What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Estimator - Commercial Refrigeration position at DHR Mechanical?
Company Background
Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety
DHR is part of Kelso Industries, with 3,500 employees across 29 operating companies, delivers top HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a high-performing team. Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com
Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.
Project Estimator – Refrigeration
Location: Atlanta, GA (Home Base)
Travel: Up to 25% travel across the Southeast U.S. for site walks, customer meetings, and bid coordination
Company: DHR Mechanical (a Kelso Industries Company)
Supermarket Refrigeration | DX & CO2 | Estimating | Bid Development
About DHR Mechanical
DHR Mechanical is a trusted name in commercial refrigeration and HVAC solutions with almost 30 years operating across the Southeast United States (FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, AL) while partnering with regional and national clients in supermarkets, cold storage warehousing, retail, healthcare, education, and hospitality. Backed by Kelso Industries, we are building a team of hands-on leaders who can scale operations, develop field talent, and drive consistent execution across projects.
We are adding an additional Project Estimator to support growth and accuracy for commercial refrigeration construction projects.
Position Overview
You'll generate accurate, complete, and competitive bids for commercial refrigeration construction projects. As the Estimator, you'll own the bid process from invitation through award, including takeoff, labor and material pricing, subcontractor and vendor solicitation, scope clarification, and proposal presentation.
This is a high-impact role with direct influence on win rate, project margin, and DHR's growth across the Southeast.
What You’ll Do
What We’re Looking For
✔ Estimators who own their numbers and take pride in accuracy
✔ Professionals comfortable balancing technical detail communication
✔ Individuals who think beyond one bid and want to improve the system
✔ People who can operate in a fast-paced, multi-project environment
Why Join Us?
We’re committed to attracting talented individuals who seek a company with a strong foundation of success and an outstanding culture. We proactively provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and clear pathways for career advancement with autonomy and flexibility in an entrepreneurial environment.
Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com
Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety
DHR is part of Kelso Industries, with 3,500 employees across 29 operating companies, delivers top HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a high-performing team. Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com
Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.
Project Estimator – Refrigeration
Location: Atlanta, GA (Home Base)
Travel: Up to 25% travel across the Southeast U.S. for site walks, customer meetings, and bid coordination
Company: DHR Mechanical (a Kelso Industries Company)
Supermarket Refrigeration | DX & CO2 | Estimating | Bid Development
About DHR Mechanical
DHR Mechanical is a trusted name in commercial refrigeration and HVAC solutions with almost 30 years operating across the Southeast United States (FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, AL) while partnering with regional and national clients in supermarkets, cold storage warehousing, retail, healthcare, education, and hospitality. Backed by Kelso Industries, we are building a team of hands-on leaders who can scale operations, develop field talent, and drive consistent execution across projects.
We are adding an additional Project Estimator to support growth and accuracy for commercial refrigeration construction projects.
Position Overview
You'll generate accurate, complete, and competitive bids for commercial refrigeration construction projects. As the Estimator, you'll own the bid process from invitation through award, including takeoff, labor and material pricing, subcontractor and vendor solicitation, scope clarification, and proposal presentation.
This is a high-impact role with direct influence on win rate, project margin, and DHR's growth across the Southeast.
What You’ll Do
- Review bid invites, drawings, specs, and contract documents
- Perform detailed takeoffs (piping, equipment, controls, etc.)
- Build accurate labor material estimates using internal metrics
- Solicit and level subcontractor and vendor quotes
- Coordinate equipment pricing (racks, cases, EMS, condensing units)
- Prepare clear, detailed proposals with defined scope, inclusions, and exclusions
- Submit RFIs and manage addenda / scope clarifications
- Lead turnover meetings to ensure clean handoff to operations
- Track bid results and improve pricing strategy over time
- Supermarket refrigeration installations
- DX and CO2 (R-744) systems
- EMS and controls integration
- Multi-location projects across the Southeast
What We’re Looking For
- 5 years in specialty trades roles such as: construction estimating, project coordination, or project management
- Strong background in mechanical systems with a focus on commercial refrigeration (DX, CO2, multiplex racks)
- Ability to read and interpret refrigeration legends, mechanical drawings, specs, electrical schematics, and EMS diagrams
- Experience with takeoff / estimating tools (e.g. PlanSwift, Quickpen, QuoteSoft, FastEst, AutoCAD, Revit, etc.)
- Proven ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously under deadlines
- Strong communication skills (written verbal)
- Background estimating for national supermarket programs (e.g. Publix, Kroger, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Aldi) or large cold storage / industrial refrigeration accounts
- Prior experience as a refrigeration foreman, journeyman, or service technician before transitioning into estimating
- Hands-on or estimating experience with trans critical CO2 (R-744) installations and DX-to-CO2 conversions.
- Experience pricing low voltage and EMS controls scope (Danfoss, CPC, Emerson E2, Honeywell).
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- Competitive base salary bonus
- Vehicle allowance / travel support
- Company phone Company laptop
- Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.)
- 401(k) with company match
- Opportunity to grow with a fast-scaling platform backed by Kelso Industries
✔ Estimators who own their numbers and take pride in accuracy
✔ Professionals comfortable balancing technical detail communication
✔ Individuals who think beyond one bid and want to improve the system
✔ People who can operate in a fast-paced, multi-project environment
Why Join Us?
We’re committed to attracting talented individuals who seek a company with a strong foundation of success and an outstanding culture. We proactively provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and clear pathways for career advancement with autonomy and flexibility in an entrepreneurial environment.
Learn more about us at www.kelso-industries.com