Solar Estimator - Pfister Energy

Pfister Energy, Inc.Energy is a renewable energy company providing innovative power solutions, with an emphasis on Distributed Generation Solar, for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. We are a national developer and EPC of turnkey renewable energy, on-site distributed power generation systems, with over 750 megawatts (MW) of solar electric power (PV) installed in the United States. Pfister Energy provides in-house project development, engineering, pre-construction, project management, installation, system commissioning, and operations/maintenance.

Our Core Principles form the foundation for Pfister Energy’s work ethic and approach for creating long-lasting relationships with our people, customers, vendors, subcontractors, and partners. We select and promote our people, as well as choose our partners based upon alignment with our Core Principles:

• Work with Integrity and Accountability
• Actively Communicate and Respond Promptly
• Always strive for Excellence
• Innovate and Collaborate
• Seek wisdom and Continuously Improve

About the role

We are searching for a Solar Estimator with 5 years of prior EPC Estimating Experience. This position will report to the Director of Preconstruction. We are looking for a result-oriented and perseverant individual who takes a lot of initiative and who has superior Attention to Detail, who can help us rise to the challenge of building the energy of the future in the competitive and exciting Solar industry.

Job Responsibilities

Development Estimating

• Work closely with internal and external sources to deduce interconnection requirements for a given utility and determine interconnection costs for BTM and FTM projects.
• Coordinate with Development and Engineering to create preliminary design budgets for Development projects.

EPC Estimating

• Responsible for preparing competitive, accurate, and timely cost estimates and schedules for DG scale (0.5MW-50MW) C&I Rooftop, Carport, and Ground-Mount renewable energy projects (Solar and EV Charging) in the Preconstruction phase.
• Thoroughly investigates the specifications, scope of work, drawings, other RFP documents and develops a complete understanding of the RFP requirements. Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the contract documents and the potential risks for a project.
• Read and interpret solar construction drawings and perform accurate project takeoffs in a timely manner.
• Manage subcontractor and vendor relationships and entire RFP process including NDA
• Work closely with Engineering to provide value-engineering suggestions based on current industry costs.
• Work closely with Accounting team to provide accurate estimates of internal company costs for projects.
• Perform detailed Subcontractor and Vendor Descopes to ensure well normalized bids.
• Makes well-supported Subcontractor recommendations on how to mitigate and price all risks associated with a project.
• Responsible for timely delivering the complete RFP Response including proposal, pricing breakdown, preliminary schedule.
• Maintain records and database for Costs, Subcontractors, Vendors, and other data.

Pre-Construction

• Create Contract and Construction schedules in collaboration with Project Management, Construction, and Engineering.
• Assist in EPC Contract Negotiation.
• Responsible for Pre-Qualification of Subcontractors and Vendors.
• Assist in Selecting, Negotiating, and Executing Contracts with Subcontractors.
• Coordinate with Racking Vendor (or Pull Testing company) to ensure timely completion of Pull Testing.
• Set up and manage the Submittals process for all Subcontractor Scopes on Procore.
• Set up and co-lead Preconstruction Page Turn meetings.

Process Improvement

• Lead ‘Lessons Learned’ meetings at the end of each project. Identify project setbacks and develop a rectification plan.
• Continuously review ‘Actual’ cost data from active and completed projects to improve cost estimates on future projects.
• Receive feedback from Construction team about performance of Subcontractors on field, track the feedback in an efficient manner, and apply the same in future Subcontractor selection.
• Identify bottlenecks in Processes and work on creative solutions to improve efficiencies.
• Set up Learning sessions with Subject Matter Experts for Continuous Learning.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• MS Office proficiency (strong Excel skills a must, MS OneNote skills preferred).
• Procore and Smartsheet proficiency is preferred.
• Exceptional ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
• Prominent Organizational, Project Management, and Data-Entry skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent note-taking ability and strong retention power.
• Strong coordination skills to support a cross-functional team as well as time management, active listening, verbal and written communication, critical thinking, analytics, and reasoning skills.
• Superior attention to detail, ability to learn quickly and independently.
• Outstanding mathematical skills, including application and use in problem-solving.
• Passion for Continuous Process Improvement, identify bottlenecks in current processes, think outside the box to come up with innovative yet practical solutions.
• Driven by natural curiosity and a results-driven problem-solving mentality; asking and getting answers to the right questions. Passion for continuing education and career growth.
• Driver's License.

Qualifications/Required Experience

• Candidate needs to have minimum 3 years of work experience in a Solar EPC.
• Experience in Subcontract tendering and response evaluation is required.
• Completed Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Construction Management, Energy Economics, Energy Systems/Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics or related areas is preferred.
• Familiarity with electrical design components and/or engineering is considered a strong plus.
• Experience with Self-Perform Estimating is a strong plus.

Note: This position is only open to candidates who are currently residing in the United States.

Pfister Energy is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pfister Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters and/or third parties in response to our job postings. Any unsolicited resumes become property of Pfister Energy and we reserve the right to pursue and hire any such candidate