Experienced Mechanical Estimator

About the role

You interpret scope and craft disciplined budgets for mechanical builds, own proposal quality, and guide projects from early numbers to handoff. The role demands clear judgment balancing cost, risk, and timing while supporting commercial and industrial HVAC teams. You drive accuracy so bids reflect reality and support strong project decisions. You own the integrity of mechanical cost data from first takeoff to final proposal submission. You translate complex specifications into quantified pricing that stakeholders can trust and act upon. You serve as the quantitative voice for mechanical systems within cross-functional project teams. You ensure every bid package communicates value, clarity, and risk transparency to leadership. You safeguard the company position by preventing underpricing and exposing hidden project challenges early.

Key facts

What you'll do

Charting intake: gathering drawings and specs to clarify scope before any number is set.

Designing build paths: converting requirements into quantity takeoffs for HVAC, piping, and controls.

Reviewing projections: validating labor, material, and subcontractor pricing against historical benchmarks.

Shipping bids: producing clear proposals and summaries for management sign off.

Partnering with estimators and field leads to align schedules and reduce risk.

Guiding negotiations: comparing supplier quotes and framing value options without overreach.

Supporting design-build and plan-based projects through disciplined preconstruction checks.

Walking sites to confirm conditions and refine estimates before final submission.

Conducting takeoffs for air distribution equipment, sheet metal fabrication, and hydronic layouts.

Assessing constructability and sequencing impacts for mechanical trades during early planning.

Quantifying prefabrication, insulation, and commissioning requirements for system assemblies.

Verifying pricing alignment with project constraints, delivery dates, and regulatory conditions.

Preparing pricing packages that integrate material costs, labor hours, and equipment needs.

Coordinating with estimators and project managers to update estimates as design evolves.

Requirements

You bring five years estimating mechanical construction work in the field.

You price commercial and industrial HVAC and mechanical assemblies with confidence.

You handle design-build and detailed specification projects from numbers to bids.

You perform detailed takeoffs and shape full project budgets from the ground up.

You understand air distribution, sheet metal, hydronic piping, boilers, chillers, and cooling towers.

You read drawings, specs, and bid packages to capture exact scope requirements.

You analyze risk, schedule impacts, and constructability during early project phases.

You collaborate with managers, engineers, and crews to shape estimating strategies.

You solicit, compare, and judge subcontractor and supplier pricing for accuracy.

You identify options that improve value and project efficiency without sacrificing safety.

You attend pre-bid meetings and site reviews to gather firsthand project context.

You prepare estimate summaries, bid documents, and materials for leadership review.

You assist with handoff activities after contract award to ensure clarity.

You maintain cost databases, historical records, and bid archives for future use.

Nice to have

Preferred experience with estimating software and construction cost tools.

Skills & tools

Commercial and industrial mechanical systems; estimating platforms; bid management.

About the company

Kelso Industries builds scientific research vessels for government marine operations. The company name honors the late Dr John Kelso, a scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This background is reflected in the design of vessels built to support fisheries research and water quality work. The lead vessel is a "Near Shore Fisheries Research Vessel" used for trawls, box core sampling, bottom sampling, and water quality sampling. It was commissioned in 2009 and built by ABCO Industries Lunenburg Shipyard. The vessel was ordered by the Canadian Coast Guard to replace the retiring CCGS Shark and operates from CGS Base Burlington in the Central and Arctic Region. The ship has a maximum speed near 16 knots and a cruising speed near 14 knots. Fuel capacity is about 2,848 litres, with additional water storage of 500 litres. Accommodation includes seating for ten passengers and a crew of three. This configuration supports day trips and focused research campaigns in coastal and nearshore waters.