Senior Preconstruction and Estimating Manager

Chinook Systems Inc.

. Lead estimating, pricing, and preconstruction strategy for complex, high-value pursuits .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeArlington • Virginia • United StatesSenior💰 $140,000 - $190,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in estimating, pricing, and preconstruction strategy for high-value projects, with a strong understanding of facility systems and construction economics. Proven ability to lead teams, develop competitive pricing strategies, and manage complex proposals while ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Estimating And Pricing StrategyFAR/DFARS KnowledgeFacility Systems ExpertiseTeam Leadership And MentoringProposal Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

EstimatingPricing StrategyConstruction EconomicsBasis-Of-Estimate DevelopmentAnalytical SkillsTechnical Specification InterpretationCost ModelingRisk AssessmentProposal Content DevelopmentEstimate-To-Actual Performance Analysis

Soft Skills

Business JudgmentAdaptabilityCommunication SkillsLeadership

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft Office SuiteRSMeansCRM Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

CPECCPPMPSecret Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

Design-BuildO&MControlsEnergyCommissioningMEPConstruction ManagementFederal AcquisitionProposal AssumptionsCommercial Strategy

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead estimating, pricing, and preconstruction strategy for complex, high-value pursuits
Partner with technical teams, operations, and executive leadership to develop competitive, profitable solutions
Evaluate, qualify, and prioritize opportunities based on strategic fit, revenue potential, competition, risk, and profitability
Provide pricing and technical-commercial insight during capture planning
Develop price-to-win recommendations, competitive positioning, and pricing approaches
Attend client meetings, industry days, site visits, pre-proposal conferences, negotiations, and customer-facing activities
Maintain a centralized CRM or approved business development log tracking opportunities, status, milestones, value, customer activity, risks, and ownership
Lead estimating and pricing for Design-Build, O&M, Controls, Energy, Commissioning, and facility support pursuits
Establish pricing methodologies, labor models, productivity assumptions, escalation, contingencies, risk allowances, indirect costs, subcontractor strategies, and target margins
Develop and oversee detailed estimates aligned with technical scope, execution strategy, contractual requirements, and pricing
Analyze historical costs, market conditions, labor and material trends, subcontractor capacity, and competitive intelligence
Develop subcontractor RFPs and review proposals for scope, schedule, pricing assumptions, alternatives, cost, and execution risk
Present estimates, pricing recommendations, risks, alternatives, and financial implications to leadership
Participate in bid/no-bid and final pricing decisions
Advise leadership on revenue, costs, gross margin, contractual exposure, execution risk, and pursuit decisions
Support contract negotiations, scope clarification, commercial strategy, and change-order strategy
Lead post-award estimate reviews and incorporate estimate-to-actual performance and lessons learned
Develop basis-of-estimate narratives, scope narratives, assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, staffing rationales, and pricing-related proposal content
Integrate estimates, technical solutions, staffing plans, schedules, and proposal narratives
Lead estimating-to-operations turnover for awarded work
Establish and improve estimating standards, processes, templates, cost models, historical databases, quality controls, and governance practices
Review strategic estimates for accuracy, completeness, consistency, commercial reasonableness, and standards alignment
Lead, mentor, and develop estimating and preconstruction personnel
Establish and monitor estimating performance measures, including estimate accuracy, estimate-to-actual variance, awarded revenue, margin performance, and pursuit results
Chinook Systems delivers lifecycle energy security solutions, including engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations of intelligent, cyber-secure, code-compliant, energy-efficient building systems

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline
At least 10 years of progressive experience in estimating, preconstruction, pricing, construction, facilities, capture, or related disciplines
At least 5 years of experience managing, mentoring, or developing professional staff
Experience leading estimates and pricing strategy for complex, high-value pursuits, including opportunities valued at $25M or greater within MEP, Commissioning, Controls or similar facility systems projects
Experience influencing pursuit strategy, pricing decisions, and executive-level bid decisions
Strong working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal acquisition and contracting requirements, where applicable
Strong functional, technical, and operational understanding of facility systems including HVAC, lighting, building automation and controls, power distribution, generation, power monitoring and controls, UPS, emergency power, and related infrastructure
Strong understanding of construction economics, gross margin, pricing risk, contingencies, escalation, commercial risk, and estimate-to-actual performance
Experience developing basis-of-estimate narratives, proposal assumptions, clarifications, exclusions, staffing rationales, and other pricing-related proposal content
Ability to interpret technical specifications, drawings, statements of work, performance work statements, contract requirements, and other complex solicitation documents
Strong analytical skills and business judgment
Experience developing or managing estimating databases, cost models, historical pricing systems, or enterprise estimating standards utilizing applications such as RSMeans
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, MS Project, and PowerPoint
Must be willing to adapt to changing project requirements and travel schedules
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance based on customer and project requirements
Valid state-issued driver's license and ability to travel to various work sites, client locations, and business engagements
Must be able to walk construction sites with uneven surfaces, carry up to 25 lbs., climb stairs and ladders, and work indoors and outdoors in severe weather, confined spaces, and dust-generating environments
Must maintain spatial awareness and comply with safety standards near mechanical and electrical building equipment and systems
Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where required
Preferred: Active Secret or higher Security Clearance
Preferred: Professional certification such as CPE, CCP, PMP, or equivalent
Preferred: Experience with opportunities valued at $50M, $100M, or greater
Preferred: Experience developing estimates for medical, educational, or other commercial clients

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work schedule with regular in-office attendance, work from home, and travel
Opportunity to advance in a fast-growing, innovative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative work environment
Veteran employment opportunities
Equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination commitment