HVAC​/R Senior Estimator

To build lasting partnerships with customers, employees, and vendors that span generations.

Northstar Refrigeration's Core Values

Quality

Comradery

Persistence

Loyalty

Ownership

Position Summary

Northstar Refrigeration is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Estimator to play a key role in the continued growth of our HVAC and Industrial Refrigeration construction business. This position is ideal for an accomplished estimator who combines strong technical knowledge with sound business judgment and takes pride in developing accurate, competitive, and executable project estimates.

The Senior Estimator will lead the estimating effort for Northstar’s larger and more complex opportunities, including Plan & Spec, negotiated, and select Design/Build projects. Responsibilities include preconstruction planning, detailed estimating, bid strategy, subcontractor and vendor coordination, scope review, value engineering, constructability analysis, and preparation of project budgets and proposals.

Working closely with Sales, Engineering, and Construction, the Senior Estimator will help ensure that projects are not only competitively priced but properly scoped, adequately staffed, and positioned to achieve Northstar’s profitability goals. The role will also have an opportunity to strengthen estimating standards, develop vendor and general contractor relationships, mentor other members of the estimating team, and contribute to the continued development of Northstar’s estimating processes.

This is an opportunity for an experienced HVAC/R professional to have a meaningful impact on the projects Northstar pursues, the relationships we build, and the profitable growth of a rapidly expanding organization.

Why would you want to work for Northstar?

Northstar Refrigeration is a leading HVAC/Refrigeration sales, service, and construction company dedicated to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient solutions to our clients. With a collaborative culture, commitment to innovation, and a growing team of 90+ professionals, we offer the opportunity to be a foundational part of a dynamic organization. Our core values—
Quality, Loyalty, Comradery, Persistence, and Ownership —guide everything we do. Join us as we continue building lasting relationships with vendors, customers, and employees that span generations.

• Lead the estimating process for assigned HVAC and Industrial Refrigeration projects, ensuring estimates are accurate, complete, competitive, and delivered within established deadlines.
• Review plans, specifications, addenda, bid documents, and other project information to develop a thorough understanding of the complete project scope.
• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and develop material, equipment, labor, subcontractor, and other project costs.
• Evaluate labor requirements, productivity factors, project schedules, site conditions, and installation complexity when developing estimates.
• Work closely with Construction to evaluate constructability, labor requirements, subcontractor needs, project logistics, and known site conditions prior to finalizing estimates.
• Break down project costs and labor requirements by system, floor, area, phase, or other logical work breakdown to support project planning, field execution, and post-project cost analysis.
• Identify scope gaps, conflicts, ambiguities, and potential project risks and obtain clarification from owners, engineers, general contractors, vendors, and other project stakeholders as necessary.
• Develop and document estimate assumptions, qualifications, clarifications, allowances, alternates, and exclusions.
• Identify and develop value-engineering opportunities that maintain project performance while improving cost, constructability, or overall value to the customer.
• Solicit, evaluate, level, and select vendor and subcontractor quotations to ensure complete and competitive coverage.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with general contractors, customers, engineers, vendors, manufacturers, and subcontractors.
• Prepare bid scope sheets, bid exhibits, subcontractor comparisons, and other supporting estimating documentation as required.
• Compare current estimates against…