Junior Estimator - Inland Construction

Position Summary

MORRISON is seeking a detail-oriented Junior Estimator to support the development of cost estimates and bid proposals for pipeline, compressor station, meter station, civil, mechanical, and related industrial construction projects.

Working under the guidance of senior estimating personnel, the Junior Estimator will review bid documents, perform quantity takeoffs, solicit vendor and subcontractor pricing, develop labor and equipment estimates, and assist in preparing complete and competitive proposals. This is a developmental position intended for someone who understands construction fundamentals and wants to build a career in estimating.

Primary Responsibilities

• Review construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, bid forms, schedules, and other solicitation documents.
• Perform material and quantity takeoffs for civil, pipeline, structural, mechanical, and related construction activities.
• Assist with developing estimates for labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, project supervision, indirect costs, and risk.
• Build estimates using historical cost data, production rates, vendor quotations, and project-specific requirements.
• Prepare and issue requests for quotation to material suppliers, equipment vendors, and subcontractors.
• Review vendor and subcontractor proposals for scope coverage, exclusions, qualifications, and commercial compliance.
• Identify scope gaps, unclear requirements, constructability concerns, and potential project risks.
• Assist with preparing RFIs and questions for clients, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Help develop preliminary project schedules, crew compositions, equipment spreads, and execution plans.
• Maintain organized estimating files, bid documentation, quotations, assumptions, and estimate backups.
• Assist with preparing bid summaries, proposal letters, schedules of values, clarifications, qualifications, and exclusions.
• Support internal estimate reviews and incorporate management feedback into final pricing.
• Compare estimates with historical project performance and help maintain the company’s estimating database.
• Participate in project handover meetings and communicate the estimate basis, assumptions, risks, and subcontractor commitments to operations.
• Perform other estimating and preconstruction duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant construction, field, project coordination, or estimating experience may be considered in place of formal education.
• Zero to three years of construction or estimating experience.
• General understanding of construction means, methods, equipment, labor, and material requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and scopes of work.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with estimating, takeoff, scheduling, or PDF-markup software is preferred but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to ask questions, accept feedback, and learn from senior estimators and operations personnel.
• Ability to travel occasionally for site visits and pre-bid meetings.

Preferred Industry Experience

Exposure to one or more of the following is beneficial:

• Pipeline construction, replacement, and maintenance
• Compressor stations and meter stations
• Industrial mechanical piping and equipment installation
• Welding, fabrication, coating, and nondestructive examination
• Site development, excavation, grading, access roads, and concrete
• Structural steel and pipe-support construction
• Hydrostatic testing, tie-ins, outages, and commissioning
• Subcontractor and supplier procurement

Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate should be able to develop proficiency in:

• Quantity takeoffs and estimate development
• Construction productivity and crew-based estimating
• Labor-hour and equipment-hour calculations
• Material pricing and subcontractor scope evaluation
• Proposal clarifications, qualifications, and exclusions
• Project scheduling and construction sequencing
• Risk identification and contingency development
• Cost comparison and historical estimate analysis

Key Attributes

• Detail-oriented and committed to producing accurate work
• Dependable and able to meet firm bid deadlines
• Curious and willing to investigate incomplete or conflicting information
• Comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek guidance
• Able to communicate professionally with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and coworkers
• Interested in both the technical and commercial aspects of construction
• Committed to safety, quality, integrity, and continuous improvement

Career Development

The Junior Estimator will receive practical exposure to the complete bidding process, from initial document review and quantity takeoff through management review, proposal submission, and project handover. As knowledge and experience develop, the position may progress toward independently managing smaller bids and supporting increasingly complex pipeline and industrial construction estimates.