What are the responsibilities and job description for the Custom Sign Estimator position at HES Sign?
Job Title: Custom Sign Estimator
Location: Wilmington, DE
Company: HES Sign
Job Type: Full-Time
About HES Sign: For over 14 years, HES Sign has been a trusted leader in providing premium, full-service signage solutions across the Delaware Valley. From concept and design to engineering, permitting, custom fabrication, and final installation, we handle it all. Our diverse portfolio includes everything from massive exterior pylon and monument signs to architectural interior graphics, channel letters, and digital message centers.
We are expanding our team and looking for a meticulous, forward-thinking Sign Estimator who loves structural puzzles, values precision, and wants to play a pivotal role in bringing our clients' branding to life.
Position Overview: As a Sign Estimator at HES Sign, you won't just be plugging numbers into a spreadsheet. Every project we build is custom-made. You will review architectural blueprints, design renderings, and site survey data to accurately calculate the material, labor, engineering, permitting, and installation costs for highly complex exterior and interior sign projects. You will collaborate closely with our sales, design, and fabrication teams to ensure our bids are highly competitive, accurate, and profitable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Analyze & Scope: Review detailed design renderings, structural blueprints, site photos, and survey data to fully understand the scope of custom signage requests.
- Cost Estimation: Calculate accurate take-offs for raw materials (aluminum, steel, acrylic, LEDs, vinyl), specialized fabrication labor, and installation equipment (cranes, bucket trucks).
- Vendor Procurement: Obtain and evaluate competitive quotes from third-party vendors for specialized materials, structural engineering, or localized subcontracted installation.
- Collaboration: Work alongside sales executives to refine pricing strategies and assist the production team in transitioning won bids into active fabrication files.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements):
- Sign Industry Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of estimating experience specifically within the custom sign manufacturing industry (highly preferred) OR a strong background in custom architectural metal fabrication, commercial glazing, or specialty construction estimating.
- Blueprint Literacy: Ability to confidently read and interpret architectural blueprints, site plans, and engineering drawings.
- Technical Savvy: Proficiency with sign-industry pricing software or advanced spreadsheet modeling. Experience reading vector design files (Adobe Illustrator/CorelDRAW) is a major plus.
- Analytical Mindset: Exceptional mathematical skills and a hyper-focused attention to detail. You notice the small structural complexities that others miss.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication to effectively bridge the gap between clients, vendors, and our internal shop artisans.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary based on industry experience
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
- Retirement savings plan options.
- A collaborative, team-oriented culture where your input directly impacts the company’s growth and the landscape of the local community.
To Apply: If you have a passion for precision and want to be part of a team that manufactures the highest quality corporate and retail signs in the region, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume along with a brief cover letter highlighting your experience with custom fabrication or sign estimating to dnewlin@yesco.com
HES Sign is an Equal Opportunity Employer.