← Back to jobs

Modular Estimator

interstates

Omaha, NE
Uncategorized

Job Score

70 pts
On-site model (+70)

Take Charge of Your Career at Interstates

At Interstates, we don’t just show up to work, we show up for each other. From our headquarters in Iowa to job sites across the country, we’re doing award-winning electrical, controls, automation, and OT work that powers industrial facilities for clients here in the U.S. and around the world. Whether you’re bending conduit, wiring panels, writing code, supporting projects, or helping things run behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a crew that works hard, shares laughs, and takes pride in doing quality work. We believe in building strong teams, doing the right thing, and making a difference in the communities where we live. If you want to grow and do meaningful work, you’ll feel at home here. 


Are you an electrician or estimator ready to apply your field experience in an office-based role? As a Modular Estimator at Interstates, you’ll develop timely, accurate estimates for modular electrical construction projects while supporting clients across a variety of industrial markets.

You’ll collaborate with estimators, project managers, project engineers, clients, and design professionals to deliver competitive, well-defined proposals. This role is an opportunity to expand your estimating expertise while helping Interstates pursue better ways to serve our clients and communities.

Our Culture

At Interstates, we treat each other like family. Our team is built on Dependability, Integrity, Trust, Quality, and Family.

  • Work with caring teammates who support one another.
  • Be recognized as an individual—not just a number.
  • Balance work and personal commitments through flexible scheduling.
  • Build connections through team gatherings and social activities.
  • Give back through company-sponsored community and charitable events.

Our Why

At Interstates, we believe in:

  • Providing opportunities for our people
  • Making a difference with our clients and communities
  • Pursuing a better way

Watch a Day in the Life of an Estimator

https://youtu.be/vavZuE2FLsI?si=DitBTJm33IiMT1Gv

Responsibilities

The Estimating Department produces project-specific construction estimates based on client requirements, drawings, specifications, and other project information. As a Modular Estimator, you will:

  • Develop accurate, timely estimates for modular electrical construction projects, supporting competitive bids and client proposals.
  • Analyze and interpret drawings, specifications, and scope requirements.
  • Prepare budget pricing from schematic drawings, narratives, and preliminary project information.
  • Identify and price value-engineered alternatives to plans and specifications.
  • Draft scope letters, proposals, bid packages, and vendor solicitations.
  • Attend job walks, pre-bid meetings, and project discussions with clients and design professionals as needed.
  • Collaborate with estimators, project managers, and project engineers on change orders and cost-to-complete estimates for active projects.
  • Help develop and communicate company estimating standards for design-build and plans-and-specifications work.
  • Manage competing deadlines in an efficient, composed, and detail-oriented manner.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
  • Knowledge of electrical code requirements and basic electrical calculations, including voltage drop, Ohm’s law, conduit fill, wire ampacity, and derating, is preferred.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, specifications, and construction documents.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts accurately.
  • Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to prioritize work effectively.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills.
  • Self-motivated team player who works effectively with supervisors, peers, and cross-functional teams.
  • Two or more years of electrical construction or electrical estimating experience preferred.

Education

A high school diploma or GED is required. Additional education or equivalent experience in estimating, construction management, finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred.

Location and Travel

  • Location: Sioux Center, IA, Omaha, NE or Topeka, KS.
  • Travel: Occasional travel to job sites near Sioux Center, IA, Omaha, NE, or Topeka, KS, based on business needs; approximately 10% travel.

Benefits of Working at Interstates

  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability and group life insurance
  • Paid time off, holiday pay, and flexible scheduling
  • End-of-fiscal-year incentives and merit increases
  • Company discount program with national brands
  • Company-sponsored holiday events, team celebrations, and community volunteer opportunities
  • Career advancement opportunities aligned with your long-term goals
  • Career coaching and continued education opportunities for licensed electricians
  • A family- and safety-focused culture that cares about you as a whole person

Build a career that’s built to last. Apply today and see how Interstates can help you grow.

 

Interstates. Let's Build Logo

What You Should Know Before You Apply

Interstates may collect personal information as part of your job application, such as your contact details, work history, education, and any information you provide. This information is used only for recruitment, to evaluate your candidacy, and to meet legal requirements. For details about our privacy practices and your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please see our Privacy Policy. By applying, you acknowledge that you have reviewed this notice.

Interstates is an EEO provider and offers a drug-free workplace.  Employment at Interstates is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without notice or cause, except as otherwise provided by law.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Web Master

The Web Master is the professional responsible for maintaining, securing, and ensuring the technical performance of websites and web applications. They manage servers, hosting infrastructure, uptime monitoring, and ensure everything runs fast and reliably.

Key skills include server management (Apache, Nginx), hosting (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), CDN (Cloudflare), SSL, DNS, web security (WAF, firewall), performance (Core Web Vitals, cache, compression), and versioning (Git, CI/CD). Knowledge of Docker, WordPress, cPanel, and monitoring (Sentry, New Relic) is a differentiator.

Web Masters in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master DevOps, SRE, and can guarantee uptime and performance at scale. The field offers opportunities from junior webmaster to SRE and infrastructure engineer, with a focus on reliability, security, and speed.

About Business Analysis

The Business Analyst (BA) is the professional responsible for identifying problems, opportunities, and solutions in organizational processes, acting as a bridge between business areas and the technology development team. They gather and specify requirements, map value streams, design future processes, and help ensure that software deliveries align with the company's strategic goals.

