Chief Estimator

Elite Earthworks and Engineering; Murrieta (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Earthworks & Engineering in Southern California seeks a Chief Estimator to lead the estimating department and stay hands-on in bidding heavy grading and demolition projects. This is a senior, working leadership role; the right candidate steps in day one, independently bids and prices projects, and guides the team in bid reviews.

You will review bid invitations, manage takeoff technicians, run weekly sales meetings, and hand off won work to project management with clear scope and risk

Qualifications

• 12+ years of heavy civil estimating experience.
• Ability to independently bid jobs start to finish.
• Experience with public works and prevailing wage estimating; K-12 a plus.
• Strong leadership presence; comfortable training and reviewing estimators.
• Proficiency with professional estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Independently prepare and price competitive bids for grading and demolition jobs.
• Review bid invitations and lead go/no go decisions.
• Manage takeoff technicians and keep quantities on schedule.
• Lead, coach, and review the work of other estimators.
• Run weekly sales meetings and build sales KPI reporting.
• Hand off won projects to project management with clear scope and risk notes.
• Attend job walks, outreach events, and client visits.

Skills

Heavy civil estimating

Bid independently

Leadership presence

Public works experience

Prevailing wage estimating

Estimating software

K-12 project experience

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

ABOUT US

Elite Earthworks & Engineering is an established grading and demolition subcontractor serving Southern California public works, with a heavy focus on K-12 and community college prevailing wage projects.

THE ROLE

We're hiring a Chief Estimator to lead our estimating department and remain hands on in the bidding itself. This is a senior, working leadership role, not an oversight position. The right candidate steps in day one, independently bids and prices heavy grading and demolition work, and is the person the team turns to for training and bid reviews.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently prepare and price competitive bids for grading and demolition jobs
• Review bid invitations and lead go/no go decisions
• Manage takeoff technicians and keep quantities on schedule
• Lead, coach, and review the work of other estimators
• Run weekly sales meetings and build sales KPI reporting
• Hand off won projects to project management with clear scope and risk notes
• Attend job walks, outreach events, and client visits

REQUIREMENTS

• 12+ years of heavy civil estimating experience in grading and demolition
• Proven ability to independently bid jobs start to finish
• Experience with public works and prevailing wage estimating, K-12 a plus
• Strong leadership presence; comfortable training and reviewing other estimators
• Proficiency with professional estimating software