Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Estimator

Location: Southern California project sites / Newport Beach, CA office
Schedule: Full-time, office-based with site visits as needed
Industry: Public Works / General Contractor / Water & Civil Infrastructure

STRM is excited to partner with our client!

Our client is a is a public works-focused general contractor serving Southern California since 1988, with headquarters in Newport Beach, CA and an additional fabrication shop in Ontario. The company is privately held, operates in the construction industry, and employs approximately 51–200 people.

Out client delivers complex, high-quality projects that require strong planning, cost control, schedule awareness, and close coordination between office and field teams. The company’s work is rooted in accountability, teamwork, honesty, and respect, with a culture that supports growth, training, and long-term career development.

Position Summary:

The Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and well-supported estimates for public works and civil infrastructure projects. This person will review drawings, specifications, bid documents, site conditions, and subcontractor input to build complete cost proposals that reflect the companies’ standards for quality, value, and execution.

This role requires someone who understands how to estimate work thoughtfully and strategically, with a cost-savings mindset, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with project management, field leadership, and leadership teams. The right candidate will be organized, responsive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where winning work depends on both technical accuracy and practical judgment.

What You’ll Do:

• Review bid invitations, plans, specifications, addenda, and related project documents.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop accurate cost estimates.
• Solicit, track, and analyze subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Evaluate scope gaps, exclusions, assumptions, and risks.
• Prepare bid summaries, leveling sheets, and estimate backup for management review.
• Coordinate with project managers, superintendents, and leadership to validate means, methods, and production assumptions.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities and cost-saving alternatives.
• Support pre-bid site walks, scope reviews, and bid strategy discussions.
• Review constructability, sequencing, logistics, and phasing impacts on pricing.
• Help develop clarifications and RFIs during the bidding process when needed.
• Maintain organized bid files, pricing logs, and historical cost information.
• Participate in handoff meetings after award to support a smooth transition into project execution.
• Represent the company professionally with vendors, trade partners, clients, and internal teams.

What our client Is Looking For:

• 2–5+ years of estimating experience in construction; more experience is welcome.
• Public works estimating experience strongly preferred.
• Water infrastructure, stormwater, utility, restoration, or civil infrastructure background is highly preferred.
• Experience estimating general engineering or heavy civil work is a major plus.
• Strong ability to read plans, specifications, and bid documents.
• Comfortable using estimating software, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office tools.
• Organized, responsive, and detail-oriented with strong follow-through.
• Practical communicator with a collaborative, team-first mindset.
• Cost-conscious thinker who looks for smart ways to win work without sacrificing quality.
• Willing to learn the clients internal systems and processes.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with public agency and prevailing wage work.
• Familiarity with Procore, Bluebeam, Revit, and other construction technology tools.
• Background in self-performed work, field coordination, or project management.
• Experience estimating projects with multiple trades, site constraints, and phased work.
• Knowledge of Southern California public works market conditions.

Tools / Systems:

• Internal proprietary project and filing system.
• Bluebeam.
• Procore.
• Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Estimating and takeoff tools as applicable.

Why Join our amazing client:

• Strong pipeline of active public works projects.
• Opportunity to support a growing contractor with a proven track record.
• Collaborative, people-focused culture with long-tenured leadership.
• Career growth opportunities and support for ongoing learning.
• Full benefits for eligible employees (non-union).
• Team-oriented environment that values accountability, respect, and hard work.
• A company that rewards strong performance, practical thinking, and long-term commitment.