Job Description: About the Role:
The Assistant Project Manager / Estimator owns scope clarity from early client discovery through build contract handoff and into the start of construction.

You sit at the center of design, estimating, trade partners, and field execution, keeping the scope of work accurate, buildable, and aligned as projects move from ideas to drawings, pricing, proposals, client decisions, and jobsite mobilization.

This is an on-the-ground preconstruction role: you will regularly walk sites, lead trade walks, review existing conditions, and translate design intent into clear scope language that supports accurate pricing and smooth construction.

You will partner closely with a remote Off-Site Project Manager as the field-facing, trade-facing counterpart in San Francisco.

Key Responsibilities
Scope Ownership & Documentation

Own the "living" scope of work from Discovery through Build Contract preparation and handoff
Keep scope aligned with drawings, selections, site conditions, trade feedback, exclusions, allowances, and pricing assumptions
Identify missing, vague, or conflicting scope items and drive resolution
Track scope changes and ensure updates are reflected in estimates, trade communications, and client-facing materials

Site Veridication & Field Input

Attend site walks, field verification visits, and trade walks
Compare existing conditions against drawings and estimating assumptions
Document conditions via notes, photos, measurements, and marked-up plans
Flag constructability issues, sequencing constraints, access challenges, and areas requiring exploratory work

Trade Coordination & Proposal Review

Coordinate and lead trade walks; ensure each trade understands exactly what they are pricing
Review proposals for completeness, overlaps, gaps, exclusions, and allowances
Follow up with trade partners to clarify scope, quantities, materials, and assumptions
Support bid leveling so proposals are comparable, complete, and tied to the current scope

Estimating & Preconstruction Support

Support the Off-Site Project Manager with field-verified scope, takeoffs, and proposal review
Link estimate assumptions back to drawings, selections, site conditions, and client decisions
Assist with value engineering while preserving core design intent

Internal & Client Communication

Act as a bridge between design, estimating, field, trades, and leadership
Participate in internal alignment, budget, and handoff meetings
Join client meetings when scope, site conditions, or pricing assumptions need explanation
Communicate clearly, calmly, and directly with clients and partners

Decision Rights & Success Criteria
You have the authority to:

Flag when a project is not ready to price or present due to unclear scope or assumptions
Challenge design documentation and trade proposals that do not support accurate pricing or construction
Escalate unresolved scope, pricing, or constructability risks

Success looks like:

Scope remains current and accurate as projects evolve
Trades price the right work with fewer gaps and surprises
Risks are surfaced early and addressed before construction
Build contracts and field handoffs are clear, aligned, and executable

Qualifications

5-8+ years in high-end residential construction, preconstruction, estimating, APM/PM, or field coordination
Strong ability to read architectural drawings, specs, and trade proposals
Hands-on experience walking job sites and leading trade walks
Deep understanding of residential sequencing, trade scopes, assemblies, and cost drivers
Comfortable with takeoffs, quantity checks, and proposal review
Highly organized, detail-driven, able to manage multiple active projects
Strong written and verbal communication; confident with clients, trades, designers, PMs, and supers
Proficiency with Bluebeam, Excel, Google Workspace; experience with Asana, Buildertrend, Sage or similar is a plus

Location & Schedule

Based in San Francisco; must be local or able to reliably work in SF
Regular movement between office, jobsites, trade meetings, and client homes (up to 3 days/week in the field)

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $120,000 annually (DOE)
Health insurance: Kaiser medical plan eligibility starting the first of the month after 60 days
401(k) with up to 4% company match
15 days paid vacation annually, plus paid sick time and paid holidays
FasTrak for regional bridge travel and fuel coverage for work-related (non-commute) travel
Company laptop and cell phone (or phone reimbursement)
Access to company-funded classes and professional development

How to Apply
If you're passionate about architectural lighting design and excited to grow inside a small, values-driven studio, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to