Description
Title: Estimator, Solar
Department: SP Construction
Location: Ankeny, IA
Supervisor: Senior Director of Project Planning
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent; Full-time
Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid
Estimator, Solar
Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (HQC US) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.
The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.
As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.
SUMMARY
As an Estimator in our utility-scale solar Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company, you will play a crucial role in the successful execution of our projects. You will work closely with various departments to accurately estimate costs and resources required for utility-scale solar projects. Your expertise will guide decision-making processes, ensuring the profitability and efficiency of our projects. Your primary focus will be providing firm bid/submittal documents and cost estimates inclusive of the electrical/mechanical/civil pricing by leveling, reviewing, and analyzing subcontractor and material proposals, performing take-offs, scope reviews, risk identification, engineering optimization, and increasing margins through identifying cost efficiencies. This position reports to the Sr. Director of Project Planning, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position is remote (Unless located in Irvine, CA) and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 20%.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cost Estimation
- Oversee the preparation of detailed cost estimates for utility-scale solar projects, including materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
- Analyze project specifications, drawings, and other documents to accurately determine project scope and requirements.
- Utilize historical data, industry benchmarks, and market trends to ensure cost estimates are realistic and competitive.
- Review and validate subcontractor bids and quotations.
- Generate and manage project budgets through project award.
- Develop and manage cost models.
- Use computer estimating software to create and compile estimates.
- Develop assemblies in estimating software.
- Review and redline project design drawings.
- Understand self-perform best practices and means and methods to build project cost estimates from scratch.
- Understand job costing methodologies for use in the creation of WBS coded estimates.
- Technical Analysis/Due Diligence
- Analyze and interpret project development documents such as geotechnical reports, pile load tests, hydrology reports, ALTA and topography documents, environmental, cultural, and biological reports.
- Perform site evaluations and reports to inform project cost.
- Identify local resources such as water sources, rock quarries, and local suppliers.
- Resource Planning
- Collaborate with project managers to develop resource plans based on estimated costs and project schedules.
- Identify and quantify resource requirements, including manpower, equipment, and materials.
- Optimize resource allocation to maximize efficiency and minimize project risks.
- Develop labor productivity and (installation unit costs where applicable) based on projected site conditions and historical data;
- Identify local prevailing wage and labor requirements.
- Identify local and/or state labor ratio requirements.
- Risk Management
- Identify potential risks and uncertainties associated with project estimates.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address identified risks.
- Conduct sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of various factors on project costs and profitability.
- Bid Preparation
- Prepare comprehensive bid proposals in response to client requests for proposals (RFPs) and invitations to bid (ITBs).
- Ensure bid proposals are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project requirements and company objectives.
- Collaborate with business development and sales teams to develop pricing strategies.
- Participate in bid review meetings.
- Create subcontractors scopes of work.
- Vendor and Supplier Management
- Maintain relationships with vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure competitive pricing and timely delivery of materials and services.
- Evaluate vendor performance and negotiate pricing agreements to achieve cost savings and improve project profitability.
- Engage with new local contractors for potential use on the project.
- Quality Assurance
- Review project estimates to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company standards and industry best practices.
- Implement quality assurance processes to validate project estimates and identify areas for improvement.
- General Requirements
- Have a strong understanding of self-perform constructability;
- Knowledge of electrical calculations, including wire loss, wire sizing, equipment rating, over-current protection, etc.
- The ability to generate PVSYST reports is a plus.
- Have a general understanding of current PV equipment (Tracker, inverter) and impacts of each system;
- Keep up-to-date on local building codes;
- Create and maintain project directives;
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or relevant certificate from college or technical school. No degree will be considered if relevant experience exceeds 3 years;
- 3+ years relevant experience in estimating and project management, with at least 3 years of experience in utility-scale solar projects. (Construction, energy industry preferred);
- Experience in similar industries directly related to electrical will be considered.
- Background in commercial construction, electrical equipment supply, and/or power plant engineering.
- Strong understanding of Solar and Battery storage installation and Best Practices.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 20%
- Strong oral and written communication skills, computer fluency, agile and effective negotiator with clear oral and written explanations required;
- Work experience in construction-related estimation (solar PV and BESS projects in particular) strongly preferred
- Proficiency in cost estimation software and tools, such as HCSS HeavyBid or similar applications.
- Advanced knowledge in Microsoft office Suite, Bluebeam, Smartsheet, and Procore experience is preferred.
- Self motivated, superior organization skills and attention to detail
- Assertive, ability to cope with dynamic surroundings;
- Proven leadership and management skills, with experience leading teams and managing multiple projects simultaneousl
SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION
The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be remote (Unless located in Irvine, CA) is $100,000 – $120,000 base salary per year.
The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the jobs minimum qualifications. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
- Travel: up to 20% as needed
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Regular professional, office business setting
- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.
We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at [email protected].
Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.