Engineering opportunity
Estimator - Civil Grading
Posted: October 29, 2026
ESTIMATOR – CIVIL GRADING & SITE WORK (PUBLIC WORKS / HEAVY CIVIL)
Confidential Search | East San Diego County, CA | On-Site | Direct Hire
$120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience, plus full benefits
About the Opportunity
An established Southern California heavy civil contractor is hiring an Estimator to price civil grading and site work. You'll bid earthwork, mass and fine grading, and site development packages, along with the underground utilities, paving and concrete that go with them. Projects range from small jobs to large-scale work for major regional utilities and state transportation agencies, public works for local and federal agencies, and private residential, commercial and industrial development. The company self-performs its work, so you will see your estimates built by its own crews.
What You'll Do
Perform quantity take-offs for earthwork, cut and fill, mass and fine grading, and site development
Take off the related underground utilities (sewer, water, storm drain, gas, electric), trenching, shoring, paving and concrete
Build cost estimates from labor, equipment and production rates, materials and subcontractor quotes
Prepare competitive bids for public agencies, utility owners and private developers, following prevailing wage, DIR and federal/state/local procurement rules
Solicit, evaluate and negotiate supplier and subcontractor pricing
Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks and bid reviews, and submit proposals on deadline
Work with project managers, engineers and field crews on constructability and value engineering
Maintain unit costs and the cost database, and support project turnover and change orders
What You Bring
5+ years of estimating experience in civil grading, earthwork, heavy civil or underground utility construction
Experience estimating grading, site development and horizontal civil projects, including large-scale underground utility work
Track record of government and public works bidding (prevailing wage, DIR), as well as private development bids
Proficiency with HeavyBid, B2W, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift and advanced Excel
Ability to build unit costs from historical production data
Solid understanding of scheduling, sequencing, safety standards and permitting
Civil engineering or construction management background a plus; a degree is not required
Organized, deadline-driven and a strong communicator
Based in Southern California and able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County
Compensation & Benefits
$120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
Multiple medical and dental plan options
Voluntary vision, life and AD&D coverage
Aflac
401(k) with company match
Paid vacation, holiday and sick time
Employee Assistance Program
This is a confidential search. The employer is disclosed to qualified candidates after an initial conversation.
Confidential Search | East San Diego County, CA | On-Site | Direct Hire
$120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience, plus full benefits
About the Opportunity
An established Southern California heavy civil contractor is hiring an Estimator to price civil grading and site work. You'll bid earthwork, mass and fine grading, and site development packages, along with the underground utilities, paving and concrete that go with them. Projects range from small jobs to large-scale work for major regional utilities and state transportation agencies, public works for local and federal agencies, and private residential, commercial and industrial development. The company self-performs its work, so you will see your estimates built by its own crews.
What You'll Do
Perform quantity take-offs for earthwork, cut and fill, mass and fine grading, and site development
Take off the related underground utilities (sewer, water, storm drain, gas, electric), trenching, shoring, paving and concrete
Build cost estimates from labor, equipment and production rates, materials and subcontractor quotes
Prepare competitive bids for public agencies, utility owners and private developers, following prevailing wage, DIR and federal/state/local procurement rules
Solicit, evaluate and negotiate supplier and subcontractor pricing
Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks and bid reviews, and submit proposals on deadline
Work with project managers, engineers and field crews on constructability and value engineering
Maintain unit costs and the cost database, and support project turnover and change orders
What You Bring
5+ years of estimating experience in civil grading, earthwork, heavy civil or underground utility construction
Experience estimating grading, site development and horizontal civil projects, including large-scale underground utility work
Track record of government and public works bidding (prevailing wage, DIR), as well as private development bids
Proficiency with HeavyBid, B2W, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift and advanced Excel
Ability to build unit costs from historical production data
Solid understanding of scheduling, sequencing, safety standards and permitting
Civil engineering or construction management background a plus; a degree is not required
Organized, deadline-driven and a strong communicator
Based in Southern California and able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County
Compensation & Benefits
$120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
Multiple medical and dental plan options
Voluntary vision, life and AD&D coverage
Aflac
401(k) with company match
Paid vacation, holiday and sick time
Employee Assistance Program
This is a confidential search. The employer is disclosed to qualified candidates after an initial conversation.