Chief Estimator — Heavy Civil Construction

Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with incentives

Profit sharing

Monthly safety bonus

Comprehensive health coverage

Job summary

Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. seeks a seasoned Chief Estimator to lead the heavy civil estimating team in Jacksonville, FL.

This in-office role focuses on site development, underground utilities, and roadway construction, guiding bid strategy and pricing for public and private projects. You will supervise the estimating group, mentor staff, review geotechnical and contract documents, and drive process improvements to improve win rates and margins while aligning with executive

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction (site development, underground utilities, roadway)
• Experience leading estimating teams and overseeing bids in public and private markets
• Ability to develop bid strategies, assess risk, and improve competitiveness

Responsibilities

• Lead heavy civil estimating team with accountability for accuracy and continuous improvement
• Drive bid strategy, project selection, and pricing approaches to support growth
• Evaluate opportunities via RFP review, scope analysis, and market research; contribute to go/no-go decisions
• Oversee detailed estimates for site development, utilities, and roadway construction
• Review drawings, specs, and contract docs to confirm scope, quantities, and cost drivers
• Lead final estimate reviews and present pricing strategies for internal approvals
• Ensure bids are complete, consistent, and submitted on time
• Mentor estimators and establish estimating processes and standards
• Coordinate with operations and finance to align estimating assumptions with actual costs

Skills

Plan reading/interpretation

Analytical skills

Cost modeling

Strategic judgment

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Bid2Win

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Primavera P6

Procore

Job description

Jacksonville, FL | Full-Time | Salaried | In-Office

At Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc., we don't just build infrastructure — we build life-changing infrastructure. We are a privately owned, employee-owned (ESOP) civil contracting firm based in Jacksonville, FL.

We specialize in public works, water resources (including water and wastewater treatment plants), and site development, with expertise in underground utilities, roadway construction, and related civil infrastructure.

We are seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to lead our heavy civil estimating team, with a focus on site development, underground utilities, and roadway construction. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving estimating strategy, improving win rates and margin performance, and developing a high-performing estimating team.

You'll help shape which projects we pursue, how we price and plan the work, and how we turn competitive bids into successful projects. Working closely with executive leadership and operations, you'll bring technical depth, sound judgment, and clear leadership to public and private project pursuits.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop the heavy civil estimating team, setting clear expectations for accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive bid strategy, project selection, and pricing approaches that support company growth and profitability.
• Evaluate opportunities through RFP review, scope analysis, and market research; contribute to go/no-go decisions based on risk, competitiveness, and strategic fit.
• Partner with executive leadership and operations to align estimating priorities, resources, and pursuit schedules.
• Oversee detailed, accurate estimates for site development, underground utilities, roadway construction, and related heavy civil scopes.
• Review drawings, specifications, contract documents, and geotechnical reports to confirm scope, quantities, cost drivers, and risk.
• Validate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general conditions costs, including production rates, schedules, and anticipated durations.
• Lead final estimate reviews and present pricing strategies, assumptions, exclusions, and project approaches for internal approval.
• Ensure bids and proposals are complete, consistent, accurate, and submitted on time.

Cost Analysis, Takeoffs & Constructability

• Direct and review quantity takeoffs and subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Work with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field teams to validate construction means, methods, productivity, sequencing, and constructability.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits as needed to assess existing conditions and project risks.
• Support value engineering and cost optimization while maintaining project requirements and quality.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, clients, and industry partners.
• Mentor estimators, takeoff specialists, and support staff; build technical capability and ownership across the team.
• Establish and improve estimating processes, tools, databases, and standards.
• Analyze historical cost data, production rates, lessons learned, and bid outcomes to improve future estimates.
• Coordinate with operations and finance to strengthen the connection between estimating assumptions and actual job costs.
• Stay current with market conditions, pricing shifts, bid requirements, and construction best practices.

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Leadership

• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction, with a strong background in site development, underground utilities, and roadway projects.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing or mentoring estimating teams.
• Experience preparing and overseeing bids in both public and private markets.
• Proven ability to develop bid strategies, assess project risk, and improve competitiveness and win rates.
• Strong understanding of civil construction methods, production rates, equipment requirements, cost drivers, and constructability.
• Familiarity with FDOT, municipal, or regional heavy civil bidding practices preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Technical Skills

• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, specifications, contract documents, and geotechnical reports.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills for quantity calculations, production analysis, and cost modeling.
• Experience with estimating and construction software such as HCSS HeavyBid, Bid2Win, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Primavera P6, Procore, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Teams, Project, and OneNote.
• Strong organization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and bid deadlines.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Clear communicator who can align teams, explain assumptions, and support sound decisions.
• Strategic judgment that balances risk, competitiveness, and opportunity.
• Commitment to developing people, sharing knowledge, and building a collaborative team.

Why Petticoat-Schmitt?

We live our values (A.C.T.):

Accountability – Safety first. Plan the work. Execute with ownership.

Character – Integrity, respect, trustworthiness, humility.

Team – Shared goals, servant leadership, determination, and results.

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Annual Profit Sharing – participate in company-wide profit sharing once annual goals are achieved.
• Monthly Safety Bonus – earned when the company goes recordable-incident free.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage Options, including a 100% company-paid High Deductible Health Plan (employee-only coverage).
• Dental, vision, short/long-term disability, and accident coverage.
• Up to $50,000 employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 4%.
• Ongoing training, leadership development, and growth opportunities.

Work Schedule

• Work schedules may vary based on bid deadlines, project pursuits, and business needs.

Location & Travel

• In-office position based at Petticoat-Schmitt’s Jacksonville, FL headquarters.
• Occasional travel for site visits, pre-bid meetings, project pursuits, and vendor meetings as needed.

What We Expect

• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• Consistent, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Professional appearance and conduct.
• Accurate, complete work and ownership of estimating commitments.
• Timely, professional communication with leadership, operations, clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Commitment to living Petticoat-Schmitt’s values of Accountability, Character, and Teamwork.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

About Petticoat-Schmitt

Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL since 2007, Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. is a privately owned, employee-owned (ESOP) civil contracting firm. We specialize in public works, water resources (including water and wastewater treatment plants), and site development, with expertise in underground utilities, roadway construction, and related civil infrastructure.

Agency Disclaimer

Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. manages its recruiting efforts internally and does not utilize third-party staffing agencies or external recruiters. We do not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or recruiting solicitations from staffing agencies. No placement fees will be paid for unsolicited submissions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.