Job Description

Overview

Machinery Services Co., a subsidiary of The Rapid Group, is seeking an experienced Mechanical Estimator / Project Manager to join their team in Paterson, NJ. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical systems, estimating, project management, and field execution.

Responsibilities

  • Review plans, specifications, bid documents, drawings, and project requirements.
  • Perform detailed estimates for mechanical and piping projects.
  • Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and overall project costs.
  • Perform site visits and field investigations to identify existing conditions and potential project risks.
  • Develop competitive and accurate proposals and scope of work narratives.
  • Interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, isometrics, specifications, and related construction documents.
  • Estimate and manage projects involving various piping systems, pump systems, and HVAC/mechanical systems.
  • Develop project schedules, manpower requirements, and procurement plans.
  • Coordinate field personnel, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
  • Manage project budgets, change orders, RFIs, submittals, and customer communications.
  • Track project costs and production against budget.
  • Work closely with field supervisors and foremen to ensure projects are executed according to the estimate and schedule.
  • Identify potential change order opportunities and ensure additional work is properly documented and priced.
  • Participate in customer meetings and project coordination meetings.
  • Assist with contract review and identification of commercial and technical risks.
  • Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to customer specifications.
  • Support project closeout, punch lists, documentation, and final billing.

Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical construction, piping, welding, estimating, project management, or a related field.
  • Strong working knowledge of pipe fitting and welding practices.
  • Experience estimating mechanical construction projects from drawings, specifications, and field conditions.
  • Experience with both industrial and infrastructure/municipal projects strongly preferred.
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, isometric drawings, specifications, and construction plans.
  • Understanding of labor productivity, material pricing, equipment requirements, and construction means and methods.
  • Strong understanding of piping materials, fittings, valves, pumps, supports, welding processes, and installation methods.
  • Ability to develop accurate labor hour estimates and project budgets.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with operations, field personnel, customers, vendors, and subcontractors.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and construction/project management software.
  • Must have valid Driver’s License.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Location: Paterson, NJ (Onsite)
  • Hours: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Hourly Rate: $58.00
  • Fast-paced, team-oriented, customer-focused industrial environment.
  • Successful completion of applicable background checks and drug testing where permitted by law.

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO

How this job compares in Paterson, NJ

Pay in context

At roughly $58/hr, this posting sits about 71% above the $34/hr median for welding jobs across New Jersey — toward the top of a $29–$40/hr middle band drawn from 106 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 96% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Paterson, NJ

Paterson, NJ is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across New Jersey as a whole we're tracking 166 other active welding openings from 123 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across New Jersey.

The Rapid Group currently has 1 other opening live in New Jersey, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in New Jersey at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Darling Ingredients (5), Carvana (4), and Lockheed Martin (4). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within New Jersey, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Newark at $35/hr and Lyndhurst at $30/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Paterson, NJ

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Mechanical Estimator/ Project Manager figures were last recalculated when this page was built.