What are the responsibilities and job description for the Estimator position at Catapult Federal Services?
Skilled Trades
Dallas, TX Apr 27, 2026
Estimator
Department: Preconstruction
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) – Fully On-Site
Role Type: Full-time
About Our Client
Our client is an award-winning Commercial General Contractor headquartered in North Texas with over 120 years of collective experience. Specializing in multi-site, public, and private projects—ranging from renovations to large-scale ground-up builds—they are a trusted partner to major brands across the healthcare, education, and commercial sectors. As a recognized "Best Place to Work" and a leader in construction excellence, the company operates with a family-centric, high-energy culture rooted in entrepreneurial spirit and community partnership. They are deeply committed to workforce development and operational excellence, ensuring every project is delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
Job Description
As an Estimator, you will lead the preparation of comprehensive estimates and ensure the accuracy of subcontractor bids to secure profitable project awards. You will act as the primary liaison between Owners, Architects, and Consultants during the preconstruction phase, managing bid proposals for GMAX, Cost Plus, or Stipulated Sum contracts. This role is vital for bridging the gap between design and operations, ensuring that all project specifications and financial objectives are met.
Working within a nimble, two-person estimating team, you will collaborate closely with the Director of Preconstruction to validate numbers and qualify bid tabs. Your day-to-day will involve a mix of deep quantitative analysis and active stakeholder engagement, including conducting pre-bid walks and presenting proposals to clients. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with a "growth mindset" who thrives in an "all-hands-on-deck" environment where cultural fit is as important as technical expertise.
Duties And Responsibilities
APPLY NOW!
*Connect with your Catapult Recruiter: Kailyn Hartley, directly at kailyn.hartley@catapultsg.com *
Dallas, TX Apr 27, 2026
Estimator
Department: Preconstruction
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) – Fully On-Site
Role Type: Full-time
About Our Client
Our client is an award-winning Commercial General Contractor headquartered in North Texas with over 120 years of collective experience. Specializing in multi-site, public, and private projects—ranging from renovations to large-scale ground-up builds—they are a trusted partner to major brands across the healthcare, education, and commercial sectors. As a recognized "Best Place to Work" and a leader in construction excellence, the company operates with a family-centric, high-energy culture rooted in entrepreneurial spirit and community partnership. They are deeply committed to workforce development and operational excellence, ensuring every project is delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
Job Description
As an Estimator, you will lead the preparation of comprehensive estimates and ensure the accuracy of subcontractor bids to secure profitable project awards. You will act as the primary liaison between Owners, Architects, and Consultants during the preconstruction phase, managing bid proposals for GMAX, Cost Plus, or Stipulated Sum contracts. This role is vital for bridging the gap between design and operations, ensuring that all project specifications and financial objectives are met.
Working within a nimble, two-person estimating team, you will collaborate closely with the Director of Preconstruction to validate numbers and qualify bid tabs. Your day-to-day will involve a mix of deep quantitative analysis and active stakeholder engagement, including conducting pre-bid walks and presenting proposals to clients. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with a "growth mindset" who thrives in an "all-hands-on-deck" environment where cultural fit is as important as technical expertise.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Oversee the preparation of full "cradle-to-grave" estimates for commercial projects ranging from $5M to $80M.
- Review architectural drawings and plans to prepare accurate quantity take-offs.
- Identify omitted items in negotiated work to ensure the full scope is represented in estimate packages.
- Solicit and analyze 3–5 subcontractor bids per trade for conformance to price and quality specifications.
- Lead bid-day activities by qualifying numbers and running comprehensive bid tabs.
- Maintain a centralized cost-estimating database using historical data to inform future bids.
- Attend client meetings to explain estimates, resolve pricing issues, and build long-term trust.
- Collaborate with Project Managers and Superintendents to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction to operations.
- Conduct post-project analysis to compare estimated costs against actual costs for process improvement.
- Monitor trends in construction codes and material costs to ensure bids remain competitive and compliant.
- 3–5 years of general construction estimating experience (interiors, K-12, Healthcare, or Commercial New builds).
- Strong competency in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) estimating is mandatory.
- Demonstrated experience with Procore, Bluebeam, Planswift, and MS Project.
- Proven ability to manage high-volume information flow and prioritize tasks under bid-day pressure.
- Excellent articulation and presentation skills for client-facing engagements.
- Analytical ability to question incomplete data and develop logical, timely solutions.
- For experienced candidates, a strong, existing network of go-to subcontractors in the DFW area.
- Specific experience estimating for data centers or semiconductor fabrication projects.
- Experience in a small-company, family-centric environment where roles are fluid.
- Coachability and openness to training for candidates with 1–2 years of experience.
- Familiarity with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) meeting structures.
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent professional work experience.
- Salary: Base range of $80,000 (1–2 years exp.) up to $120,000 (5 years exp.), with flexibility for exceptional MEP expertise.
- Auto Allowance: $650 per month for travel and site walks.
- Health, 401(k), & Time off
APPLY NOW!
*Connect with your Catapult Recruiter: Kailyn Hartley, directly at kailyn.hartley@catapultsg.com *
- NOT AVAILABLE FOR C2C CONTRACTING*
Salary : $80,000