What are the responsibilities and job description for the Steel Estimator position at Trueline?
Trueline is seeking a Structural Steel Estimator to join their onsite team in Modesto, CA. This is a high-impact role for an estimator who wants ownership of the bid pipeline, strong GC relationships, and a direct line to company growth. This role goes beyond estimating. You will be the face of the steel scope, partnering closely with General Contractors, and shaping bid strategy.
Must-Haves as the Structural Steel Estimator:
- 5 years of hands-on experience estimating structural steel projects
- Proven track record of awarded steel projects, not just bids submitted
- Strong experience with value engineering steel packages and complex scopes
- Ability to assess risk, identify constructability challenges, and price them correctly
- Background working closely with a steel fabrication shop and understanding shop-to-field workflows
- Expert ability to read and interpret complex structural and architectural drawings
- Working knowledge of AISC standards and steel detailing concepts
- Confidence leading scope clarification and post-bid negotiations with General Contractors
- Experience using tools such as Bluebeam, Tekla PowerFab, or similar estimating software
What You'll Do as the Structural Steel Estimator:
- Lead full-cycle estimating for structural steel, miscellaneous metals, and deck on public and private projects
- Perform detailed quantity take-offs from architectural and structural drawings, including beams, columns, connections, misc metals, and decking
- Develop accurate cost models covering material, shop labor, field labor, equipment, and subcontracted work
- Evaluate project risk, constructability, and scope gaps early and price accordingly
- Participate in pre-bid meetings and post-bid scope reviews with GCs to clarify scope and close work
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with a core group of General Contractors and developers
- Support value engineering efforts by proposing alternate materials or fabrication methods without sacrificing quality or performance
- Track historical bids, follow up on awarded and lost work, and continuously refine estimating strategy
Nice-to-Haves as the Structural Steel Estimator:
- Existing relationships with regional General Contractors or developers
- Industry reputation for accuracy, integrity, and follow-through
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment with overlapping bid deadlines
- Desire to grow into a senior or lead estimator role with long-term upside
This Role Offers:
- Base salary range of $100K to $120K for junior level candidates
- Significantly higher base salary for proven high producers
- Annual bonus tied to company profitability
- 100% Company paid health insurance for employees
- 401(k) with 3% Company Match
- 2 Weeks PTO
- The opportunity to own and shape the estimating function for a growing operation
- A tight-knit, quality-driven culture where leadership is hands-on and accountability matters
Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
Salary : $100,000 - $175,000