Chief Estimator

Appleton Finn; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleton Finn is seeking a seasoned Chief Estimator to spearhead estimating and preconstruction for a growing heavy civil group in the San Francisco Bay Area. You will own bid strategy, cost planning and the preconstruction process for a diverse civil portfolio, guiding teams and collaborating with executives to drive profitable bids.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in heavy civil estimating, strong leadership and a track record of delivering accurate, competitive costs across earthworks,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in heavy civil estimating/preconstruction.
• Experience leading estimating teams and bid strategy development.
• Strong knowledge of civil infrastructure costs, labor and equipment pricing.
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid, B2W, Bluebeam or similar software.
• Excellent analytical, communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and preconstruction activities for heavy civil projects.
• Establish bid strategies, pricing approaches and estimating procedures.
• Prepare and review competitive estimates across varying project sizes.
• Identify risks, opportunities and cost implications from plans and specs.
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, pricing, labor and equipment costs.
• Manage and mentor estimating staff and coordinate with PMs and leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Bid strategy

Cost estimation

Team mentoring

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

B2W Estimate

Bluebeam

AGTEK

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Bay Area, CA

We are seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction activities for a growing heavy civil construction business in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is an excellent opportunity for an established estimating professional to take ownership of bid strategy, estimating operations, cost planning and preconstruction across a diverse portfolio of civil infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record estimating heavy civil construction projects, with experience in earthwork, grading, paving, underground utilities and public infrastructure. You will lead the preparation and review of competitive bids, develop accurate cost estimates, manage estimating teams and work closely with project management, operations and executive leadership to support business growth.

This is a senior leadership position for someone who combines strong technical estimating expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to develop a high-performing estimating team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities for heavy civil construction projects.
• Establish bid strategies, pricing approaches and estimating procedures to support business objectives.
• Direct the preparation of accurate and competitive estimates for projects ranging from smaller civil packages to large-scale infrastructure work.
• Review plans, specifications, bid documents, scopes of work and contract requirements to identify risks, opportunities and cost implications.
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, material pricing, labor costs, equipment costs, subcontractor pricing and indirect costs.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, bid proposals, budgets and pricing schedules.
• Manage and develop estimators, providing technical guidance, workload coordination and quality control.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Superintendents, Operations and executive leadership to validate assumptions, production rates, construction methods and project schedules.
• Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, owners and other industry partners.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure accurate scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Identify project risks, cost exposures and potential value-engineering opportunities during the bidding process.
• Establish and maintain estimating databases, historical cost information, production rates and pricing benchmarks.
• Review bid results and project performance to improve estimating accuracy and future bidding strategies.
• Support bid/no-bid decisions based on project risk, workload, profitability and strategic fit.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, client meetings and bid reviews.
• Support business development by identifying suitable opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Oversee bid handover to project management and operations teams following contract award.
• Promote consistency, accountability and continuous improvement across the estimating function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Engineering or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in heavy civil construction estimating, preconstruction or a related discipline.
• Significant experience estimating civil infrastructure projects, ideally with progression into a Chief Estimator, Estimating Manager or senior estimating leadership role.
• Strong technical knowledge of heavy civil construction means, methods, equipment, labor requirements and production rates.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing estimates for complex civil construction projects.
• Experience managing, mentoring or leading estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of quantity takeoffs, cost modelling, subcontractor procurement and bid preparation.
• Proven ability to develop competitive pricing strategies while protecting project margins and commercial interests.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications, contracts and bid packages.
• Strong knowledge of construction costs, labor rates, equipment costs, material pricing and subcontractor markets in Northern California.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids, competing deadlines and changing priorities.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to communicate estimating assumptions, risks and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Proficiency with estimating and construction software such as HCSS HeavyBid, B2W Estimate, Bluebeam, AGTEK, Microsoft Excel or similar.
• Ability to attend project sites, pre-bid meetings and client meetings throughout the Bay Area and Northern California as required.

Preferred Experience

• Heavy civil construction and public works
• Asphalt paving and roadway construction
• Mass grading and earthwork
• Underground wet and dry utilities
• Water and sewer infrastructure
• Storm drainage and pipeline construction
• Highway and transportation infrastructure
• Concrete paving and structures
• Site development and civil infrastructure
• Municipal and public agency projects
• Design-build and alternative delivery projects
• Subcontractor and supplier procurement
• Estimating team leadership and bid strategy

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a strategic, commercially minded Chief Estimator who can lead the estimating function while supporting the company's continued growth across the Bay Area and Northern California.

The ideal candidate will combine hands-on estimating expertise with the leadership skills needed to manage a team, establish effective bidding strategies and work closely with operations and executive leadership. You should be comfortable evaluating complex bid opportunities, identifying commercial risks, developing competitive pricing and making informed decisions that support sustainable profitability.

This is an opportunity for a senior estimating professional who wants to make a meaningful impact on the direction, performance and growth of a heavy civil construction business.