Industrial Construction Estimator & Project Manager Assistant Department: Estimating & Project Controls Reports To: Senior Industrial Project Manager Position Type: Full-Time Remote Contractor (40 hours/week) Location: Remote (Latin America / LATAM) Schedule: US Business Hours Alignment (EST / CST) Position Overview We are seeking a detail-oriented, highly analytical Industrial Construction Estimator & Project Manager Assistant to join our team in a key support capacity. Working alongside our Industrial Project Manager, you will take ownership of plan reviews, material take-offs, coverage calculations, and bid assembly for specialized industrial painting and protective coating projects. You will review project blueprints, analyze architectural and engineering specifications, verify coating coverage rates, and ensure our proposals and vendor quotes line up seamlessly with job requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a background in mechanical engineering, construction management, or industrial trade estimating with direct hands-on experience in industrial painting, commercial coatings, or specialized protective systems.

Key Responsibilities

Material Take-Offs & Technical Estimating (~45%) Blueprint & Specification Analysis: Review structural drawings, mechanical plans, elevation details, and technical spec sheets to identify coating requirements, surface prep specifications (SSPC/NACE standards), and material grades. Product Data Sheet (PDS) Review: Demonstrate strong coating product knowledge and aptitude to read, interpret, and evaluate Product Data Sheets (PDS) and Technical Data Sheets (TDS) to ensure correct material selection and application specs. Quantity Take-Offs: Perform accurate material take-offs to calculate square footage, surface areas, linear footages, and complex geometric surface structures. Coating Coverage Calculations: Calculate wet film thickness (WFT), dry film thickness (DFT), theoretical vs. practical spreading rates, and percentage loss factors to accurately determine total paint and coating volumes required. Proposal & Bid Review: Assist in building, reviewing, and auditing incoming sub-contractor bids, vendor material quotes, and formal client proposals prior to submission. Project Management Support (~35%) PM Support Execution: Partner directly with the Senior Industrial Project Manager to track project submittals, requests for information (RFIs), change orders, and schedule milestones. Project Field Book Development: Create and assemble comprehensive project field books, submittal binders, and job packs for field execution. Field Crew Technical Support: Interface directly with field crews to answer project-related questions, clarify technical specifications, and resolve site inquiry items. Vendor & Subcontractor Coordination: Request quotes from paint suppliers and equipment rental companies, verifying that quoted materials strictly match job specification requirements and Product Data Sheets. Document Control: Maintain clean, organized project folders, bid logs, spec sheets, PDS, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) across all active and upcoming industrial jobs. Bid Administration & Quality Control (~20%) RFI Drafting: Identify ambiguities or missing details in project plans and draft clear Requests for Information (RFIs) for engineers or general contractors. Scope Matrix Creation: Build comprehensive bid summaries comparing estimated costs against actual material quotes to protect project gross margins. Required Qualifications & Requirements Industry Experience: 2-4+ years of experience in construction estimating, quantity surveying, or project administration specifically within industrial painting, protective coatings, commercial painting, or specialized trade contracting. Technical Reading & PDS Aptitude: Demonstrated ability to read and interpret US construction blueprints, structural drawings, technical division specifications (Division 9 / Coatings), and Product Data Sheets (PDS). Coating Knowledge: Strong understanding of paint/coating formulas, product data specifications, coverage rates, film thickness (DFT/WFT), loss/waste factors, and surface preparation methods. Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with digital estimating and plan takeoff software (e.g., Planswift, Bluebeam Revu, On-Center Takeoff, or OST) and MS Excel (advanced formulas and measurement sheets). Language & Communication: Fluent, professional written and spoken English with the confidence to communicate technical details with US-based project managers, field crews, vendors, and contractors. Schedule Alignment: Ability to work full-time hours aligned with US Eastern or Central Standard Time business hours. Preferred (Big Pluses) Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or Quantity Surveying. Familiarity with industrial surface preparation and coating inspection standards (AMPP / NACE / SSPC). Hardware & Remote Workspace Requirements High-performance laptop or desktop computer with dual-monitor capabilities (essential for plan reviewing). High-speed, stable internet connection with backup power solutions (UPS/generator) where applicable. Quiet remote work environment and USB noise-canceling headset.