Chief Estimator in Dallas

Energy Jobline ZR; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Flexible Spending Account

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Gym membership discount

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

McKee Utility Contractors, based in Dallas, Texas, seeks a Chief Estimator - Water/Wastewater Construction to lead the estimating group and oversee preconstruction, budgeting, and bids for critical water and wastewater projects.

You will guide strategy across treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, and related civil infrastructure, interfacing with executives and operations to deliver accurate, competitive estimates and drive growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil, utility, water, or wastewater construction.
• 5+ years in a senior estimating leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead all bid preparation, takeoffs, and cost estimates for new opportunities.
• Manage the estimating team and the pipeline of active and pending bids.
• Develop and maintain unit cost databases, labor rates, and crew productivity standards.
• Review final bid packages and ensure accuracy and competitiveness.
• Build relationships with prime contractors, project owners, and design engineers.
• Recommend bid/no-bid decisions with Executive Leadership.
• Analyze post-award reasons and refine estimating methodologies.
• Coordinate with Operations on schedule, productivity, and constructability.
• Lead change order pricing and claim preparation for active projects.
• Maintain estimating software, templates, and historical project databases.
• Forecast revenue pipeline and report bid win rates and backlog to Executive Leadership.
• Mentor and develop estimating staff and identify training needs.

Skills

Leadership

Project estimation

Bid strategy

Team mentoring

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

BuildingConnected

SmartBid

Job description

Job Description Overview

The Chief Estimator - Water / Wastewater Construction is responsible for leading the estimating department and overseeing all preconstruction, budgeting, and bid activities for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role provides strategic direction for estimating efforts involving treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, pipelines, utility relocations, and related civil infrastructure. The Chief Estimator works closely with executive leadership, operations, business development, and project management teams to deliver accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates that support the company's growth strategy.

Location & Travel Details

This is an onsite executive leadership role based in Dallas, Texas. Some travel to project sites and company offices may be required. Relocation assistance is available. This role offers a competitive executive-level compensation package and the opportunity to lead estimating strategy for a growing water and wastewater infrastructure contractor.

Company Overview

McKee Utility Contractors is a family-founded and operated company with over 40 years of proven expertise in water and wastewater line installation, tunneling, and boring, and concrete structure construction. Since our beginning, we have been dedicated to delivering the critical infrastructure that strengthens communities and supports a higher quality of life.

Our deep knowledge of soil bore analysis, local environments, and regional regulations - combined with our uncompromising commitment to safety, precise budgeting, on-time delivery, and strategic planning - has established McKee as a trusted partner for reliable, efficient water and wastewater system construction across multiple regions.

McKee is part of the MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CE&I) business segment. The CE&I segment generates over $4.5 billion in annual revenue, providing construction services across our renewables, industrial, infrastructure, and general building operating groups. Sustainability and safety are foundational to our culture and influence everything we do.

MasTec, a minority-owned Fortune 500 company, has shaped the construction industry for more than 90 years. With over 35,000 employees and 400 offices nationwide, we provide flexibility and career growth in dynamic work environments. Join one of the largest construction firms in the country (Engineering News-Record [ENR]: #1 in Power, #16 Top 50 Domestic Heavy Contractors, #13 Transportation Contractor).

Responsibilities

• Lead all bid preparation, takeoffs, and cost estimates for new opportunities
• Manage the estimating team and the pipeline of active and pending bids
• Develop and maintain unit cost databases, labor rates, and crew productivity standards
• Review final bid packages and assume responsibility for accuracy and competitiveness
• Build relationships with prime contractors, project owners, and design engineers
• Recommend bid/no-bid decisions in coordination Executive Leadership
• Analyze post-award win/loss reasons and refine estimating methodologies
• Coordinate with Operations on schedule, productivity assumptions, and constructability
• Lead change order pricing and claim preparation for active projects
• Maintain estimating software, templates, and historical project databases
• Forecast revenue pipeline and report bid win rates and backlog to Executive Leadership
• Mentor and develop estimating staff and identify training needs

Qualifications

Work Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field .
• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil, utility, water, or wastewater construction.
• 5+ years in a senior estimating leadership role .

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, lift stations, pipelines, utility infrastructure, and civil site work.
• Experience managing large, complex estimates and multi-discipline project scopes.
• Proven ability to lead bid reviews, develop pricing strategies, and manage estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, production rates, labor planning, equipment utilization, and subcontractor scopes.
• Experience with public owners, municipal utility districts, water authorities, and engineering consultants .
• Experience with alternative delivery methods including CMAR, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and CSP .
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project or Primavera P6, and BuildingConnected, SmartBid, or similar bid management platforms .
• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple pursuits in a collaborative environment.

What's in it for You

Financial Wellbeing

• Competitive pay with ongoing performance review and merit increase
• 401(k) with company match & Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Flexible spending account (Healthcare & Dependent care)

Health & Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (plan choice) - coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children
• Diabetes Management, Telehealth Coverage, Prescription Drug Plan, Pet Insurance, Weight Management Drug Discount
• Discounted Gym Membership Network
• Employee Assistance Program

Family & Lifestyle

• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

Planning for the Unexpected

• Short and long-term , life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment
• Voluntary life insurance, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity coverage
• Emergency Travel Assistance Program
• Group legal plan

Position may be subject to pre-employment screening, which may include background check and drug testing. Accessibility: If you need accommodation as part of the employment process, contact [e-mail]. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual requests regarding application status. Please log into your candidate profile for up-to-date information.

MasTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of , , , , , , , , , genetic information, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.