Chief Estimator

Metric Geo; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with matching

Company vehicle or vehicle stipend

Job summary

Metric Geo is seeking a seasoned heavy civil estimator to lead all aspects of the estimating process in the Dallas area. You will guide conceptual budgets, cost development, and bid submissions across underground utilities, concrete, earthwork, drainage, and paving.

You will mentor a team of estimators, review plans, and craft competitive bid strategies while communicating assumptions and risks to clients and senior leadership. A strong understanding of means and methods is essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ to 20+ years of experience in heavy civil construction estimating.
• Experience estimating underground utilities, structural concrete, earthwork, drainage, paving, and other heavy civil scopes.
• Proven track record estimating complex civil infrastructure projects in the DFW/Texas market.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, production rates, labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractor pricing.
• Excellent client-facing and communication skills with the ability to present estimates, pricing strategies, and project assumptions.
• Experience mentoring or leading estimating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating process for heavy civil construction projects from conceptual budgets through final bid submissions.
• Prepare and oversee detailed estimates for underground utilities, structural concrete, earthwork, drainage, paving, and other heavy civil scopes.
• Lead quantity takeoffs, production analysis, subcontractor and supplier pricing, and cost development.
• Develop competitive bid strategies while evaluating project risks, constructability, schedules, and market conditions.
• Review plans, specifications, and contract documents to identify scope requirements, opportunities, and potential risks.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Serve as a key contact with clients throughout estimating and preconstruction, communicating costs, assumptions, exclusions, and strategy.
• Lead bid reviews and presentations with senior leadership and project teams.
• Support business development with conceptual budgets, preliminary estimates, and pricing strategies.
• Mentor estimators and help establish consistent estimating processes, standards, and best practices.
• Coordinate with operations and project management to align estimates with means, methods, and field requirements.
• Stay informed on market conditions, subcontractor availability, material pricing, and labor trends to stay competitive.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

Client communication

Team mentoring

Bid strategy

Cost development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Job description

Metric are partnered with a leader in civil construction, delivering high-impact civil projects that improve communities and drive progress. Their work improves lives.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the estimating process for heavy civil construction projects from conceptual budgets through final bid submissions.
• Prepare and oversee detailed estimates for projects involving underground utilities, structural concrete, earthwork, drainage, paving, and other heavy civil scopes.
• Lead quantity takeoffs, production analysis, subcontractor and supplier pricing, and detailed cost development.
• Develop competitive bid strategies while evaluating project risks, constructability, schedules, and market conditions.
• Review plans, specifications, and contract documents to identify scope requirements, opportunities, and potential risks.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Serve as a key point of contact with clients throughout the estimating and preconstruction process, clearly communicating project costs, assumptions, exclusions, and estimating strategy.
• Lead bid reviews and presentations with senior leadership and project teams.
• Support business development efforts by developing conceptual budgets, preliminary estimates, and pricing strategies for prospective projects.
• Mentor and develop estimators while helping establish consistent estimating processes, standards, and best practices.
• Work closely with operations and project management teams to ensure estimates are aligned with construction means, methods, and field requirements.
• Stay informed on DFW market conditions, subcontractor availability, material pricing, and labor trends to maintain competitive and accurate estimates.

What We're Looking For:

• 10-20+ years of experience in heavy civil construction estimating.
• Strong experience with underground utilities, structural concrete, earthwork, drainage, paving, and other heavy civil scopes.
• Proven experience estimating complex civil infrastructure projects in the DFW/Texas market preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, production rates, labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractor pricing.
• Excellent client-facing and communication skills with the ability to confidently present estimates, pricing strategies, and project assumptions.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Experience leading bid reviews, developing estimating strategies, and managing multiple pursuits simultaneously.
• Proficiency with estimating software such as HCSS HeavyBid or similar platforms.
• Prior experience mentoring or leading estimating teams preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred, or equivalent industry experience.
• Salary: $150,000- $200,000 depending on experience + bonuses.
• 401k with matching
• Company Vehicle or Vehicle Reimbursement.