Chief Estimator - Heavy Civil & Underground Utilities

Mainframe Solutions is recruiting a Chief Estimator for a growing Houston civil contractor specializing in underground utilities, wastewater infrastructure, and municipal construction.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for the company's estimating and preconstruction function, from opportunity evaluation and bid strategy through final pricing, proposal submission, and project handoff.

The Chief Estimator will work directly with executive leadership and operations to determine which projects to pursue, establish competitive pricing strategies, evaluate risk, strengthen estimating processes, and develop the estimating team as the company continues to grow.

Project Focus

• Underground utilities, including water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage
• Wastewater treatment plants and related infrastructure
• Municipal and public works construction
• Site development and utility installation
• Heavy civil infrastructure

Role Overview

The Chief Estimator will lead the pursuit and pricing of complex civil infrastructure projects while maintaining accuracy, competitiveness, and disciplined risk management across the estimating function.

This individual will have significant influence over project selection and bid strategy while also developing the people, processes, and systems required to support continued growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical estimating expertise with leadership experience and a deep understanding of how underground utility and municipal projects are actually constructed in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the complete estimating and preconstruction lifecycle from initial opportunity review through final bid submission
• Develop detailed estimates covering labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, production rates, and indirect costs
• Lead bid strategy, pricing, risk assessment, constructability reviews, and go/no-go discussions
• Analyze plans, specifications, utility profiles, grading plans, geotechnical information, and contract requirements
• Perform and review quantity takeoffs and production-based cost estimates
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Identify scope gaps, project risks, value engineering opportunities, and alternative construction approaches
• Lead final estimate reviews with executive leadership
• Partner with Project Managers and operations during project handoff, buyout, and startup
• Track historical production data, labor costs, equipment costs, and material pricing to improve estimating accuracy
• Develop relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, municipalities, and industry partners
• Monitor the Houston civil market and identify opportunities aligned with company capabilities and growth objectives

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the estimating team
• Establish consistent estimating procedures, standards, and quality controls
• Review estimates prepared by other team members before submission
• Allocate estimating resources across multiple concurrent pursuits
• Develop junior and senior estimators through coaching and technical guidance
• Improve estimating workflows, technology utilization, historical cost data, and bid tracking
• Partner with executive leadership on backlog strategy, market expansion, and long-term growth

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive heavy civil, underground utility, or infrastructure estimating experience preferred
• Significant experience estimating underground water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and related civil scopes
• Wastewater treatment plant and municipal infrastructure experience strongly preferred
• Previous experience leading, mentoring, or managing estimators
• Strong understanding of self-perform construction, production rates, equipment utilization, and field operations
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex estimates and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills
• Ability to work directly with executive leadership and operations

Technical Expertise

• Proficiency with industry estimating and digital takeoff software
• Strong understanding of civil drawings, utility profiles, grading plans, specifications, and geotechnical information
• Knowledge of underground utility construction methods, sequencing, excavation, trenching, shoring, and restoration
• Ability to evaluate soil conditions, groundwater, existing utilities, access constraints, permitting, and constructability risks
• Strong subcontractor and supplier negotiation capabilities
• Experience using historical cost and production data to improve pricing accuracy

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level compensation based on experience
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Time Off
• Additional compensation and benefits based on experience and overall package

Why This Opportunity?

This is more than a senior estimating position. The Chief Estimator will have a direct role in determining what the company pursues, how work is priced, how risk is evaluated, and how the estimating organization develops as the business grows.

For an experienced heavy civil estimator who wants greater ownership, leadership responsibility, and direct influence over company growth, this provides an opportunity to help shape the next stage of an established Houston civil contractor.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening in accordance with company policy and applicable laws. Failure to meet these requirements may result in withdrawal of the offer.