Bird Construction
Provider of construction and maintenance services across industrial, infrastructure and buildings sectors.
Estimate and manage costs for ICI construction projects, including subcontractor pricing.
1 days ago
Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Office Full-Time
Company Size
6,000 Employees
Service Specialisms
Building Information Modeling (BIM/VDC)
Civil Infrastructure Services
Fabrication
Future Energy
Industrial Maintenance
Mass Timber
Modular & Offsite Solutions
Pre-Construction / Early Contractor Involvement
Sector Specialisms
Commercial
Institutional
Retail
Multi-tenant Residential
Industrial
Mining
Water and Wastewater
Energy
Role
Description
cost estimating
takeoffs
tender submissions
budgeting
value engineering
database management
- Develop estimates according to company procedures, including takeoffs and pricing of in‑house and subcontractor work.
- Solicit pricing from subcontractors and suppliers, determine general expenses, and provide input on margins and fees.
- Review project documents, analyze subcontractor requirements, and identify risks and opportunities.
- Communicate with clients or consultants to clarify issues and develop preliminary construction schedules.
- Prepare issue summaries, lead detailed estimate reviews, and manage tender submissions.
- Assist with post‑tender submissions, negotiations, and deliver pre‑construction services such as budgets and value‑engineering opportunities.
- Identify leads and secure opportunities through networking with clients, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Maintain databases of labor rates, material prices, and project costs; create conceptual estimates using historical data.
Requirements
civil engineering
secret clearance
estimating software
6 years
problem solving
communication
The Senior Estimator reports to the Senior Director of Procurement and is based in Ottawa, with occasional travel to project sites. This role requires a Level II Secret security clearance and focuses on delivering accurate estimates and subcontractor costing from budgeting through contract letting and planning for major projects.
- Hold an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field; PQS or CET designation preferred.
- Possess an existing or eligible Secret‑level security clearance.
- Bring at least 6 years of hands‑on estimating experience on ICI projects, preferably federal.
- Proficient with estimating software (e.g., InEight, On‑Screen Takeoff) and Microsoft Office applications.
- Demonstrate strong analytical, mathematical, and problem‑solving skills with high accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, and technical documents.
- Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities; bilingualism is a plus.
- Capable of managing multiple priorities, meeting tight deadlines, and working collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.
Benefits
Bird has been a leader in Canadian construction for over a century, shaping critical infrastructure and skylines across the country. The company values a culture built on diversity, collaboration, and a relentless drive to reimagine what is possible, offering each employee the chance to write their own career story.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
- requires level ii – secret security clearance.
Company
Overview
Since 1920
Founding Year
Established its presence in Canada as a coast-to-coast builder.
+70 Years
Publicly Traded
Maintained a strong financial presence on public markets.
2021
Acquisition
Expanded capabilities through the acquisition of Dagmar.
2024
Acquisition
Further diversified operations by acquiring Jacob Bros.
- Delivers billions in annual revenue and maintains a strong project backlog.
- Typical projects include industrial facilities, civil infrastructure, institutional buildings, modular fabrication and maintenance services.
- Its strengths lie in self-performed trades—from earthworks and concrete to mechanical, electrical and modular fabrication.
- Leverages technology such as BIM/VDC and modular solutions to enhance efficiency and certainty in delivery.
- Projects range from deep-mining support and hydroelectric work to transit stations, healthcare facilities and mass timber buildings.
- With a finance division (Bird Capital), it can participate in project equity, blending construction with strategic investment.
Culture + Values
- We bring life to vision
- Creating great things with you
- We put safety first
- A healthy and safe work environment is non‑negotiable. We build a culture of operational and psychological safety through engagement, learning and leadership.
- We are stronger together
- Success is a team effort. Our inclusive workplace enables our combined expertise, humility and creativity to unlock our greater potential.
- We lead with honesty
- We speak and act with integrity, clarity and care so people can trust our word and our work. Being honest means we can deliver the best outcomes and consistent results.
- We are driven to do great work
- We built our name on quality. We have a passion for excellence in our work and relationships that honours our businesses and our industry.
- We create opportunity
- Rooted in a solid foundation, we adapt and grow to face the future. We are committed to elevating each other to chart the best path forward in an evolving world.
Environment + Sustainability
First Zero Carbon Retrofit
North America's First
Completed the first Zero Carbon Certification for a building retrofit (Humber College Building NX), setting a benchmark for sustainable building projects.
First Net-Zero Plant
Protein Processing Facility
Design-build of North America’s first net-zero plant protein processing facility, scheduled to be operational in 2024.
First Net-Zero Ethylene Site
World's First
Secured contract to build the world’s first net-zero integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives site under Dow’s Path2Zero Program.
- Committed to transitioning to a net zero carbon economy via high energy-efficient, zero carbon buildings using onsite or procured carbon-free renewable energy.
- Delivering deep energy retrofits to reduce GHG emissions and energy use in existing buildings through mechanical, electrical, and energy modeling solutions.
- Mass timber leader in North America: leveraging sustainable forestry and wood-based materials to capture carbon and offset CO2e over lifecycle.
- Founding member of Canada Green Building Council with ~200 LEED-certified or targeting projects.
- Partnered on complex building systems meeting LEED, Green Globes, Passive House, WELL, and Zero Carbon standards.
- Operational emissions reduction through 'Work Green': implementing sustainable, energy-efficient, low-carbon operational technologies and processes.
- 'Build Green': minimizing resource waste, reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency across material, equipment, system selection.
Inclusion & Diversity
$3,000
Indigenous Scholarship
An annual scholarship provided to support Indigenous students pursuing their educational goals.
3×$1,500
Indigenous Student Support
Three annual scholarships of $1,500 each provided to Indigenous students.
- National Indigenous Engagement Policy: proactive employment of Indigenous workforce representative of project communities.
- Policy pillars: respectful relationships; proactive Indigenous employment; increasing business opportunities for Indigenous partners; investment in cultural awareness, skills and business capacity programs.
- Mandatory Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training for all employees.
- Silver Certification in PAIR (Progressive Aboriginal Relations) program.
- Scholarship programs: Scott Ferguson Memorial Scholarship; Bird Heavy Civil Indigenous Scholarship; Bird/Paul & Gerri Charette Fund; UNB scholarship prioritizing Indigenous female engineering students.