Estimator

Senior Estimator - Water/Wastewater Treatment

We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator with a strong background in water and wastewater treatment projects to join our construction estimating team. The Senior Estimator will lead cost estimating and bid preparation for treatment plants, pump stations, piping, and related civil/mechanical works. This role requires deep technical knowledge of water and wastewater systems, excellent quantitative skills, and the ability to manage complex proposals, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with operations, engineering, and business development teams to deliver competitive, accurate estimates and winning bids.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of detailed, timely cost estimates and bid packages for water and wastewater treatment projects including process equipment, civil works, structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation scopes.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, and design documents; develop and verify unit prices, labor/productivity rates, labor loading, and assembly costs.
• Analyze project risk, create contingency and escalation allowances, and perform sensitivity analysis and value engineering to optimize proposals.
• Coordinate with engineering, project managers, procurement, and subcontractors to obtain accurate pricing, clarify scope, and resolve discrepancies during bid preparation.
• Prepare bid narratives, scope breakdowns, assumptions, and exclusions to support proposals and client communications.
• Review subcontractor and vendor proposals, conduct bid comparisons, and develop subcontract scopes of work and subcontractor scopes for procurement.
• Maintain and update historical cost databases, unit price libraries, and estimating templates; improve estimating processes and standards.
• Present estimates and negotiate pricing with clients and partners; support pre-bid and post-bid meetings and provide clarifications during procurement.
• Mentor and train junior estimators, review their work for accuracy, and lead cross-functional estimating reviews to ensure consistency and completeness.
• Stay current on industry regulations, construction methods, materials, and equipment used in water and wastewater treatment to ensure compliant, constructible estimates.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 7+ years of estimating experience with a strong focus on water and wastewater treatment projects (treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, and process facilities).
• Proven track record preparing bid-ready estimates, proposals, and scopes of work for municipal and industrial water/wastewater projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods for mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, and instrumentation works in treatment facilities.
• Proficiency with estimating software and tools (e.g., HCSS, WinEst, Sage Estimating, Trimble, MS Excel) and familiarity with takeoff tools (Bluebeam, AutoCAD, PlanSwift).
• Excellent analytical, numerical, and attention-to-detail skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines.
• Effective communicator with client-facing experience; capable of presenting estimates and defending assumptions.
• Experience negotiating subcontractor and vendor pricing, and developing procurement strategies.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulations and standards (EPA, AWWA, state/local permitting) and safety/compliance practices.
• Ability to mentor junior staff, foster teamwork, and contribute to continuous improvement of estimating practices.

Benefits

Compensation: $120,000-$175,000 (DOE)

Vacation/PTO

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k

Bonus

Relocation

Telecommute

For this position you must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor for this position.