We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Mechanical Estimator to join our Estimating team in our Vancouver office and be an integral part of delivering continued success within this department.
In addition to your day-to-day estimating responsibilities, you will prepare accurate tender pricing from available information, including drawings, specifications, and project documentation, while supporting competitive bid submissions and successful project execution.
Why This Role Matters to Modern Niagara
This position is critical to ensuring the success of Modern Niagara's projects by delivering accurate and competitive estimates that form the foundation for winning bids and executing projects effectively. The Mechanical Estimator plays a key role in maintaining profitability, supporting strategic growth, and strengthening client relationships through precise cost analysis and informed decision-making.
Key Impact / Purpose
- Provides reliable cost predictions and identifies project risks.
- Enables Modern Niagara to secure projects while ensuring budgets are realistic and achievable for operational teams.
- Supports successful project planning through accurate mechanical estimating and budget development.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform quantity takeoffs including entry into estimating software.
- Prepare, review, and submit bid documents to ensure all bid requirements are met.
- Assemble all elements of an estimate including labour, materials, equipment, subcontractor pricing, and project-specific costs.
- Prepare takeoffs using drawings and documents that may be less than 100% complete.
- Understand labour variances between project types and apply appropriate correction factors.
- Provide detailed labour breakdowns for each project area to assist with budget creation and project management.
- Prepare budgets for prospective projects.
- Attend and participate in site visits, pre-bid meetings, and post-bid meetings as required.
- Participate in estimating turnover meetings with project teams to support planning and budget development.
- Establish strong relationships with suppliers and subtrades to ensure competitive pricing is obtained.
- Review projects to develop winning bid strategies.
- Review final cost reports with project teams and contribute to historical costing databases.
- Interpret client requirements, specifications, and design information to ensure complete mechanical systems are properly estimated.
- Critically review requests for proposal, preliminary designs, estimates, and supporting documentation to support informed decision-making.
- Assist in determining which projects Modern Niagara should pursue based on backlog, complexity, schedule, client requirements, available resources, and target markets.
- Complete all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Modern Niagara's estimating policies and procedures.
Must Haves
- Post-secondary diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Construction Technology, or a related discipline; OR
- Extensive experience in a mechanical contracting trade (CET or Engineering designation considered an asset); OR
- 2+ years of relevant Mechanical Estimating experience with strong exposure to preparing cost estimates and proposals for commercial, institutional, industrial, or infrastructure construction projects.
- Strong understanding of mechanical systems including HVAC, plumbing, piping, sheet metal, and hydronic systems.
- Previous experience producing detailed estimates and proposal documentation.
- Ability to read and interpret specifications, mechanical drawings, and construction documents.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Self-motivated with a strong desire to learn and continuously improve.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations, analyze project documentation, understand contracts, cost coding systems, and work breakdown structures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint).
- Experience with estimating software such as Trimble Autobid Mechanical, QuickPen, FastPIPE, QuoteSoft, or equivalent is considered an asset.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Works effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Nice to Haves
- Experience estimating design-build and integrated project delivery (IPD) projects.
- Experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, data centre, industrial, or mission-critical projects.
- Knowledge of local Vancouver and Lower Mainland construction markets.
Compensation
This is a new position.
Expected annual compensation: $80,000 - $100,000
Modern Niagara Offers a Competitive Total Compensation Package Including:
- Performance-based bonus opportunities.
- Defined Contribution Pension Plan with generous employer contributions.
- Flexible Health and Dental benefits with tiered options to meet the needs of you and your family.
- Annual Health Spending Account to support your overall wellness.
- 24/7 confidential support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- Competitive vacation package with additional vacation granted throughout your tenure.
- Employer-paid Parental Leave Top-Up.
- Annual Community Day dedicated to volunteering and giving back.
- Corporate discounts on fitness memberships, mobile plans, travel, home and auto insurance, and more.
Here at Modern Niagara, because we know our people are the best in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing a total compensation package that rewards employees for their hard work and supports employees and their families in their overall wellbeing.
About Modern Niagara
Who We Are
Modern Niagara helps building owners, managers, and general contractors meet the mechanical, electrical, integrated building technology, and building services needs of their buildings across Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Southwestern Ontario, and Ottawa.
We are committed to having a positive and meaningful impact on Canada's infrastructure and on the communities where we live, learn, work, and heal. We build for life.
Our Culture & Values
We value passion, initiative, determination, professionalism, and teamwork. Health and safety are embedded in everything we do, and our award-winning safety culture consistently performs well above industry standards.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Modern Niagara
We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone has access to opportunity, feels a sense of belonging, and can thrive. We actively work to remove barriers faced by members of equity-seeking groups, including women, Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada, within the construction industry.
We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and are committed to a barrier-free hiring process.
If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact careers@modernniagara.com so we can make appropriate arrangements.
We appreciate every applicant's interest in joining Modern Niagara. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
