What are the responsibilities and job description for the MEP Estimator (Bilingual – English/Spanish) position at Bernard Nickels & Associates?
Job Title: MEP Estimator (Bilingual – English/Spanish)
Federal Energy & Infrastructure Projects
Job Type: Contract (W2)
Start Date: ASAP
End Date: 11/28/2026 (with potential for extension)
Job Location: Knoxville, TN (onsite role that also includes up to 25% travel)
Work Schedule/Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day (standard business hours)
Compensation: $54.00 to $60.00 per hour
Overview: Our construction services client's federal construction team is seeking a MEP Estimator (Bilingual – English/Spanish) to support large-scale federal energy and infrastructure projects. This role will lead pre-construction planning, MEP estimating, bid development, and subcontractor procurement for complex Army construction work, including a major project in Puerto Rico. The hiring team is ideally looking for a seasoned Estimator with deep mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) experience who can support projects from development through bidding, evaluation, and award.
What You’ll Do:
- Develop Independent Cost Estimates (ICE) and ROM estimates across all design phases
- Perform detailed quantity take-offs and MEP estimating
- Prepare pricing packages for RFP/RFQ submissions
- Source, qualify, and evaluate subcontractor bids
- Support bid leveling, negotiations, and award recommendations
- Coordinate with engineering, development, utilities, and construction teams
- Facilitate pre-bid walks and support proposal compliance
What You Bring:
- High school diploma (or GED) required; bachelor's degree (preferred)
- Fluent Spanish and English
- 7 years of industrial/commercial pre-construction and estimating experience
- Strong MEP estimating background (mechanical, electrical, controls)
- Proficiency with RSMeans and industry estimating tools
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced federal environment
- Experience supporting federal or public-sector construction projects (preferred)
Salary : $54 - $60