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Senior Manager - Estimating - Michels Power, Inc.

Neenah, WI  

Senior Manager - Estimating

Substations | Medium-Voltage Electrical | Power Infrastructure

Location: Flexible Within Michels Power Operating Regions
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Approximately 25% Travel Required

Build the Infrastructure That Powers Communities and Industry

As utilities, renewable developers, industrial customers, data center operators, and power providers continue investing in electrical infrastructure, successful projects begin long before construction starts. Accurate estimating, strategic planning, procurement coordination, and execution-focused preconstruction leadership are critical to winning work and delivering projects successfully.

Michels Power is seeking a Senior Manager - Estimating to lead regional estimating efforts supporting utility substations, medium-voltage electrical systems, renewable energy infrastructure, battery energy storage systems (BESS), power generation facilities, and other critical power delivery projects.

This role provides leadership to a team of estimators while working closely with Regional Managers, Project Managers, Procurement, Business Development, and Operations personnel to develop competitive project strategies and position Michels Power for continued growth.

About Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Power, Inc. supports America's electrical and communication backbone by delivering comprehensive overhead and underground construction services for 69 kV to 765 kV electric utility systems and fiber networks. As one of the largest private power utility electrical contractors in the United States, Michels Power combines experienced project leadership, highly skilled field resources, and one of the industry's premier equipment fleets to successfully execute complex power delivery projects across North America.

Our teams design, build, and maintain critical infrastructure including transmission lines, distribution systems, electrical substations, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), communication systems, structure foundations, heavy civil infrastructure, and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects. We provide comprehensive project oversight from planning and scheduling through procurement, construction, quality assurance, commissioning, and project closeout.

Leveraging engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) delivery capabilities, Michels Power is proud to be a member of the Michels Family of Companies.

Position Overview

As the Senior Manager - Estimating, you will lead a regional estimating team responsible for developing competitive cost estimates and pursuit strategies for substation construction, medium-voltage electrical infrastructure, renewable energy facilities, industrial electrical systems, power generation assets, and utility modernization projects.

You will oversee estimating personnel, assign opportunities, review estimates, support pricing strategy development, participate in customer discussions, and collaborate closely with Operations and Project Management teams to secure new work while positioning projects for successful execution.

Success requires strong leadership, estimating expertise, commercial awareness, customer relationship management, and a deep understanding of electrical infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and supervise regional estimating personnel and estimating operations.
  • Assign bid opportunities and workload across the estimating team.
  • Review project plans, specifications, customer requirements, and proposal documents to determine project scope and estimating strategy.
  • Maintain accountability for estimating quality, accuracy, responsiveness, and consistency.
  • Assist in the development, training, and mentoring of Estimators and Senior Estimators.
  • Promote a strong culture of safety, operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Support business growth objectives by helping secure profitable work.

What You'll Do

  • Lead estimating activities for utility substation, medium-voltage electrical, renewable energy, industrial electrical, and power delivery projects.
  • Assign bids and estimating resources based on pursuit priorities, workload, and complexity.
  • Review bid requirements to ensure complete scope coverage and estimate accuracy.
  • Prepare and review quantity takeoffs, labor projections, equipment requirements, indirect costs, subcontractor pricing, and material forecasts.
  • Partner with Procurement to obtain supplier pricing, market intelligence, and equipment quotations.
  • Evaluate subcontractor proposals and participate in negotiations supporting project pursuits.
  • Develop project schedules, execution assumptions, productivity forecasts, and estimating strategies.
  • Support Project Management and Operations teams during pursuit planning and project turnover activities.
  • Facilitate resolution of complex estimating, pricing, constructability, and scope challenges.
  • Participate in customer meetings, site visits, pre-bid meetings, and preconstruction reviews.
  • Develop and promote estimating standards, databases, workflows, and best practices across the region.
  • Collaborate with Regional Managers and estimating leadership to improve estimating consistency, risk evaluation, and project execution planning.
  • Review project risks, opportunities, constructability issues, and commercial considerations prior to bid submission.

Types of Projects Supported

This role may support estimating efforts involving:

  • Transmission Substations
  • Distribution Substations
  • Collector Substations
  • Renewable Energy Substations
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Medium-Voltage Electrical Systems
  • Utility Interconnections
  • Switchyards
  • Transformer Installations
  • Protection & Controls Upgrades
  • Power Generation Facilities
  • Industrial Electrical Infrastructure
  • Electrical Balance of Plant (eBOP)
  • Utility Modernization Programs
  • EPC Power Delivery Projects

Leadership Responsibilities

  • Directly supervise estimating personnel and support their professional growth.
  • Interview, hire, onboard, train, and develop future estimating talent.
  • Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
  • Establish expectations, accountability standards, and performance objectives.
  • Promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the estimating organization.
  • Support succession planning and long-term development initiatives.
  • Foster a culture aligned with Michels Family of Companies values and leadership principles.

Why Michels Power, Inc.?

  • We help build, strengthen, and modernize the infrastructure that powers communities and industries across North America.
  • We execute challenging projects involving substations, medium-voltage electrical systems, renewable energy, power generation, and power delivery infrastructure.
  • We are family owned and operated.
  • We invest an average of $5,000 per employee per year in training and career development.
  • We perform meaningful work that supports the future of energy infrastructure.
  • We believe everyone is responsible for promoting safety, regardless of job title.
  • We are part of the Michels Family of Companies, one of North America's largest and most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors.
  • We provide estimating leaders the opportunity to directly influence company growth, project pursuits, and strategic market expansion.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Legal Plan
  • Identity Theft Protection and Monitoring Plan

Benefits may vary based on position and location.

Why You?

  • You like to surround yourself with dedicated, value-driven people.
  • You relish new challenges and evolving technology.
  • You cringe when you hear: “Because that's the way we've always done it.”
  • You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated.
  • You want to make your own decisions, but know support is always available.
  • You enjoy solving complex technical, commercial, and operational challenges.
  • You thrive when balancing strategy, leadership, and execution.
  • You want to work to make a difference.

What It Takes

  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, or a related field and 8+ years of related estimating, construction, project management, or operational experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience estimating or executing substation construction, medium-voltage electrical systems, utility infrastructure, industrial electrical projects, renewable energy facilities, power generation projects, or EPC construction projects.
  • Experience leading or mentoring estimating teams and supporting large, complex project pursuits.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Electrical Substations
    • Medium-Voltage Systems
    • Power Distribution Systems
    • Transformers
    • Switchgear
    • Breakers
    • Protection & Controls Systems
    • Utility Electrical Infrastructure
    • Industrial Electrical Installations
  • Experience preparing estimates for labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, and self-perform construction activities.
  • Experience reviewing plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
  • Negotiation and contract review experience.
  • Ability to evaluate project risks, constructability concerns, procurement challenges, execution strategies, and commercial impacts.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with responsibility for workforce development, performance management, and workload planning.
  • Utility construction experience is preferred.
  • Project management experience is preferred.
  • Strong communication, presentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and estimating software platforms.
  • Ability to work effectively with Regional Managers, Project Managers, Procurement teams, customers, suppliers, and subcontractors.
  • Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
  • Ability to travel approximately 25% for customer visits, jobsite reviews, pre-bid meetings, and preconstruction activities.

Join a company that powers progress. Be a part of Michels Power, Inc.—where you don't just build projects, you build a career.

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