Senior Estimator

VMA Electric Inc. • Full-time • Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States • $85,000 - $110,000 / year • 1d ago

Position Summary

The Senior Estimator is responsible for the financial integrity of every project VMA Electric bids and executes. This role leads the estimating department, manages awarded projects from scope to closeout, and builds a scalable estimating function powered by AI agents. Directly accountable for bid-to-award ratios and estimated-versus-actual margin performance, this individual also develops the estimating team and works closely with the Field Ops Manager and Field Logistics, reporting to the company CEO.

About VMA Electric

VMA Electric is a family-owned electrical contracting company built on the belief that great work and great people go hand in hand. We serve Central Massachusetts and we are growing — fast. Our mission is simple: deliver electrical services so good that our customers never have to look anywhere else, while building a team where every person has a real path to personal, professional, and financial growth. We don’t just talk about culture — we hire for it, reward it, and hold each other to it every day. You’re a person here, not a number. Our core values aren’t wall art. They drive every decision we make: we are Customer-Focused, Results-Driven, Process-Driven, and Collaborative — and we only bring on people who are all four.

Performance Objectives

Achieve a bid-to-award ratio of ≥35% across all divisions by submitting accurate, competitive, and profitable proposals
Ensure realized field margins have no more than a 3% variance from estimated gross profit on any completed job
Deliver residential bid packages within 2 business days and construction packages within 5 business days of receiving complete scope
Identify and submit change orders for 100% of eligible scope additions, targeting a ≥90% capture and billing rate
Training current estimators and operationalizing AI estimating for routine bid processing
Pre-construction RFIs, submittals, initiating WOs, permitting, final buyouts, and put successful bids into HouseCall Pro
Maintain a live weekly bid pipeline report tracking open, awarded, and win/loss status by division
Update the company’s bid templates, labor matrices, and pricing database quarterly to reflect current market conditions

Key Competencies

Builds defensible estimates from first principles (takeoff, labor, material) with zero tolerance for rounding
Understands margin vs. markup to ensure every job is priced profitably
Identifies scope gaps and exclusions in plans and site conditions before they impact field margins
Pursues change orders as billable events with proper documentation and owner notification
Coaches and develops the Lead Estimator as successor with documented institutional knowledge
Leverages estimating software and AI agents as competitive tools to improve speed and accuracy
Represents VMA Electric effectively in bid clarifications and value engineering without conceding margin
Manages departmental capacity and AI output to ensure every bid is submitted on time

Education & Experience

High school diploma or GED required
MA Journeyman or Master Electrician license is a significant advantage
OSHA 10 certification required — must be obtained within 60 days of hire if not already held
Valid Massachusetts driver’s license required
3+ years of electrical estimating experience in residential and/or commercial sectors
2+ years managing electrical projects from contract execution through final billing
Demonstrated experience managing or mentoring a team of estimators or project coordinators
Proficiency with electrical estimating software — PlanSwift, EBM, or equivalent required
Experience with plan room platforms (PlanHub, BuildingConnected, or equivalent) preferred
Proficiency with Claude AI required — including hands-on experience building, configuring, and managing AI agents in an operational business environment

Physical Requirements

Primarily sedentary role requiring extended periods of computer use for takeoffs, bid preparation, and project reporting
Regularly participates in pre-bid site walks and project coordination visits at active construction sites across Central Massachusetts
Ability to walk through buildings in various stages of construction, navigate uneven surfaces, and climb stairs and ladders as required
Occasional exposure to noise, dust, and varying temperature conditions typical of active construction environments
Travels to project sites across Central Massachusetts; valid driver’s license required
All site visits conducted in compliance with VMA Electric’s and the project owner’s PPE and safety requirements

Commitment to Diversity

As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce, VMA Electric recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and actively foster inclusion in all forms both within our company and across interactions with clients, candidates, and partners.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits: