Estimator - Civil Grading

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.