Chief Estimator (Heavy Highway/Paving)

Peckham Industries, Inc; Palmer (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Peckham Industries Inc. is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead asphalt paving and heavy highway bids across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. You will manage a team of estimators, ensure timely, accurate bids, and align bid strategy with operations.

The role requires strong leadership and deep knowledge of regional DOT requirements. The position emphasizes mentoring, risk assessment, and collaboration with leadership to optimize bid performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years estimating asphalt paving or heavy highway work.
• Experience estimating DOT projects in the $5M–$45M range.
• Proficient with Bid2Win (B2W), MS Excel, Word, and Project.
• Strong knowledge of regional paving markets, public bidding, and DOT specs.
• Understanding of construction means, rates, sourcing, trucking, plant ops.
• Ability to identify risk and develop contingencies for bids.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the estimating team across four-state market.
• Review plans, specs, site conditions, quantities, costs before bid submission.
• Track market conditions and pricing trends to guide bidding decisions.
• Communicate bid strategy, risk, and exposure to leadership and operations.
• Engage customers, subcontractors, and suppliers to support bids.
• Document bid assumptions, risks, and commitments in handoffs.
• Compare estimates to actuals to improve future bids.
• Develop estimates and bid strategies for asphalt paving and major DOT work.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

English proficiency

Mentoring

Bid strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Bid2Win (B2W)

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word/Project

Job description

Peckham Industries Inc. (PII) has been a family-run business since 1924 and we believe our “ family by choice ” ethos delivers value as the trusted supplier of construction materials, products, and services in the communities we serve. Through our extensive network of hot mix asphalt and ready-mix concrete plants, quarries, and liquid asphalt terminals, PII delivers the highest quality materials and custom solutions to thousands of road construction and road maintenance customers. In addition, the company’s construction operations include paving and road reclamation services, as well as precast/prestressed concrete production and erection of multi-level parking structures, specialty buildings, and bridge components.

Become part of our mission by realizing your purpose, serving our community interests, and delivering growth for our customers. Peckham Industries educates, innovates, and applies technology in a way that is safe, sustainable, inclusive, and profitable.

Position Description

Job Summary:

The Chief Estimator leads estimating for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. This role manages a team of estimators and ensures bids are submitted on time, accurately priced, and achievable in the field. The Chief Estimator brings knowledge of each market to bid strategy and works with operations to improve bid performance.

Essential Functions:

• Results matter. Lead, assign work to, and mentor the estimating team across the four-state market.
• Focused. Review plans, specifications, site conditions, quantities, costs, and production assumptions before bid submission.
• Obligated. Track market conditions, competitors, upcoming opportunities, and pricing trends to guide bidding decisions.
• Communicate bid strategy, risk, and financial exposure clearly to leadership and operations teams.
• Respect and engage. Maintain relationships with customers, subcontractors, and suppliers to support competitive bids.
• Lead project handoffs and document key bid assumptions, risks, and commitments.
• Compare estimated costs with actual results and use those findings to improve future bids.
• Ownership and caring. Maintain consistent estimating procedures, tools, and bid review practices.
• Mastery. Develop estimates and bid strategies for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects, including major DOT work.
• Work with operations and project managers to confirm that bids reflect how the work will be built.
• Compulsive tinkering. Evaluate alternative construction methods and value engineering opportunities to optimize project costs.

Position Requirements

Requirements, Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of experience estimating asphalt paving or heavy highway work.
• Experience estimating DOT projects in the $5 million to $45 million range.
• Proficient using Bid2Win (B2W), Microsoft Excel, Word, and Project.
• Strong knowledge of regional paving markets, public bidding, and DOT specifications.
• Good understanding of construction means and methods, crew and equipment production rates, material sourcing, trucking, and plant operations.
• Proven ability to identify estimating risk, develop practical contingencies, and make sound bid/no-bid recommendations.
• Collaborate with leadership and operations leadership to evaluate bid opportunities, assess risk, and make the best decisions for the company.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and reviewing the work of other estimators.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficient verbal and written English
• Legal right to work in the U.S.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The actual rate or salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, and other legitimate business considerations, consistent with applicable law and the Company’s compensation practices.

Travel:

Position may require up to 20% travel by personal vehicle to offices throughout New England based on the needs of the business.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

This is mostly sedentary outside of traveling to construction sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers. The job will require frequent traveling in the field and various construction sites. This would require the ability to sit at a desk, frequent walking, bend or stand as necessary.

Values:

At Peckham, you will experience our values wherever you work: corporate offices, plants, quarries, or paving operations. We share a common set of values - safety, integrity, dedication, and efficiency which are embedded in how we show up every day. Ours is a culture where we protect family and friends, our word is our bond, we are committed to serve and results matter. Our values are the foundation of our growth, and we believe will pave the way for future success.

^PPC^

Equal Opportunity Employer

Peckham Industries Inc. (PII) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Afformative Action employer. It is our policy to provide EEO to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, if you have a disability and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Peckham, please contact [e-mail].