Chief Estimator

Strata Clean Energy is a leading developer, EPC, and service provider for utility-scale solar and storage systems in the United States. We control and self-perform all processes from our nationwide solar and storage developments, to construction, O&M, and Asset Management.

Our employees are empowered to drive our business in a collaborative, creative, and passion-driven environment that fosters long-term professional growth. There is a lot to learn at Strata, but we’re here to help you give your best and have a good time doing it.

At Strata, you’re part of something big. We’re leading the industry in sustainable energy careers. We are driving innovation to make a difference for our customers, our employees, and our planet. Join us in powering the future.

Summary: The Lead Estimator will manage the estimating team through generation of detailed cost estimates for Solar and Battery Energy Storage (BESS) projects. The estimating team will utilize and develop tools to track and maintain industry cost data, provide pricing strategies, and produces estimates to bid and win highly profitable projects. The lead estimator will drive efficiencies in estimates in collaboration with system optimization staff to allow for best in class valuations of projects throughout the development phase. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the coordination of cost information, labor productions, subcontractor and vendor pricing, owner information, and supporting reconciliation of actual costs to estimated costs.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create project cost estimates for Solar and BESS projects based on analysis of project technical requirements.
• Complete quantity takeoffs, summations of material proposal comparisons, and estimate summary sheets.
• Present estimates to senior management for input and approval of bid submissions.
• Solicit bid estimates from trade contractors.
• Solicit new bidders when needed and gather necessary documents for inclusion in future projects. 
• Interface routinely with Engineering to support new technology and innovation initiatives with cost and other commercial considerations.
• Interface routinely with Project Controls, Self-perform managers and subcontractors to track actual cost data versus estimates and refine estimate databases as necessary based on actuals.
• Work with Strata’s self-perform teams to ensure alignment of self-perform estimates with relevant markets and ensure alignment of scope.
• Prepares contractor and vendor proposal comparisons and estimate summary sheets for various construction scopes, i.e. mechanical installation, electrical installation, civil earthwork, etc.
• Help in preparing, organizing, and coordinating Request for Proposal documents and schedules, utilizing schedule information to estimate General Conditions and other schedule-driven items.
• Determine all pricing options and the appropriate price for the project, including identifying and quantifying potential cost uncertainties to ensure cost models capture the full range of potential costs.
• Support project estimators in data input and maintenance in estimating software program(s).
• Collect, maintain, and analyze all project costs, including materials, labor, and equipment to ensure estimates are accurate and valid by employing data analytics.Coordinates with bid managers, engineering, procurement, project management, and other project stakeholders.
• Participate in plan and estimate review meetings, other project review meetings and site investigations, as needed.
• Support project estimators in gathering information from local government and private entities that may affect project (i.e. permits, licenses, etc.) 
• Provide direction to new Estimators and Engineers as they enter the company.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Hires, trains and provides supervision to project estimators as a member of a 3-5 person team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA or BS in engineering, accounting or construction finance; 5+ years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in estimating utility scale solar projects. Construction experience preferred.
• Experience in estimating ground mounted projects to include civil and site preparation costs relating to post driven or drill & set foundations, trenching, storm water management, and general site productivity given site specific sub-surface and related geotechnical, hydrological and local climate information.
• Experience with projects over $100M/100MW.
• Working knowledge of industry related EPC operations and procedures.
• Experience in interconnect, substation and gen-tie estimating.
• Experience in estimating electrical scopes and working with internal construction execution teams.
• Knowledge and experience in EPC estimating practices and methods, including demonstrated ability to organize, perform, and present cost estimating products.
• Skilled in the calculation of productivity-affected burdened labor rates and the impact of civil, subsurface and storm-water conditions.
• In-depth knowledge of project schedules and ability to predict/extrapolate costs curves based on experience of scheduled- activities/cost correlation analysis.
• Knowledgeable of manual labor performance, equipment production and derivation of composite craft/category labor rates.
• Management experience preferred; proven leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent time management, organization skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Work is performed in an office environment and in the field. Must be able to sit, stand, bend, twist and lift up to 20 pounds.

No third party solicitations or resumes will be accepted for this or any other Strata Solar position. 

Strata Solar is an  equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Strata Solar is an equal employment and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.