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Posted August 27, 2026

Mechanical Estimator

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
San Diego, California, United States 92101 Full Time
Reference: 286738854

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

POSITION SUMMARY

This Mechanical Estimator participates in all aspects of the bid/estimating process from review of plans/specs to soliciting and negotiating prices from contractors/suppliers through completion of bid/estimating effort, including closeout. The estimator will perform quantity take-offs, pricing, scoping and bidding of construction projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Perform quantity take-offs, change order pricingand pricing of mechanical and plumbing estimates
  • Develop and document logical assumptions during conceptual estimating activities, participate in estimate reviewand assist with final assembly of estimate
  • Solicit subcontractors during the bidding process and organize information post-bid for future reference
  • Track design development, estimate revisions, scope changes, trends, and budget impacts throughout the preconstruction process.
  • Support preparation and response to RFIs, bidder questions, addenda, and design clarifications affecting mechanical scope and pricing.
  • Review subcontractor and vendor proposals for compliance with project documents, owner requirements, design criteria, and applicable codes.
  • Assist with development of procurement strategies, long-lead equipment reviews, equipment budgets, and schedule-related cost impacts.
  • Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, trade partner interviews, and scope alignment meetings.
  • Coordinate mechanical estimate information with BIM and VDC teams to support model-based quantity validation and constructability reviews.
  • Maintain current cost history, subcontractor performance information, and lessons learned for future estimates.
  • Assist with estimating deliverables for owner presentations, interviews, proposals, and pursuit strategy.
  • Support project turnover by clearly communicating estimate basis, subcontractor commitments, procurement assumptions, unresolved scope items, and project risks to operations teams.
  • Assist with post-bid reconciliation, subcontractor award recommendations, and closeout of estimating documentation.
  • Communicate with project leads to clarify scope of work, materials, and schedule requirements
  • Conduct reviews of milestone documents for the development and pricing of value alternative opportunities and recommendations and to identify changes in work scope
  • Develop and maintain relationships with internal clients and subcontractors/vendors
  • Prepare scopes of work for subcontractors and suppliers and coordinate scopes of work across disciplines
  • Maintain current, working knowledge of MEP codes


QUALIFICATIONS

  • 2 years minimum experience in mechanical estimating with proven experience estimating large projects
  • Bachelor's degree in related field preferred
  • General knowledge of construction principles/process and of contractual delivery methods (negotiated/hard bids, GMP processes)
  • Knowledge of Microsoft programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.


McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

For Southern California locations only, the salary range for this position is: $90,000-$115,000. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors.

NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: McCarthys Talent Acquisition Team is the only authorized representative permitted to engage with external search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting partners. McCarthy maintains an Approved Agency List for recruiting partners, which is reviewed and updated annually.

McCarthy will only consider submissions from agencies with a signed fee agreement in place for the current year. McCarthy does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or referrals from agencies that do not meet these requirements.

If a candidate is submitted without an active agreement, McCarthy will have no obligation to pay any fees and reserves the right to contact, engage, interview, or hire such candidate(s) without any financial or other responsibility to the submitting agency. Unsolicited resumes, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be considered the property of McCarthy.





Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI286738854

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