Substation Estimator

About Us

Irby Construction Company has been building infrastructure for the power industry for more than 75 years. Our business values and performance-driven mindset guide our actions. Our approach to work starts with safety, puts people first, seeks to innovate, and promises to perform.

Irby is proud of its inclusive work environment, family-oriented culture, excellent benefits, and clear pathways for career growth. We strive to provide every employee with clear expectations and opportunities for advancement. What’s more, Irby has long long-valued tenure. In fact, many of our executive leaders started with Irby early in their careers and in the field.

When you join our team, you join an established firm, with a culture centered around its people. Teamwork is how we work. There is no other way. Pride is ever-present inside our offices and the bond of brotherhood runs strong among our crews. 

Irby Construction is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quanta Services. That means team Irby gets the benefits of the company culture we’re known for along with the stability and resources of a Fortune 500 organization. (NYSE: PWR). 

Build your career at Irby Construction.

About this Role

The Substation Estimator is responsible for developing accurate, competitive cost estimates and bid proposals for electrical substation construction, expansion, and upgrade projects. This role evaluates project drawings, specifications, material requirements, construction methods, labor and equipment needs, subcontractor quotations, and schedule constraints to support successful project pursuits. The Substation Estimator works closely with estimating leadership, engineering, procurement, project management, and field operations to develop complete, well-supported estimates for utility clients.

What You'll Do

• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for greenfield and brownfield substation construction, expansions, and upgrades.
• Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates for competitive bids and negotiated proposals.
• Review electrical and civil drawings, one-line diagrams, specifications, scopes of work, and bid documents to identify requirements and exclusions.
• Maintain accurate estimate files, takeoff worksheets, bid tabs, revisions, assumptions, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, procurement, and field operations to validate quantities, productivity, and construction approaches.
• Analyze proposal contracts, specifications, KMZ files, bills of material (BOM), equipment lists, submittals, and drawings for substation scope.
• Evaluate construction risks, outage and energization constraints, schedules, crew requirements, equipment needs, and site conditions.
• Prepare and review bid clarifications, qualifications, exclusions, and proposal submittals for compliance with client requirements.
• Develop pricing for civil foundations, structural steel, grounding, conduit, cable, buswork, transformers, breakers, switchgear, and associated installations.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level supplier and subcontractor quotations; verify scope coverage, lead times, and pricing assumptions.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, estimate reviews, and bid handoffs as required.
• Support project cost forecasts, value engineering, historical cost analysis, and continuous improvement of estimating methods.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct substation construction estimating experience required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience with estimating or takeoff software.
• Ability to interpret substation electrical and civil drawings, specifications, material lists, and construction scopes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate with vendors, subcontractors, and project teams.
• Demonstrated accuracy, organization, independent judgment, and ability to manage multiple estimates under bid deadlines.

Preferred

• Experience estimating utility substation greenfield, brownfield, expansion, or retrofit projects.
• Knowledge of substation equipment, foundations, grounding, buswork, conduit, cable, and construction sequencing.
• Familiarity with utility client standards, outage coordination, and transmission and distribution interfaces.
• Experience with Bluebeam, estimating databases, or comparable tools; professional estimating certification (AACE or ASPE) is a plus.

Physical Qualifications

• Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to substation project sites for pre-bid meetings and site assessments.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 20 pounds (e.g., project documents, laptop).
• Must be able to navigate construction sites safely when visiting field locations.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What You'll Get

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Multiple BCBS medical plan options, all with in-network preventive care covered at no cost, the same nationwide provider network, and access to virtual care for primary care, dermatology, general medical needs, and mental health support.
• Prescription Drug Coverage included with all medical plans, plus tools and advocacy support to help manage healthcare costs.
• Dental & Vision Coverage – Dental plans with 100% coverage for preventive care and orthodontia options for adults and children, plus vision coverage with annual exams and frame allowances.
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts – HSA options with Fidelity, Healthcare FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Care FSA (up to $7,500) to help you save on eligible healthcare and dependent expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match – Immediate eligibility and vesting, with a company match of 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 3% (up to 4.5% total match).
• Life & Disability Insurance – Company-paid basic life and AD&D coverage, plus optional supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents. Short-term and long-term disability coverage helps protect your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential mental health, financial, family, and wellbeing support available at no cost to you and your household.
• Voluntary Benefits – Optional accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, home/auto insurance, and long-term care coverage.
• Employee Discounts & Community Support – Access to exclusive employee discounts and participation in Quanta Cares, a disaster relief fund supporting employees and families during times of need.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.