Chief Estimator

Appleton Finn; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleton Finn is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead preconstruction and estimating efforts for water and wastewater treatment projects across the United States. This pivotal role requires 12+ years of experience in heavy civil or mechanical construction, particularly with treatment plant projects. Responsibilities include leading estimating activities, reviewing plans, and maintaining relationships with clients and vendors. This position offers the opportunity to influence project strategy and business growth.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of estimating experience within heavy civil, industrial, or mechanical construction.
• Strong track record estimating water and wastewater treatment plant projects.
• Proficient in estimating software and cost modeling tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead all estimating and preconstruction activities across multiple water and wastewater treatment pursuits.
• Review plans and specifications to identify risks, constructability issues, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Solicit and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.

Skills

Estimating experience

Process piping

Mechanical construction

Strong communication skills

Tools

Estimating software

Cost modeling tools

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a Chief Estimator to lead preconstruction and estimating efforts across a growing portfolio of water and wastewater treatment projects. This role will be instrumental in driving pursuit strategy, securing new work, and ensuring accurate, competitive pricing across complex, mechanically intensive treatment facilities.

This position is best suited to someone with a strong background in WWTP/WTP construction, particularly within a self-performing contractor environment, combined with deep exposure to process piping, pump systems, and heavy mechanical scopes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all estimating and preconstruction activities across multiple water and wastewater treatment pursuits
• Treatment plant upgrades and new builds
• Pump stations and force mains
• Process/mechanical systems, including piping, equipment, and structural components
• Establish bid strategy with a focus on self-perform scopes, productivity, and execution planning
• Review plans and specifications to identify risks, constructability issues, and cost‑saving opportunities
• Work closely with operations teams to validate means and methods, manpower assumptions, and sequencing
• Solicit and level subcontractor and supplier pricing, with a focus on:
• Electrical and instrumentation scopes
• Specialty treatment systems
• Lead internal bid reviews and present pricing, risk, and strategy to senior leadership
• Support design‑build and negotiated work through early budgeting, value engineering, and client collaboration
• Maintain strong relationships with owners, engineers, and key vendors within the water/wastewater market
• Track market trends, labor conditions, and material pricing specific to treatment plant construction
• Mentor and develop estimating staff, driving consistency and best practices across the team

Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of estimating experience within heavy civil, industrial, or mechanical construction
• Strong track record estimating water and wastewater treatment plant projects
• Deep understanding of self‑perform construction, particularly:
• Process piping
• Equipment setting and installation
• Experience working on complex, multi-discipline treatment facilities ($20M–$200M+)
• Background in heavy industrial or mechanical construction is highly desirable
• Experience with design‑build, CMAR, or negotiated delivery methods preferred
• Proficient in estimating software and cost modeling tools
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface across field, office, and executive teams

Key Traits for Success

• Hands‑on, detail‑oriented approach with strong technical understanding of treatment systems
• Commercially aware with a focus on margin, risk, and execution strategy
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely with operations and field leadership
• Comfortable operating in a self‑perform, production‑driven environment
• Proactive and adaptable in a fast‑paced, pursuit‑focused setting

Why This Role

• Lead estimating for a contractor with a strong reputation in water and wastewater treatment construction
• Work on mechanically complex, self‑perform driven projects that require real technical expertise
• Be part of a team with a consistent pipeline of treatment plant and infrastructure work
• Opportunity to influence both project strategy and long‑term growth of the business