sheets) to isolate rigging scope: receiving, uncrating, hoisting, setting, anchoring, alignment, cleanroom/contamination controls, turnover. Build and track RFIs; resolve conflicting notes between architectural, structural, MEP, process, and tool/vendor sets.
Quantity Takeoff & Means/Methods
Perform detailed takeoffs: weights/CGs, travel paths, floor loading, pick radii, lift heights, access constraints, rigging gear lists, temporary works. Select feasible means/methods: cranes vs. gantry vs. Versa-Lift/forklift vs. skates/hydraulic jacks; develop alternate approaches when logistics or vibration limits demand it.
Pricing & Production
Calculate crew compositions and
man-hours by activity
(receive, stage, rig, set, align, anchor, clean, turnover). Price owned equipment vs. rental (cranes, gantries, forklifts/Versa-Lifts, dollies/skates, hydraulic power packs, spreader bars, specialty rigging). Apply correct wage rates, fringes, OT rules, per diem, travel, mobilization/demob, consumables, small tools, waste, and escalation.
Schedule & Logistics
Build level-2/3 rigging schedules with durations, constraints, and float; coordinate around tool install, shutdowns, and blackout dates. Plan site logistics: laydown, ingress/egress, rigging routes, floor protection, housekeeping, crane setups, lift sequencing, after-hours work.
Risk & Compliance
Identify risk items (weight/sling capacity margins, floor loads, vibration limits, contamination control, lift plan approvals, shutdown windows) with mitigation and cost. Include safety planning assumptions (JHAs, lift plans, permits), cleanroom protocols (gowning, wipe-downs, bag-in/bag-out), and GMP/validation touchpoints where applicable.
Sub/vendor Management
Solicit, level, and lock quotes for crane service, specialty transport, engineered picks/temporary works, anchors/epoxy, rigging gear rental, and disposal.
Bid Package Assembly
Produce complete bid deliverables (see checklist below) and present at internal reviews; hand off to Operations with clear assumptions and alternates.
Post-Bid Support
Respond to clarifications, VE options, and negotiate scope. Upon award, support turnover and early buyout.
Required Qualifications
5+ years in industrial/commercial
rigging estimating
or heavy-mech/tool install (data center/pharma/semiconductor preferred). Strong blueprint/spec literacy (general, structural, MEP, process/tool drawings; lift plans; vendor prints; P&IDs/GA helpful). Proven ability to model picks, floor loads, and lift paths; practical understanding of cranes, gantries, Versa-Lifts, jacking/skating systems. Advanced Excel (production rates, parametrics, sensitivity), Bluebeam Revu (takeoff), scheduling (MS Project or P6). Experience leveling vendor/sub quotes and writing scope clarifications/exceptions. Safety-first mindset; working knowledge of OSHA/ASME B30 rigging standards; cleanroom/GMP basics for pharma/semi. Clear written and verbal communication; able to defend a number. Nice-to-Have Certifications
NCCCO Signalperson/Rigger (or equivalent), OSHA-30, TWIC (as needed), 3D lift planning (AutoCAD/Revit/3D Lift Plan), anchor/epoxy installer cards. Key Performance Indicators (measured quarterly)
Estimate Accuracy:
±10-15% variance estimate-to-actual labor/equipment on closed projects. Hit Rate & Throughput:
Qualified bids submitted vs. awards; on-time submission rate. RFI Efficiency:
Avg. days to resolve critical scope RFIs; % of bids with unresolved criticals at submission (target: 0%). Schedule Reality:
% of operations feedback indicating durations were buildable without re-baselining. Risk Capture:
# of material risk items identified vs. realized. Tools You'll Use
Bluebeam Revu, Excel (power user), MS Project or P6, 3D Lift Plan/AutoCAD (or equivalent), SharePoint/Teams or Procore, and our ERP/estimating templates. Working Conditions
Office-based with site walks and pre-bid meetings (travel as required by pursuit). Occasional off-hours work for shutdown reconnaissance. Bid Package Deliverables (Checklist)
Executive summary &
written scope narrative
(what's in/out; assumptions; alternates). Detailed
takeoff
with weight/CG data, counts, and rigging gear lists. Man-hour build
by activity/crew; crew mix and shifts. Equipment plan
(owned vs. rental), crane/gantry sizing calcs, floor load checks. Levelled
sub/vendor quote tab
with inclusions/exclusions. Level-2/3 schedule
with durations, logic ties, and constraints. Risk register
with mitigations and cost impacts. Safety/quality provisions:
lift plan requirements, JHAs, cleanroom/GMP controls, QC/turnover documentation. Commercials:
clarifications/exceptions, escalation, taxes, bonds, insurance notes. Turnover pack outline for Operations. Salary & Benefits (fill to fit your market)
Exempt; base $XX-$YY DOE + bonus tied to hit rate and estimate accuracy. Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO, paid training/certifications.
Reporting Line
Reports to: Preconstruction Manager or Director of Estimating. Works daily with Operations, Project Management, Safety, and Logistics
Role Summary
Own the rigging portion of complex industrial/commercial bids. You'll mine 1,000+ page RFPs/specs/drawings for what actually matters, define the rigging scope, quantify labor/equipment/duration, and deliver complete, defensible bid packages that operations can build and finance can trust.
