Engineering opportunity
Senior Estimator - Heavy Civil
Posted: September 10, 2026
Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Construction
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil to lead the development of accurate, competitive estimates for complex infrastructure projects throughout Southern California.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience estimating for a self-performing heavy civil contractor, with strong knowledge of underground utilities, earthwork, grading, asphalt paving, structural concrete, railroad, and public works construction.
This is a hands-on estimating role for an experienced professional who understands heavy civil means and methods, crew productivity, equipment utilization, material costs, subcontractor scopes, and project risk. The Senior Estimator will work closely with operations and executive leadership to evaluate opportunities, develop bid strategies, and successfully transition awarded projects to the operations team.
Key Responsibilities
Lead preparation of detailed estimates and competitive bids for heavy civil infrastructure projects.
Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, contracts, addenda, and other bid documents to determine complete project scope.
Perform and review detailed quantity takeoffs for self-performed and subcontracted scopes.
Develop accurate labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
Build detailed crew-based production estimates based on construction means and methods.
Develop and validate production rates, crew compositions, equipment requirements, and unit costs.
Lead estimating efforts for self-performed work including:
Underground Utilities
Water, Sewer & Storm Drain
Earthwork & Mass Grading
Excavation
Asphalt Paving
Structural Concrete
Railroad Infrastructure
Public Works
Solicit, review, level, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
Identify scope gaps and ensure complete bid coverage.
Develop bid strategies with operations and executive leadership.
Analyze project risks, opportunities, site constraints, logistics, and constructability.
Evaluate alternative construction methods and value engineering opportunities to improve bid competitiveness.
Attend pre-bid meetings and conduct project site visits.
Coordinate with Project Managers and Superintendents to validate construction approach, production assumptions, equipment needs, and schedules.
Develop preliminary construction schedules and sequencing to support estimates.
Participate in estimate reviews and final bid-day pricing decisions.
Prepare bid proposals, qualifications, clarifications, and supporting documentation.
Support owner negotiations and post-bid interviews when required.
Lead project handoff meetings following successful awards to ensure estimating assumptions are effectively communicated to operations.
Maintain and analyze historical cost and production data to continuously improve estimating accuracy.
Monitor labor, equipment, fuel, concrete, asphalt, aggregate, pipe, and other material pricing.
Mentor and develop junior estimators and estimating staff.
Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, owners, engineers, and industry partners.
Preferred Project Experience
Candidates with estimating experience across multiple heavy civil disciplines are highly preferred, including:
Underground Wet Utilities
Water & Sewer Pipelines
Storm Drain
Earthwork
Mass Excavation
Mass Grading
Asphalt Paving
Structural Concrete
Bridges & Structures
Railroad Construction
Caltrans
Public Works
Utility Infrastructure
Transportation Infrastructure
Municipal & Agency Projects
Required Qualifications
10+ years of heavy civil construction estimating experience.
Strong background estimating for a self-performing heavy civil contractor.
Demonstrated estimating experience across multiple scopes including utilities, earthwork, grading, asphalt, and concrete.
Strong knowledge of the Southern California heavy civil construction market.
Experience bidding public works, municipal, transportation, railroad, or utility-owner projects.
Advanced understanding of heavy civil construction means and methods.
Strong knowledge of labor and equipment production rates.
Ability to read and interpret complex civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents.
Experience developing complete estimates from initial quantity takeoff through final bid submission.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage multiple estimates and meet critical bid deadlines.
Estimating & Preconstruction Expertise
Candidates should have strong experience with:
Quantity Takeoffs
Conceptual & Detailed Estimating
Crew-Based Estimating
Production Rate Development
Labor & Equipment Pricing
Material Pricing
Subcontractor Bid Leveling
Bid Solicitation
Cost Analysis
Means & Methods
Constructability Reviews
Value Engineering
Risk Analysis
Bid Strategy
Preliminary Scheduling
Cost History & Production Tracking
Public Works Bidding
Project Handoffs
Technical Skills
Experience with industry estimating and construction software is highly preferred, including:
HCSS HeavyBid
InEight / Hard Dollar
Bluebeam Revu
Primavera P6
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office Suite
Digital takeoff software
Construction scheduling and project management platforms
Preferred Qualifications
Caltrans estimating and bidding experience.
Railroad construction experience with BNSF, Union Pacific, Metrolink, or similar rail owners.
Extensive California public works bidding experience.
Experience estimating large self-performed heavy civil projects.
Strong relationships with Southern California subcontractors and suppliers.
Experience with Design-Build, CM/GC, or other alternative delivery methods.
Experience mentoring and developing junior estimating professionals.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a hands-on heavy civil estimator who understands how work is actually built in the field.
The successful candidate will be able to look beyond quantities and unit prices to understand crew composition, production, equipment selection, site logistics, sequencing, constructability, and project risk.
This individual should be equally comfortable performing detailed estimate reviews, discussing means and methods with Superintendents, developing bid strategy with leadership, negotiating subcontractor pricing, and leading a final bid review.
Location
Southern California – Riverside Region
Regional travel for pre-bid meetings, site walks, and project visits may be required.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $150,000–$200,000+, depending on experience.
Profit sharing / performance incentives.
Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
401(k) retirement benefits.
Paid Time Off.
Additional company benefits.