About Project Manager

The Project Manager is the professional responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects end-to-end, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and with the expected quality. With the growing complexity of businesses, project management professionals are fundamental to organizational success.

Key skills include planning and scheduling, scope, cost, risk, quality, and resource management, stakeholder communication, cross-functional team leadership, and use of agile and traditional methodologies. Certifications like PMP, PRINCE2, and Six Sigma are important differentiators.

Project Managers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), tools like Jira and MS Project, and can deliver complex projects efficiently. The field offers opportunities from project analyst to head of PMO, with a focus on execution, governance, and business value.

About Design

The Design field, especially UX/UI and Product Design, has experienced significant growth in recent years. With accelerated business digitization, the demand for professionals who can create intuitive and pleasant digital experiences has never been higher.

Key skills include Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, user research, design thinking, prototyping, and system design. Product designers are increasingly valued for their direct impact on business results.

Remote work has opened doors for Brazilian designers to work for global companies, with competitive salaries in dollars and euros.

About People Analyst

The People Analyst is the professional responsible for transforming people data into strategic insights for HR decision-making. They combine data analysis knowledge with people management vision to help organizations understand workforce metrics, turnover, engagement, and diversity.

Key skills include people analytics, workforce analytics, turnover and retention analysis, HR metrics (time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, e-NPS), data visualization (Power BI, Tableau, Visier), workforce planning, and compensation analysis. Knowledge of statistics, SQL, and people analytics tools is a differentiator.

People Analysts in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who can translate complex people data into actionable insights for retention, diversity, and growth strategies. The field offers opportunities from HR analyst to head of people analytics, with a focus on data-driven people management.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

Read full guide →

Design Career Guide

UX/UI, Graphic Design, Product Design. Portfolio, tools, interviews, and growth in the Design field.

Read full guide →

Marketing Career Guide

SEO, Paid Media, Growth, Content Marketing. Certifications, tools, and strategies to grow in Digital Marketing.

Read full guide →

Finance Career Guide

Financial market, investments, corporate finance, certifications, and strategies to grow in the financial field.

Read full guide →

Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

Read full guide →

Administration Career Guide

Business Management, HR, Logistics, Consulting, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Read full guide →

Data Career Guide

Data Science, Data Engineering, BI, Machine Learning, and AI. From training to the job market.

Read full guide →

Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

Read full guide →

Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

How n8n and Automation Open Doors to Premium Jobs

The Paradigm Shift in Web Development

The web development market has matured. A few years ago, mastering a traditional stack (like MERN or LAMP) was enough to secure a highly sought-after role. Today, the corporate landscape — especially in US startups hiring globally and offering six-figure compensation — demands speed and operational efficiency. It's no longer just about building from scratch, but knowing how to integrate complex ecosystems rapidly.

According to Gartner, hyperautomation is one of the top strategic technology trends of the decade. The modern developer must be an integration architect, capable of connecting CRMs, databases, AI APIs, and payment gateways in a matter of hours, not weeks. This is exactly where n8n becomes an indispensable tool in your portfolio.

Why n8n? The Power of "Fair-Code"

n8n is a node-based workflow automation tool. Unlike competitors aimed at non-technical users (such as Zapier or Make), n8n was designed with the developer in mind first. It allows raw JavaScript injection for complex data manipulation, custom HTTP requests, and, most importantly, features a fair-code licensing model that allows it to be self-hosted on a company's own infrastructure.

For technical recruiters and CTOs, a candidate who masters n8n demonstrates maturity. It proves that you understand SaaS cost reduction and value the security and sovereignty of the company's data.

Practical Tips to Land Your Next Role

If you want your resume to pass rigorous ATS (Applicant Tracking System) screening — like Greenhouse or Ashby — and reach the hands of Tech Leads, here are the core skills you should highlight when associating Web Development with n8n:

  • Mastery of Webhooks and RESTful APIs: The foundation of automation is system communication. Demonstrate your ability to create n8n workflows that listen to native Webhooks from your application (e.g., a checkout event in a Next.js e-commerce app) and trigger subsequent actions with low latency.
  • Hosting and Docker: n8n's biggest differentiator is self-hosting. In your resume, mention your ability to package and orchestrate n8n instances using Docker and Docker Compose. Familiarity with Cloud providers (AWS, GCP, or DigitalOcean) to deploy these instances is a massive bonus.
  • Advanced JSON and JavaScript Manipulation: Show that you don't rely solely on pre-built integrations. Using the "Code" node in n8n to transform large JSON payloads using raw JavaScript or TypeScript is what separates a regular user from an automation engineer.
  • Error Handling and Resilience: Systems fail. APIs go down. An amateur automation will break a company's process. In your portfolio, document how you use Error Trigger nodes to build automated retries and send alerts to Slack/Discord when an integration fails.

Your Portfolio is the Ultimate Proof

Just listing "n8n" in the skills section of your resume isn't enough. Create a repository on GitHub containing a real-world use case. For example: export the JSON file of an n8n workflow that reads new leads from a PostgreSQL database, enriches the data using the OpenAI API, and sends them to a CRM. Add a detailed README.md explaining the architecture. This is the ultimate bait for Senior roles.

References and Further Reading