Data Center Controls Estimator

Location: Northern Virginia

Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Salary: $115,000–$155,000 DOE

Project Focus: Data Centers | Mission Critical | BAS/BMS Controls

Why Join Us?

Join a growing controls organization supporting complex, high-profile data center projects in one of the nation’s largest mission-critical markets. This role offers the opportunity to combine technical controls expertise with preconstruction strategy while working on sophisticated BAS/BMS, electrical, and automation systems.

Role Overview

The Data Center Controls Estimator develops comprehensive labor, material, equipment, engineering, and subcontractor estimates for large-scale controls projects. This position partners closely with engineering, project management, vendors, and operations to develop competitive, accurate, and executable proposals.

Key Responsibilities

• Review construction drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, controls schematics, and sequences of operation.
• Perform detailed material and equipment takeoffs for controls projects.
• Estimate BAS/BMS, PLC, EPMS, instrumentation, control panels, networking, and field installation requirements.
• Develop labor estimates for installation, engineering, programming, testing, startup, and commissioning.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor and subcontractor pricing.
• Develop scopes of work, bid proposals, assumptions, exclusions, and alternates.
• Identify scope gaps, project risks, and potential change-order exposure.
• Coordinate estimates with engineering and project management teams.
• Support value engineering and proposal development.
• Maintain estimating databases and historical project cost information.
• Assist with bid reviews and project handoffs to operations.

Success Metrics

• Accurate and complete estimates with minimal scope gaps.
• Competitive proposals aligned with project requirements.
• Effective identification of project risks, exclusions, and assumptions.
• Timely completion of estimates and bid packages.
• Strong handoff from estimating to project execution teams.

Who You Are

You understand both the technical and financial sides of controls construction. You can break down complex drawings and sequences of operation, determine what equipment and labor will be required, and translate that information into a clear and defensible project estimate.

You’re detail-oriented, commercially aware, and comfortable collaborating with engineers, project managers, vendors, and field operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3–7+ years of estimating experience within controls, BAS/BMS, electrical, HVAC, automation, or mission-critical construction.
• Data center controls estimating experience strongly preferred.
• Strong ability to read construction drawings, specifications, controls schematics, and sequences of operation.
• Understanding of BAS/BMS, PLC, EPMS, instrumentation, networking, and controls installation preferred.
• Experience developing material, equipment, labor, engineering, and commissioning estimates.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Excel required or strongly preferred.
• Experience with Accubid, Trimble, or comparable estimating software is a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• 401(k) with multiple investment options
• Training and development programs
• Employee discount programs
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Vehicle purchase discount programs
• Long-term career development opportunities

Apply Now

If you have a strong controls or electrical estimating background and want to specialize in complex, high-value data center projects, apply today to explore this opportunity.

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