Solar & BESS Estimator

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a skilled Solar and BESS Estimator with at least 5 years of experience in EPC to join our growing team. Reporting directly to the Director of Preconstruction, this role requires a detail-oriented, results-driven individual with strong initiative and perseverance. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional attention to detail and play a key role in helping us meet the demands of the dynamic and fast-paced solar and energy storage industries as we work together to build the energy of the future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Estimating

· Collaborate with internal and external sources to determine interconnection requirements and estimate interconnection costs for both BTM and FTM solar and BESS projects.

· Coordinate with Development and Engineering teams to create preliminary design budgets for solar, BESS, and hybrid Development projects.

EPC Estimating

· Prepare competitive, accurate, and timely cost estimates and schedules for DG scale (0.5 MW–50 MW) C&I rooftop, carport, ground-mount solar, BESS, hybrid solar-plus-storage, and EV charging projects in the Preconstruction phase.

· Review specifications, scope of work, drawings, RFP documents, and equipment/vendor requirements to develop a thorough understanding of solar and BESS project requirements and potential risks.

· Read and interpret solar and BESS construction drawings and perform accurate, timely project takeoffs.

· Manage the full subcontractor and vendor process, including NDA coordination for solar, BESS, and related electrical scopes.

· Collaborate with Engineering to propose value-engineering solutions aligned with current solar, BESS, and electrical industry costs.

· Work with the Accounting team to estimate accurate internal company costs.

· Perform detailed subcontractor and vendor descopes to ensure normalized bids.

· Provide subcontractor recommendations on how to mitigate and price risks associated with a project.

· Deliver complete RFP responses in a timely manner, including proposals, pricing breakdowns, and preliminary schedules.

· Maintain records and database for costs, subcontractors, vendors, and other data.

Pre-Construction

· Create contract and construction schedules in collaboration with Project Management, Construction, and Engineering teams.

· Assist in EPC contract negotiations.

· Manage the pre-qualification process of subcontractors and vendors.

· Assist in the selection, negotiation, and contract execution with subcontractors.

· Coordinate with racking vendors to ensure timely completion of pull testing and with BESS equipment vendors to support timely budgetary pricing, scope alignment, and technical clarifications.

· Set up and manage the submittal process for all subcontractor scopes using Procore.

· Set up and co-lead Preconstruction Page Turn meetings.

Process Improvement

· Lead 'Lessons Learned' meetings at the end of each project; identify project setbacks and develop a rectification plan.

· Continuously analyze actual cost data from active and completed projects to improve future estimates.

· Gather and track feedback from the Construction team on subcontractor performance for future selection processes.

· Identify bottlenecks in processes and implement creative solutions to improve efficiencies.

· Organize learning sessions with subject matter experts to promote continuous learning.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

· Minimum of 3 years of experience in a Solar and/or BESS EPC environment.

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Energy Economics, Energy Systems/Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics, or a related field is preferred.

· Experience with subcontract tendering and response evaluation required.

· Familiarity with electrical design components, energy storage systems, battery enclosures, PCS/inverters, EMS/controls, transformers, switch gear, or engineering is a strong plus.

· Experience with self-perform estimating for solar, BESS, or electrical scopes is a strong plus.

· Proficiency in MS Office, with strong Excel skills required and One Note preferred.

· Experience with Procore and Smartsheet preferred.

· Ability to manage…