Estimator – Substations

Location: Various (Otsego, MN - Montgomery, IL)
Employment Type: Full-Time

Estimating the Infrastructure That Powers the Grid

Strengthening our nation’s power grid isn’t easy—but reliable electrical service is essential to everyday life. Every time someone powers a home, business, or critical system, Michels Power, Inc. is behind the scenes making it happen.

Michels Power, Inc. is one of the largest and most respected power delivery contractors in the United States. We execute projects across substations, transmission, distribution modernization, renewable energy, and oil & gas infrastructure, as well as emergency power restoration.

Our Substation Group plays a critical role in building and maintaining the backbone of the electrical grid—from greenfield construction to complex brownfield upgrades.

Position Objective

The Estimator – Substations is responsible for evaluating bid specifications and drawings to ensure all requirements are fully understood and accounted for in order to successfully bid and win projects. This role works closely with subcontractors and Project Management teams to develop competitive bids, track budgets, and support successful project awards.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental policies and regulations
• Review bid requirements for projects ranging from approximately $500K to $10M, ensuring full scope coverage
• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for substation construction projects
• Partner with Procurement to secure vendor and supplier pricing
• Identify, manage, and maintain relationships with subcontractors, ensuring timely and complete bid coverage
• Aggressively follow up with subcontractors to ensure competitive bid participation
• Develop project schedules and cost forecasts
• Track and analyze budget-to-actual comparisons during the estimating process
• Collaborate with Project Management teams to follow up on bids, budgets, and award status
• Properly turn over bid documents and subcontractor buyout information to Project Managers
• Review drawings with Project Management teams and highlight risks, scope gaps, and constructability concerns
• Maintain accurate and organized estimate documentation and bid records
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 3–5 years of related experience in estimating, utility, or electrical construction
• Experience with negotiation and subcontractor coordination
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in substation, transmission, or utility construction
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and estimating software (e.g., Accubid, HCSS, or similar)
• Exposure to project management or field operations
• Experience working with utility clients or power delivery contractors

Core Developmental Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Action Oriented
• Personal Accountability
• Drives Results
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Values Differences
• Communicates Effectively
• Instills Trust
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Self-Development

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Combination of office-based work and field/site visits
• Frequent standing and walking, along with desk-based tasks
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Work may include exposure to outdoor weather conditions, active construction sites, and moderate noise levels
• Requires close vision, color vision, and focus adjustment
• Approximately 25% travel required for jobsite visits, pre-bid meetings, and preconstruction support

Why Michels Power, Inc.?

• Ranked No. 1 Electrical Transmission & Distribution Contractor by Engineering News-Record
• Industry leader in substation construction and grid modernization
• Family-owned company with long-term stability
• Invests approximately $5,000 per employee annually in training and development
• Work on high-impact infrastructure projects across the U.S.
• Strong safety culture—everyone is responsible
• Part of one of North America’s most diversified infrastructure contractors

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
• HSA / FSA Options
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k)
• Legal & Identity Protection Plans

Why You?

• You enjoy evaluating complex electrical scopes and building competitive bids
• You thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• You are detail-oriented and take pride in complete, accurate estimating work
• You collaborate effectively with project teams and subcontractors
• You want to contribute to infrastructure that powers communities and the grid