Long-term advancement opportunities within estimating and preconstruction leadership.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take a senior role in pursuing and winning complex heavy civil work throughout Southern California. You'll have direct involvement in bid strategy, estimating, preconstruction, means and methods, risk analysis, and project selection while working closely with experienced operations and executive leadership.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil to lead the development of accurate, competitive estimates for complex infrastructure projects throughout Southern California.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience estimating for a self-performing heavy civil contractor, with strong knowledge of underground utilities, earthwork, grading, asphalt paving, structural concrete, railroad, and public works construction.
This is a hands-on estimating role for an experienced professional who understands heavy civil means and methods, crew productivity, equipment utilization, material costs, subcontractor scopes, and project risk. The Senior Estimator will work closely with operations and executive leadership to evaluate opportunities, develop bid strategies, and successfully transition awarded projects to the operations team.
Key Responsibilities
Lead preparation of detailed estimates and competitive bids for heavy civil infrastructure projects.
Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, contracts, addenda, and other bid documents to determine complete project scope.
Perform and review detailed quantity takeoffs for self-performed and subcontracted scopes.
Develop accurate labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
Build detailed crew-based production estimates based on construction means and methods.
Develop and validate production rates, crew compositions, equipment requirements, and unit costs.
Lead estimating efforts for self-performed work including:
Underground Utilities
Water, Sewer & Storm Drain
Earthwork & Mass Grading
Excavation
Asphalt Paving
Structural Concrete
Railroad Infrastructure
Public Works
Solicit, review, level, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
Identify scope gaps and ensure complete bid coverage.
Develop bid strategies with operations and executive leadership.
Analyze project risks, opportunities, site constraints, logistics, and constructability.
Evaluate alternative construction methods and value engineering opportunities to improve bid competitiveness.
Attend pre-bid meetings and conduct project site visits.
Coordinate with Project Managers and Superintendents to validate construction approach, production assumptions, equipment needs, and schedules.
Develop preliminary construction schedules and sequencing to support estimates.
Participate in estimate reviews and final bid-day pricing decisions.
Prepare bid proposals, qualifications, clarifications, and supporting documentation.
Support owner negotiations and post-bid interviews when required.
Lead project handoff meetings following successful awards to ensure estimating assumptions are effectively communicated to operations.
Maintain and analyze historical cost and production data to continuously improve estimating accuracy.
Monitor labor, equipment, fuel, concrete, asphalt, aggregate, pipe, and other material pricing.
Mentor and develop junior estimators and estimating staff.
Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, owners, engineers, and industry partners.
Preferred Project Experience
Candidates with estimating experience across multiple heavy civil disciplines are highly preferred, including:
Underground Wet Utilities
Water & Sewer Pipelines
Storm Drain
Earthwork
Mass Excavation
Mass Grading
Asphalt Paving
Structural Concrete
Bridges & Structures
Railroad Construction
Caltrans
Public Works
Utility Infrastructure
Transportation Infrastructure
Municipal & Agency Projects
Required Qualifications
10+ years of heavy civil construction estimating experience.
Strong background estimating for a self-performing heavy civil contractor.
Demonstrated estimating experience across multiple scopes including utilities, earthwork, grading, asphalt, and concrete.
Strong knowledge of the Southern California heavy civil construction market.
Experience bidding public works, municipal, transportation, railroad, or utility-owner projects.
Advanced understanding of heavy civil construction means and methods.
Strong knowledge of labor and equipment production rates.
Ability to read and interpret complex civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents.
Experience developing complete estimates from initial quantity takeoff through final bid submission.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage multiple estimates and meet critical bid deadlines.
Estimating & Preconstruction Expertise
Candidates should have strong experience with:
Quantity Takeoffs
Conceptual & Detailed Estimating
Crew-Based Estimating
Production Rate Development
Labor & Equipment Pricing
Material Pricing
Subcontractor Bid Leveling
Bid Solicitation
Cost Analysis
Means & Methods
Constructability Reviews
Value Engineering
Risk Analysis
Bid Strategy
Preliminary Scheduling
Cost History & Production Tracking
Public Works Bidding
Project Handoffs
Technical Skills
Experience with industry estimating and construction software is highly preferred, including:
HCSS HeavyBid
InEight / Hard Dollar
Bluebeam Revu
Primavera P6
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office Suite
Digital takeoff software
Construction scheduling and project management platforms
Preferred Qualifications
Caltrans estimating and bidding experience.
Railroad construction experience with BNSF, Union Pacific, Metrolink, or similar rail owners.
Extensive California public works bidding experience.
Experience estimating large self-performed heavy civil projects.
Strong relationships with Southern California subcontractors and suppliers.
Experience with Design-Build, CM/GC, or other alternative delivery methods.
Experience mentoring and developing junior estimating professionals.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a hands-on heavy civil estimator who understands how work is actually built in the field.
The successful candidate will be able to look beyond quantities and unit prices to understand crew composition, production, equipment selection, site logistics, sequencing, constructability, and project risk.
This individual should be equally comfortable performing detailed estimate reviews, discussing means and methods with Superintendents, developing bid strategy with leadership, negotiating subcontractor pricing, and leading a final bid review.
Location
Southern California – Riverside Region
Regional travel for pre-bid meetings, site walks, and project visits may be required.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $150,000–$200,000+, depending on experience.
Profit sharing / performance incentives.
Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
401(k) retirement benefits.
Paid Time Off.
Additional company benefits.
Long-term advancement opportunities within estimating and preconstruction leadership.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take a senior role in pursuing and winning complex heavy civil work throughout Southern California. You'll have direct involvement in bid strategy, estimating, preconstruction, means and methods, risk analysis, and project selection while working closely with experienced operations and executive leadership.