Core Responsibilities Scope Extraction & Clarification
Parse RFPs/specs/drawings (Div 01/05/11/13/14/40-46, appendices, vendor cut sheets) to isolate rigging scope: receiving, uncrating, hoisting, setting, anchoring, alignment, cleanroom/contamination controls, turnover. Build and track RFIs; resolve conflicting notes between architectural, structural, MEP, process, and tool/vendor sets.
Quantity Takeoff & Means/Methods
Perform detailed takeoffs: weights/CGs, travel paths, floor loading, pick radii, lift heights, access constraints, rigging gear lists, temporary works. Select feasible means/methods: cranes vs. gantry vs. Versa-Lift/forklift vs. skates/hydraulic jacks; develop alternate approaches when logistics or vibration limits demand it.
Pricing & Production
Calculate crew compositions and
man-hours by activity
(receive, stage, rig, set, align, anchor, clean, turnover). Price owned equipment vs. rental (cranes, gantries, forklifts/Versa-Lifts, dollies/skates, hydraulic power packs, spreader bars, specialty rigging). Apply correct wage rates, fringes, OT rules, per diem, travel, mobilization/demob, consumables, small tools, waste, and escalation.
Schedule & Logistics
Build level-2/3 rigging schedules with durations, constraints, and float; coordinate around tool install, shutdowns, and blackout dates. Plan site logistics: laydown, ingress/egress, rigging routes, floor protection, housekeeping, crane setups, lift sequencing, after-hours work.
Risk & Compliance
Identify risk items (weight/sling capacity margins, floor loads, vibration limits, contamination control, lift plan approvals, shutdown windows) with mitigation and cost. Include safety planning assumptions (JHAs, lift plans, permits), cleanroom protocols (gowning, wipe-downs, bag-in/bag-out), and GMP/validation touchpoints where applicable.
Sub/vendor Management
Solicit, level, and lock quotes for crane service, specialty transport, engineered picks/temporary works, anchors/epoxy, rigging gear rental, and disposal.
Bid Package Assembly
Produce complete bid deliverables (see checklist below) and present at internal reviews; hand off to Operations with clear assumptions and alternates.
Post-Bid Support
Respond to clarifications, VE options, and negotiate scope. Upon award, support turnover and early buyout.
Required Qualifications
5+ years in industrial/commercial
rigging estimating
or heavy-mech/tool install (data center/pharma/semiconductor preferred). Strong blueprint/spec literacy (general, structural, MEP, process/tool drawings; lift plans; vendor prints; P&IDs/GA helpful). Proven ability to model picks, floor loads, and lift paths; practical understanding of cranes, gantries, Versa-Lifts, jacking/skating systems. Advanced Excel (production rates, parametrics, sensitivity), Bluebeam Revu (takeoff), scheduling (MS Project or P6). Experience leveling vendor/sub quotes and writing scope clarifications/exceptions. Safety-first mindset; working knowledge of OSHA/ASME B30 rigging standards; cleanroom/GMP basics for pharma/semi. Clear written and verbal communication; able to defend a number. Nice-to-Have Certifications
NCCCO Signalperson/Rigger (or equivalent), OSHA-30, TWIC (as needed), 3D lift planning (AutoCAD/Revit/3D Lift Plan), anchor/epoxy installer cards. Key Performance Indicators (measured quarterly)
Estimate Accuracy:
±10-15% variance estimate-to-actual labor/equipment on closed projects. Hit Rate & Throughput:
Qualified bids submitted vs. awards; on-time submission rate. RFI Efficiency:
Avg. days to resolve critical scope RFIs; % of bids with unresolved criticals at submission (target: 0%). Schedule Reality:
% of operations feedback indicating durations were buildable without re-baselining. Risk Capture:
# of material risk items identified vs. realized. Tools You'll Use
Bluebeam Revu, Excel (power user), MS Project or P6, 3D Lift Plan/AutoCAD (or equivalent), SharePoint/Teams or Procore, and our ERP/estimating templates. Working Conditions
Office-based with site walks and pre-bid meetings (travel as required by pursuit). Occasional off-hours work for shutdown reconnaissance. Bid Package Deliverables (Checklist)
Executive summary &
written scope narrative
(what's in/out; assumptions; alternates). Detailed
takeoff
with weight/CG data, counts, and rigging gear lists. Man-hour build
by activity/crew; crew mix and shifts. Equipment plan
(owned vs. rental), crane/gantry sizing calcs, floor load checks. Levelled
sub/vendor quote tab
with inclusions/exclusions. Level-2/3 schedule
with durations, logic ties, and constraints. Risk register
with mitigations and cost impacts. Safety/quality provisions:
lift plan requirements, JHAs, cleanroom/GMP controls, QC/turnover documentation. Commercials:
clarifications/exceptions, escalation, taxes, bonds, insurance notes. Turnover pack outline for Operations. Salary & Benefits (fill to fit your market)
Exempt; base $XX-$YY DOE + bonus tied to hit rate and estimate accuracy. Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO, paid training/certifications.
Reporting Line
Reports to: Preconstruction Manager or Director of Estimating. Works daily with Operations, Project Management, Safety, and Logistics