Senior & Lead Structural Steel Estimator - Steel Specialty (Full Time)
Socotra, Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
Reports to: President, Head of Sales & Estimating
Environment: In our Belmont, NC office, working with Trimble PowerFab estimating software.
Steel Specialty is a quickly growing 2nd generation Steel Fabrication company with a strong culture - collaborative, family-friendly, professional & personable. 50+ years ago, we started as a Miscellaneous Steel Fabricator and later added Structural Steel to our wheelhouse. We manage jobs for our customers in Healthcare, Commercial, Industrial, Higher Education etc. We are proud of our long-standing reputation for craftsmanship, reliability, and integrity. We are committed to creating an excellent workplace, supporting the growth & success of our employees and partners, and delivering high-value, on-time solutions to our customers.
What you will do:
Prepare & coordinate detailed cost estimates for complex structural & miscellaneous steel projects, ensuring complete & traceable takeoffs, accuracy, consistency, and risk awareness across bids. Lead & develop a team of Estimators. Bridge your technical estimating experience with leadership's support, act as a standard for other Estimators, and contribute to our organizational strategy & any process improvement initiatives.
- Review & validate estimates prepared by junior estimators; provide constructive feedback & guidance to improve accuracy & efficiency.
- Issue & track RFI’s to General Contractors; ensure all responses are integrated into final pricing.
- Collect, level, and compare vendor, subcontractor, and supplier quotes for accuracy & completeness.
- Analyze company data, monitor budgets & prices using software packages.
- Identify labor, material, costs and time requirements by researching proposals, blueprints, and related documents.
- Prepare detailed cost estimate reports & present job Recaps & bid summaries to Estimating Manager / President when requested.
- Some travel within 60 miles of office – no overnight travel.
Who you are:
- Responsive teammate & communicator with a positive attitude.
- Cross collaborator with GC’s, subs, and leadership.
- Analytically minded and high attention to detail.
- Time management expert. Strategic thinker & planner. Strong problem solver.
What you’ll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field OR equivalent experience in construction/steel estimating.
- 8+ years of experience estimating structural / miscellaneous steel (Medical, Commercial, Industrial, Higher Education projects preferred).
- Strong knowledge of structural steel design, fabrication, and erection process, AISC codes, and AWS welding standards.
- Experience soliciting & leveling vendor / subcontractor quotes & preparing complete cost estimate reports.
- Hands‑on RFI’s, scope reviews, and budget monitoring within estimating software.
What’s nice to have:
- Proficiency in Trimble PowerFab estimating software or equivalent.
- Rigorous with risk assessment and cost validation.
- Experience mentoring, training, or leading junior / entry level Estimators.
What you’ll gain:
- Be a part of a team that is highly emotionally intelligent and expanding quickly, with a passion for high quality service and family friendly culture.
- Base salary negotiations depend on experience & will be discussed during your first phone interview.
- Annual end of year bonus.
- 401k retirement fund with company matching.
- Access to health, dental, vision, and ancillary insurance.
- Employer paid medical premiums.
- Paid Vacation.
- Opportunity to grow internally – ask us about your growth path with Steel Specialty!
- $90,000 - $115,000 yearly.