Engineering opportunity
Estimator - Utility Infrastructures
Posted: October 23, 2026
SENIOR ESTIMATOR / ESTIMATING MANAGER – UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
Confidential Search | East San Diego County, CA | On-Site | Direct Hire
About the Opportunity
An established Southern California underground utility and heavy civil contractor is looking for a Senior Estimator to run its estimating group. You will lead a team of 3–5 estimators and be the expert behind competitive bids on dry utility infrastructure (gas, electric, telecom and joint trench), much of it for major utility owners and public agencies. This is an office-based role: you own the numbers and the team, and the field crews build what you price.
What You'll Do
Manage, mentor and review the work of a team of 3–5 estimators
Build production-based estimates for large-scale underground utility and civil projects
Prepare competitive hard bids for public agencies and major utility owners, and maintain blanket contract and unit-price estimates
Analyze RFPs, scopes of work, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs and build bid schedules
Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits
Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit and level pricing, and maintain the pricing database
Review final estimates with Operations, obtain internal approval and submit bid packages
Compare actual and budgeted costs and build cost models from historical data
Support project managers with hand-off, resource planning, scheduling and change orders
What You Bring
6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction
Proven experience estimating large-scale utility infrastructure projects and bidding public works and utility-owner work, including prevailing wage and DIR compliance
Experience leading and developing a team of estimators
Proficiency with B2W, Accubid or HCSS (HCSS HeavyBid preferred)
P6 and MS Project, plus strong Excel and the rest of MS Office
Sage 300/Timberline and/or Sage Paperless preferred
Strong skills in contract, cost and risk management, and clear written proposals
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management preferred, or equivalent experience
Able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County
Compensation & Benefits
$130,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
Company vehicle
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
About the Opportunity
An established Southern California underground utility and heavy civil contractor is looking for a Senior Estimator to run its estimating group. You will lead a team of 3–5 estimators and be the expert behind competitive bids on dry utility infrastructure (gas, electric, telecom and joint trench), much of it for major utility owners and public agencies. This is an office-based role: you own the numbers and the team, and the field crews build what you price.
What You'll Do
Manage, mentor and review the work of a team of 3–5 estimators
Build production-based estimates for large-scale underground utility and civil projects
Prepare competitive hard bids for public agencies and major utility owners, and maintain blanket contract and unit-price estimates
Analyze RFPs, scopes of work, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs and build bid schedules
Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits
Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit and level pricing, and maintain the pricing database
Review final estimates with Operations, obtain internal approval and submit bid packages
Compare actual and budgeted costs and build cost models from historical data
Support project managers with hand-off, resource planning, scheduling and change orders
What You Bring
6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction
Proven experience estimating large-scale utility infrastructure projects and bidding public works and utility-owner work, including prevailing wage and DIR compliance
Experience leading and developing a team of estimators
Proficiency with B2W, Accubid or HCSS (HCSS HeavyBid preferred)
P6 and MS Project, plus strong Excel and the rest of MS Office
Sage 300/Timberline and/or Sage Paperless preferred
Strong skills in contract, cost and risk management, and clear written proposals
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management preferred, or equivalent experience
Able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County
Compensation & Benefits
$130,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
Company vehicle
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.