Chief engineer Jobs in Richmond, BC

Matchbox Consulting Group is partnering with one of North America's most respected electrical, mechanical, and utility services contractors looking for a Chief Electrical Estimator to lead their Vancouver estimating operation.

Our client is a large, national multi-trade contractor with decades of presence across Canada and the United States, delivering complex commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects. This is a company with the scale, structure, and project diversity that most electrical contractors simply cannot offer.

This role is designed for a Senior Electrical Estimator who is good at what they do and knows it, but has hit a ceiling. The Chief Estimator seat here is not just a title change. It comes with real departmental leadership, direct involvement in tender strategy at a national level, and a visible path into broader operational and divisional leadership within a company that actively promotes from within. If you have spent years producing strong numbers for someone else and want to actually run something, this is the move.

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WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT

• Step out of a senior individual contributor role and into genuine departmental leadership with a team to direct and develop.
• Work within a large national organization that has the structure, reputation, and project pipeline to support long-term career advancement well beyond this seat.
• Influence how the estimating function operates, not just execute within it.
• Exposure to complex, high-value commercial and industrial projects across the Greater Vancouver market and beyond.
• A company with national reach and a track record of growing people into senior operational and divisional roles.

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WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the electrical estimating department.
• Direct and mentor estimating staff, building a high-performing team around you.
• Prepare detailed estimates of materials, labour, and equipment costs based on contract bids, drawings, and specifications.
• Advise on tendering procedures, analyze tenders, recommend awards, and participate in contract negotiations.
• Establish and maintain the tendering process, cost monitoring systems, and reporting procedures.
• Coordinate pricing packages with suppliers, subcontractors, owners, designers, and architects.
• Participate in site reviews, tender reviews, hand-offs, project closings, and operational meetings with project managers and division leadership.
• Liaise with engineers, architects, owners, and contractors and prepare economic feasibility studies on cost estimate changes.
• Manage material and equipment purchasing for secured projects.
• Maintain an active industry presence to support continuity of work and client relationships.
• Stay current on new technology and construction methods to ensure estimates reflect up-to-date approaches.

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WHO YOU ARE

• 10 or more years of electrical estimating experience, with time in a Senior Electrical Estimator or Chief Estimator capacity.
• Strong background in commercial construction estimating; industrial experience is a plus.
• Proficient with industry estimating software such as Accubid or Trimble.
• Experience with design-build projects and project management exposure are both strong assets.
• Degree or Diploma in Construction Engineering Technology or Construction Management is an asset; a background as a qualified tradesperson in commercial construction is equally considered.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong communicator who can manage relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Holds a valid Class 5 BC Driver's License with a clean abstract.
• Someone who is ready to lead, not just estimate, and is looking for a platform to grow within a national organization.

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WHAT IS ON OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive, disclosed upon application
• A senior leadership role with a genuine path into broader operational and divisional leadership
• The backing and resources of one of North America's most established multi-trade contractors
• A diverse, high-value project portfolio across the Greater Vancouver market
• A company that takes internal development seriously and has the size to back it up

For more current job opportunities, Follow MatchBox at linkedin.com/company/matchbox-recruitment/

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About MatchBox

Headquartered in downtown Vancouver and serving clients nationally, MatchBox is one of the leading recruitment and solutions firms that specializes in the fields of IT & Technology, Engineering & Technical, Real Estate & Construction, and Accounting & Finance. We offer unrivaled expertise with our team's extensive experience in the recruitment and professional services industry. We are dedicated to building great connections and creating strong opportunities within the workforce and the labor market.

Equal Opportunities

MatchBox is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including members of minority groups such as racialized individuals, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous peoples. It is a priority for us that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination. Our recruitment teams receive ongoing training on using objective criteria for evaluating candidates and other related topics to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Work Permits

Please note that we require all interested candidates to obtain the necessary work permits from the Government of Canada prior to submitting an application. This position is open exclusively to individuals residing in Canada and legally authorized to work in Canada. Applications not meeting these criteria will not be considered.

Further Consideration

We receive a high volume of applications and are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration.

Find out more at www.matchboxhr.com