Chief Estimator (Live Oak Power) (Req #: 361)

Position Title: Chief Estimator (Live Oak Power) (Req #: 361)

Location: Riverside, CA

Job Category: Estimating

Date Posted: 07/23/2026

Pay Range: $160,000.00 - $200,000.00

Position Description

Live Oak Power is part of the Goodfellow Bros. family of companies. As an employee of Live Oak Power, you are expected to estimate work the Live Oak Way by fully understanding, embracing, and exemplifying our Mission and Vision in your daily work.

Goodfellow Bros. (GBI) is a large heavy-civil contractor with operations throughout the West Coast & Hawaii. Our company is a fourth-generation, family-owned business, celebrating over 100 years in the industry! We have earned a reputation for professionalism and integrity that reflects our longstanding commitment to the individuals, businesses, and resources of the communities in which we live and work.

GBI has always maintained that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are now seeking to add to our team. We are looking for an Chief Estimator to join our team in Riverside, CA.

Position Summary

As Chief Estimator at Live Oak Power, you will play a key leadership role in securing and delivering successful underground utility, electrical utility infrastructure, and TUG construction projects by preparing accurate, timely, and competitive estimates and bid proposals. In addition to leading the estimating process, this position is intended for an experienced professional who is capable of managing and developing the estimating department, establishing consistent estimating practices, overseeing workload and bid priorities, and supporting the continued growth of the organization.

Working closely with senior estimators, the President, and Project Teams, you will help develop winning bids, provide guidance and oversight to estimating staff, and ensure a seamless transition to Project Management once projects are awarded. You will also support project success throughout construction by assisting with change orders, providing ongoing estimating expertise, and contributing to effective account management and overall project profitability.

This role is ideal for a collaborative, detail-oriented leader who can balance hands‑on estimating responsibilities with departmental leadership and who is committed to upholding Live Oak Power's high standards of safety, professionalism, quality, and operational excellence. As an employee of Live Oak Power, you are expected to estimate and lead the work the Live Oak Way, fully understanding, embracing, and exemplifying our Mission and Vision statements as you carry out your responsibilities each day.

Estimating and Preconstruction Leadership

1. Lead the estimating and preconstruction process for underground utility, electrical utility infrastructure, and TUG construction projects.
2. Oversee the development of accurate, competitive, and timely estimates from initial opportunity review through final bid submission.
3. Review plans, specifications, contracts, geotechnical reports, and other bid documents to define scope, evaluate constructability, and identify cost, schedule, and contractual risks.
4. Establish pursuit strategies, assign estimating responsibilities, and oversee quantity take-offs, production assumptions, labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost pricing.
5. Lead pre‑bid meetings, site visits, bid strategy sessions, and final estimate reviews with executive and operational leadership.
6. Ensure adequate subcontractor and supplier coverage, clearly defined scopes, and competitive pricing.
7. Use historical cost data, production rates, and market conditions to improve estimate accuracy and inform bid decisions.
8. Ensure proposals, bid summaries, assumptions, exclusions, and supporting documents are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

Team Leadership and Development

1. Lead, mentor, and develop estimators and preconstruction team members, providing technical guidance, workload direction, performance feedback, and career development support.
2. Assign estimating responsibilities based on project complexity, team capacity, and individual experience while maintaining accountability for deadlines and deliverables.
3. Review the work of estimators to ensure accuracy, consistency, completeness, and compliance with established estimating procedures.
4. Promote collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing across the estimating and operations teams.
5. Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and succession planning for the estimating department.

Operational Collaboration

1. Partner with the President, executive leadership, project management, field operations, and other key stakeholders to evaluate opportunities and develop competitive, executable project strategies.
2. Lead project turnover meetings following award, ensuring the project team understands the estimate, scope, assumptions, exclusions, subcontractor commitments, production expectations, and identified risks.
3. Support pre‑construction planning, procurement strategy, scheduling, value‑engineering, and constructability reviews.
4. Provide estimating expertise during construction, including change order pricing, cost analysis, claims support, scope interpretation, and evaluation of project performance against the original estimate.
5. Collaborate with project teams to capture lessons learned, actual production data, and final cost information for future estimating use.

Process Improvement and Financial Oversight

1. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve estimating standards, procedures, templates, systems, and quality‑control practices.
2. Maintain and enhance historical cost databases, labor and equipment rates, production benchmarks, subcontractor pricing, and market intelligence.
3. Monitor estimating performance, bid volume, hit rates, backlog opportunities, and estimate‑to‑actual results to identify trends and areas for improvement.
4. Recommend and implement estimating technologies, tools, and processes that improve efficiency, consistency, collaboration, and accuracy.
5. Support annual planning, forecasting, business development strategy, and evaluation of market opportunities.

Client Relations and Business Support

1. Participate in client meetings, pre‑bid conferences, site walkthroughs, interviews, proposal presentations, and contract negotiations.
2. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, vendors, engineers, utility partners, and other industry stakeholders.
3. Support business development efforts by identifying potential opportunities, assessing project fit, and contributing technical and pricing expertise during pursuit planning.
4. Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and partners regarding scope, pricing, alternatives, value‑engineering opportunities, and project approach.
5. Foster a collaborative, team‑oriented culture built on trust, accountability, integrity, and operational excellence.
6. Represent Live Oak Power with professionalism and a commitment to safety, quality, customer service, and long‑term client relationships.

Competitive Benefits & Total Rewards at Goodfellow Bros.

At Goodfellow Bros., employee well‑being is a top priority. Our comprehensive total rewards package is designed to support your physical, mental, and financial health while offering the flexibility to meet the diverse needs of you and your family. Here's what you can expect:

This position offers a salary range of $160,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on experience .

Additional Compensation

1. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) : As a partially employee‑owned company, GBI offers eligible employees the opportunity to build long‑term wealth through shared ownership.
2. 401(k) + Profit Sharing : Immediate eligibility with generous annual employer contributions that go beyond traditional match programs.
3. Wellness Incentives : Earn up to $700 per year for participating in healthy lifestyle activities.
4. Employee Referral Bonuses : Help grow our team and receive bonuses for successful referrals.

Benefits

1. Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance : Low‑cost plan options, including Premera HSA (WA, OR, CA), Kaiser HMO (OR, CA, HI), and HMSA (HI). Preventive care is covered at 100%.
2. Paid Time Off : Up to 26 days of vacation, 9 sick days, and 11 paid holidays annually.
3. Parental & Family Leave : One paid bonding week, with additional unpaid leave available.
4. Disability & Life Insurance : Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability, plus life insurance coverage up to 1.5x your annual salary.
5. Training & Career Growth : Access to leadership development programs, mentorship, and career advancement support.
6. Perks & Community Programs : Charitable contribution matching, paid volunteer time, and retail discounts.

1. Internal candidates will receive priority consideration for the five (5) calendar days after the position is posted.

Position Requirements

1. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the US without employer sponsorship.
2. Valid driver's license with a clean driving record required.
3. Bachelor's Degree (four‑year or technical) or equivalent experience in Construction Management or Civil Engineering
4. Minimum 10+ plus years of experience in general civil construction including the following.
5. 35+ years of experience in civil construction preferred
6. Proficiency with estimating software (e.g., HCSS HeavyBid, HeavyJob) and Microsoft Office preferred.
7. Knowledge of utility construction methods, production rates, and industry standards preferred.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

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