Mechanical Estimator

Celebrated as one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for a Mechanical Estimator to join our team in Minneapolis, MN.

“Together We Make Dreams Real” – that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and subcontractors to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we’ve created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities. We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.

At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

You will be responsible for preparing and leading accurate mechanical estimates and preconstruction services for commercial construction projects. This role partners with project teams, owners, design professionals, and trade partners to develop competitive and profitable construction solutions involving HVAC, plumbing, process piping, control systems, and other building mechanical systems. The Mechanical Estimator plays a key role in securing new work, identifying project risks and opportunities, supporting value engineering efforts, and ensuring successful project transitions to operations

The key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Project Work

• Independently prepare accurate mechanical estimates for commercial construction projects from conceptual design through construction documents.
• Build and maintain accurate mechanical scope unit costs, cost models, and historical database.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, BIM models, and other project documentation to determine scope requirements, risk areas, and pricing strategies.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs for HVAC, plumbing, piping, building automation controls, and related mechanical systems using estimating and takeoff software.
• Support negotiated project pursuits for projects of varying size and complexity.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure complete scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Prepare detailed cost analyses including labor, equipment, productivity factors, materials, subcontractors, escalation, and general conditions.
• Participate in bid strategy meetings and recommend pricing approaches based on project risks, market conditions, and competitive landscape.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and design inconsistencies, and coordinate clarification questions with project stakeholders.
• Support design-build and negotiated project delivery efforts by collaborating with operations, design teams, and trade partners during preconstruction.
• Develop and present value engineering options that reduce costs, improve constructability, and maintain project quality objectives.
• Perform mechanical conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimating for negotiated projects.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, design reviews, and client presentations as needed.
• Assist in preparing proposal packages, clarifications, assumptions, qualifications, and bid submission documentation.
• Partner with Operations during project turnover to communicate estimating assumptions, opportunities, and project risks.
• Develops accurate quantity takeoff and cost models using 2D and 3D software
• Prepare documentation for each milestone estimate.
• Works closely with Operations and senior level estimators on subcontractor analysis and buyout processes on negotiated projects.
• May attend interviews on project pursuits.

Miscellaneous Items:

• Delivers The Knutson Experience.
• Maintain current knowledge of mechanical construction means and methods, market pricing trends, labor productivity, and emerging technologies.
• Keeps senior level estimators informed of key issues/opportunities that impact project success.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Participate in post-award estimate reviews and project postmortems to compare estimated versus actual costs and improve future estimate accuracy.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of historical cost databases, benchmark information, and estimating best practices.
• Mentor junior estimators and assist with onboarding and training activities when appropriate.
• Continuously works to enhance personal skills/abilities to retain a motivated, professional workforce for Knutson Construction.
• Identifies training and/or development opportunities that will assist them in achieving enhanced job performance and/or career objectives.
• Works closely with senior level staff to promote and leverage the use of technology by staff.
• Respond to and complete all other duties, tasks and/or projects assigned
• Participation and completion in scheduled and as-needed safety training, as determined by the company.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong planning, problem solving, and troubleshooting skills in a cross functional environment
• Strong multi-tasking skills allowing them to work on various projects on the same day.
• Motivated to use the latest AI software, technology, and tools available to transform the future of the estimating profession.
• Individual must be collaborative and positive
• Highly organized, able to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently.
• Ability to travel to various construction sites; ability to physically review project sites which may involve use of stairways and mobilizing around the existing landscape.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time using a computer and reading plans/specifications.
• Ability to lift bid documents (plans and specifications) as needed, which can weigh up to 50 pounds.

Minimum Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Architecture, or related field and 5-7 years of commercial construction estimating, preconstruction, mechanical contracting, or related experience.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Experience estimating HVAC, plumbing, piping, and building mechanical systems.
• Experience with design-build, negotiated, and hard-bid project delivery methods.
• Proficiency with estimating software, BIM platforms, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment procurement, labor productivity analysis, and construction sequencing.
• Experience with healthcare, higher education, mission critical, industrial, or large commercial projects preferred.

Additional Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay
• Performance Based Career Advancement
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off
• Life and Long-Term Disability Benefit with no premium cost to employee
• Mentorship Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Flex Fridays
• 401k w/Company Match
• Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
• Successful Annual Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program
• Paid Parental Leave

Projected Minimum Base Salary per year $72,000

Projected Maximum Base Salary per year $109,000