Job Estimator

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