TankWorx + Construction Services: Estimator Role
Department: Estimating / Project Controls
FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt
Position Summary
The Estimator is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive estimates for industrial tank construction, fabrication, maintenance, repair, and related projects. This position reviews drawings, specifications, scopes of work, customer requirements, and technical documentation to determine project quantities, labor requirements, material costs, equipment needs, subcontractor costs, and overall project pricing. The Estimator will utilize a quantitative and detail-oriented approach to estimating, including tonnage, weld rates, labor productivity, material quantities, and other measurable project factors to develop reliable and defensible estimates.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of industrial tank construction and the factors that influence overall tank design, cost, constructability, and execution. The position requires primary knowledge of API 650 and API 620 requirements, along with familiarity with applicable AWWA and NFPA standards.
The Estimator works closely with Project Management, Operations, Engineering, Fabrication, vendors, subcontractors, and customers to develop complete project bids and support successful project execution. This position is expected to identify project risks, cost drivers, constructability concerns, and opportunities while maintaining a strong commitment to TankWorx's values of Safety, Integrity, Quality, Passion, and One Team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Review project drawings, specifications, bid documents, scopes of work, P&IDs, customer requirements, and other technical documentation to develop accurate estimates for industrial tank projects.
- Perform detailed material and quantity takeoffs for tank construction, fabrication, repair, maintenance, and related industrial work.
- Develop detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, rentals, transportation, coatings, testing, inspection, and other direct and indirect project costs.
- Apply a quantitative approach to estimating, utilizing measurable project factors such as tonnage, weld footage, weld rates, labor hours, production rates, material quantities, and historical cost data.
- Evaluate tank design requirements and understand the key values and variables that influence overall tank design, material requirements, fabrication methods, labor requirements, and project cost.
- Demonstrate primary working knowledge of API 650 and API 620 requirements, with familiarity with applicable AWWA and NFPA standards and other industry standards relevant to industrial tank construction.
- Evaluate project requirements related to welding, fabrication, field erection, coatings, inspection, testing, hydrotesting, transportation, site conditions, and other project-specific requirements.
- Review technical requirements and identify potential design, scope, constructability, or execution issues that could impact project cost or schedule.
- Solicit, review, and evaluate pricing from vendors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other third-party service providers.
- Prepare and manage bid packages, including detailed scope clarifications, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications, alternates, and pricing documentation.
- Coordinate with Project Management, Operations, Engineering, and Fabrication to confirm project scope, constructability, production requirements, labor requirements, and estimated hours.
- Develop labor and production assumptions based on project scope, site conditions, equipment requirements, crew composition, productivity, and historical project performance.
- Identify potential project risks, cost impacts, scheduling considerations, escalation factors, and opportunities for value engineering or cost savings.
- Prepare bid summaries, cost analyses, estimate breakdowns, and pricing recommendations for management review and approval.
- Support the preparation and pricing of change orders, additional work, and scope changes throughout the project lifecycle.
- Maintain accurate and organized estimating records, bid documentation, vendor and subcontractor quotes, cost data, assumptions, and historical project information.
- Review actual project costs against original estimates to identify variances, improve estimating accuracy, and develop reliable historical cost information.
- Maintain and utilize historical estimating data, production rates, labor costs, material pricing, and other project cost information to improve future estimates.
- Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and customer or contractor meetings as required.
- Maintain strong professional relationships with vendors, subcontractors, customers, and internal teams.
- Manage multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
- Support continuous improvement of estimating processes, estimating tools, cost databases, historical pricing, and standard estimating practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support TankWorx projects and operations.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge and Experience
- 3+ years of construction estimating experience; industrial, tank, fabrication, or heavy construction estimating experience strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of industrial tank construction, fabrication, maintenance, repair, or related field operations.
- Primary knowledge of API 650 and API 620 requirements.
- Familiarity with AWWA and NFPA standards applicable to industrial tank construction and related work.
- Strong understanding of the values, variables, and technical requirements that influence overall tank design, including material quantities, dimensions, thicknesses, tonnage, welding requirements, fabrication methods, and field erection requirements.
- Ability to develop estimates using a quantitative approach, including tonnage, weld rates, labor hours, production rates, material quantities, and other measurable cost drivers.
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand construction drawings, tank drawings, specifications, P&IDs, project plans, bid documents, and other technical documentation.
- Strong understanding of industrial construction processes, including welding, fabrication, field erection, coatings, inspection, testing, and hydrotesting.
Technical and Analytical Skills
- Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to perform detailed quantity and material takeoffs.
- Ability to analyze technical requirements and translate project scope into labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
- Ability to identify discrepancies, omissions, ambiguities, and potential risks within bid documents.
- Ability to evaluate constructability and understand how design requirements translate into actual fabrication and field installation costs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
- Experience with construction estimating, project management, cost-estimating, or related software preferred.
Communication and Organizational Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organization and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple estimates, priorities, and bid deadlines.
- Ability to clearly document estimating assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, and scope clarifications.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Project Management, Operations, Engineering, Fabrication, vendors, subcontractors, and customers.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely, and complete work.
- Ability to identify potential issues early and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
ADA Requirements
TankWorx + Construction Services, LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The physical requirements and job duties described above are representative of the requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position and are not intended to exclude qualified individuals with disabilities.
What We Value
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:
- Commitment to safety above all else.
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills.
- Problem-solving mindset.
- Willingness to learn and continuously improve.
- Flexibility to support the team beyond traditional job responsibilities.
- A "One Team" mentality with the understanding that everyone contributes to project success.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
TankWorx + Construction Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. If you require assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 225-746-7010.