Job Description

Junior Architectural Estimator — Architectural Metal Products

(Also listed as: Junior Estimator, Architectural Estimating Coordinator, Junior Metal Products Estimator)

Build the numbers behind the buildings you walk past every day — estimate architectural metal products for commercial projects across the country, based in Chicago or Birmingham.

WHY THIS ROLE IS WORTH A LOOK:

• You'll learn to read a building before it's built, translating drawings into accurate, professional proposals.
• You'll get hands-on exposure to Bluebeam Revu, CAD, and real material and fabrication pricing from day one.
• You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with sales, engineering, manufacturing, and outside vendors — not in a silo.

If you like the idea of being the person who turns a stack of architectural drawings into a proposal that wins the job, this is worth a conversation. This position sits inside a well-established Architectural department, estimating fabricated sheet metal, expanded metal, perforated metal, and related architectural products for commercial construction projects.

You'll be trained to evaluate scope, spot constructability issues before they become problems, and build takeoffs that hold up under scrutiny. It's early-career enough to grow into, and technical enough that you'll actually build a specialized skill set — not just push paperwork.

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY IS DIFFERENT:

This isn't an isolated estimating desk job — you'll coordinate directly with sales, engineering, project management, manufacturing, and outside vendors on every proposal, giving you visibility into the full lifecycle of a project. There's a clear technical growth path here: as you build fluency in architectural metal products, fabrication processes, and finishes, you take on more complex and higher-stakes estimates. The team values accuracy and follow-through over tenure, so there's real autonomy for someone who shows initiative early.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Review architectural drawings, specifications, addenda, and construction details
• Complete accurate quantity takeoffs using Bluebeam Revu
• Prepare clear, professional project proposals
• Identify project scope, materials, finishes, dimensions, and installation requirements
• Communicate with vendors and subcontractors to obtain pricing on materials, fabrication, finishing, and freight
• Evaluate construction details for completeness, constructability, and scope gaps
• Coordinate across sales, engineering, project management, and manufacturing
• Support value-engineering discussions and alternative product recommendations

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• One to five years of experience in estimating, drafting, construction, architectural products, sheet metal fabrication, or a related field
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings, specifications, and construction details
• Hands-on experience completing digital takeoffs in Bluebeam Revu
• Strong mathematical, organizational, and analytical skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook
• High attention to detail and strong written and verbal communication skills
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate degree or technical diploma in a related field is a plus

COMPENSATION & WORK MODEL:

Compensation is competitive and will be discussed during the screening process. This role is based onsite in Chicago, IL or Birmingham, AL, with remote flexibility available.

LOCATION & TRAVEL:

Based in Chicago, IL or Birmingham, AL. Occasional travel is required for meetings, training, project reviews, and site visits, including periodic visits to manufacturing facilities, jobsites, and vendor locations.

TO APPLY OR LEARN MORE:

Hayley.Bester@tappwfs.com

ABOUT TAPP WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS:

TAPP Workforce Solutions is a specialized recruitment and workforce solutions firm supporting organizations across skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing, and professional services. We act as an extension of our clients' teams, delivering thoughtful, relationship-driven hiring solutions focused on long-term fit, performance, and retention.