Estimator Special Projects in Buffalo Grove, Illinois at Zonatherm Products, Inc

JOB SUMMARY

With over 50 years of proven performance, Zonatherm Products and ThermFlo provide complete, end-to-end solutions for essential and mission critical power and cooling systems—serving industries from data centers, hospitals, and municipalities to industrial and commercial facilities. From initial planning and expert guidance to custom equipment, system design, installation, and ongoing support, we deliver a fully integrated approach that keeps operations running smoothly.

The Estimator Special Projects will lead design-build commercial electrical projects focused on mission-critical power systems. This role is responsible for developing project scope, pricing work without complete drawings, creating construction plans, and managing execution through commissioning. This is not a traditional estimating role—you will define the project, build the plan, and deliver the result. While the Estimator operates with a high degree of independence, they have the support of a team for technical expertise and design validation on complex scopes of work.

This role is ideal for a detail-driven professional who thrives on responsibility while valuing collaboration on technically challenging projects.

The Estimator Special Projects supports the creation of project solutions through customers in IL, IN, and WI tri-state area.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Their main duties include:

Preconstruction, Client Consulting, & Concept Development

• Consult and build trusted relationships with clients to define project scope, constraints, and uptime requirements for mission critical work for facility upgrades and construction.
• Perform site walks and assess existing electrical infrastructure to design efficient and modern systems for industrial applications.
• Develop conceptual designs, including one-lines, equipment layouts, and system approaches for retrofitting facilities and greenfield construction.
• Define system solutions for generators, UPS systems, distribution equipment, and redundancy strategies for onsite data centers and backup power generation.

Estimating & Proposal Development

• Prepare conceptual and progressive estimates based on various levels design information from result driven concepts to specific facility designs and applications.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor pricing for major power generation and electrical equipment and subcontracted specialty work for industrial clients.
• Build detailed scope narratives, including assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions in both technical and accessible language for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze and evaluate cost options and value-engineering solutions for clients and internal stakeholders and driving effective and efficient projects and internal estimating processes.

Construction Planning & Coordination

• Own and develop construction plans covering phasing, sequencing, shutdowns, tie-ins, and temporary power needs for industrial applications.
• Collaborate with field leadership to ensure constructability and alignment with project complexity and unexpected barriers to execution.
• Partner with Operations and the Commercial Team to align estimates with project execution strategies to organizational priorities and annual goals.
• Review and analyze project plans and specifications for new construction and upgrades to mission-critical facilities from manufacturers and client engineering.

Vendor, Subcontractor & Client Support

• Solicitation, review, and evaluation of subcontractor bids and scopes of work.
• Support and grow established supplier and subcontractor relationships to ensure competitive pricing and reliable delivery that drives market intelligence and new opportunities.
• Support customers and quoting efforts across the Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin tri-state region.

Internal Oversight and Team Collaboration

• Lead meetings and manage risks and changes during projects with both internal and external stakeholders, including procurement and equipment management, oversight of submittals, approvals, and delivery logistics.
• Own testing, commissioning, and closeout process for projects and propose upgraded workflows to drive efficiency.
• Coordinate startup, commissioning, system testing, delivery of as-builts, O&M manuals, and test reports.
• Manage successful project turnover to the appropriate client construction teams with zero impact on operations.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Comprehends and adheres to all safety, quality, and Company guidelines specified in the Employee Handbook, the safety policy manuals, quality procedures, or any official Company documents.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in project management in industrial/commercial electrical construction and retrofitting.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Ability to listen effectively and understand the needs of internal and external customers. Ability to talk with customers, coworkers, and vendors, and appropriately adjust technical content to meet different audience knowledge. Must be resourceful, self-motivated, customer focused, and results driven.
• Collaborative: Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with engineers, tradesmen, and project teams.
• Project Management: Demonstrated project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, and risk assessment and excellent analytical, organizational, and communication abilities.
• Computer Proficiency: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Strong understanding of CRM software and ability to track and analyze customer data and reporting.

PREFERABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Certifications: Electrical Estimating Certification (e.g., NECA or IEC programs), and Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – PMI
• Experience: 5+ years of electrical systems in commercial construction for mission critical facility equipment and building automation systems preferred.
• Customer Interaction Experience: Works well in a collaborative environment and is resourceful, self-motivated, customer focused, and results driven.

WORK AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving/Travel Responsibilities: This position requires weekly site visits. Efforts are primarily focused within the Chicagoland area/tristate region, and the home office is in Buffalo Grove. Occasional national travel may be required to support prospects, clients, and related events such as trade shows, etc. A valid driver’s license, current automobile insurance, and valid passport are required.
• Physical Demands: This position requires the ability to operate within an office environment and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodation will be provided aligned with current federal and state regulations upon request.
• Work Environment: This position will have a similar split between working in a professional office environment and working in field environments.
• Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This is a salaried, full-time position operating Monday-Friday 8AM – 5PM CST with regular travel to work sites and occasional evening and weekend requirements in the case of customer emergencies.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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