Construction - Sr. Estimator

Cannon Building; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Supplemental insurance options

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick time

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Job summary

Cannon Building is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Preconstruction team in Southern California and lead estimates on complex commercial projects. You will analyze plans, perform quantity takeoffs, engage subs, and build accurate budgets for negotiated work.

You will collaborate with Preconstruction and Operations, lead buyouts, develop bid packages, identify value engineering opportunities, and mentor junior estimators while shaping pricing and project execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating or related commercial construction experience within a General Contractor environment.
• Experience independently leading complete construction estimates through multiple design phases.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, building systems, trade scopes, and project sequencing.
• Strong conceptual estimating and cost‑analysis skills.
• Proven ability to analyze subcontractor proposals, identify scope gaps, and lead bid leveling.
• Experience developing and communicating estimate assumptions, qualifications, risks, and cost variances.
• Ability to coordinate and direct Estimators and other team members.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate project costs, risks, and value opportunities clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of detailed estimates through multiple phases of design.
• Perform and direct detailed quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications.
• Develop quantity, unit-rate, and cost estimates for complex construction scopes.
• Establish estimate structures, bid packages, and estimating responsibilities.
• Review complete estimate packages for accuracy, scope coverage, and completeness.
• Analyze design documents, drawings, specifications, and bid packages to identify scope and cost risks.
• Lead variance analysis between estimate phases and identify the drivers behind cost changes.
• Develop and execute subcontractor and vendor outreach strategies to ensure strong market coverage.
• Lead subcontractor scope reviews, bid leveling, and budget reconciliation.
• Review inclusions, exclusions, qualifications, and scope gaps before estimates are issued.

Job description

Location: Carlsbad, CA | Southern California

Salary Range: $110,000–$160,000

Build the Numbers. Shape the Project. Lead the Estimate.

Cannon Building is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Preconstruction team and take the lead on estimating complex commercial construction projects throughout Southern California.

This is a hands‑on opportunity for a construction professional who understands that a great estimate is more than putting numbers to drawings. You’ll analyze plans and specifications, develop detailed quantity takeoffs, engage subcontractors and vendors, level bids, identify scope gaps, evaluate risk, and work closely with our Preconstruction and Operations teams to build accurate, competitive project budgets.

You’ll primarily support negotiated commercial projects across Cannon Building’s core markets, including Life Sciences, Healthcare, Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial construction.

What You'll Be Doing

Lead Estimates from Concept to Construction

• Lead the development of detailed estimates through multiple phases of design.
• Perform and direct detailed quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications.
• Develop quantity, unit-rate, and cost estimates for complex construction scopes.
• Establish estimate structures, bid packages, and estimating responsibilities.
• Review complete estimate packages for accuracy, scope coverage, and completeness.
• Analyze design documents, drawings, specifications, and bid packages to identify scope and cost risks.
• Lead variance analysis between estimate phases and identify the drivers behind cost changes.
• Develop and execute subcontractor and vendor outreach strategies to ensure strong market coverage.
• Lead subcontractor scope reviews, bid leveling, and budget reconciliation.
• Review inclusions, exclusions, qualifications, and scope gaps before estimates are issued.

Own the Preconstruction Process

• Lead buyout and lump-sum bid pursuits.
• Develop bid instructions, scope requirements, and bid package documentation.
• Identify value engineering and value‑management opportunities.
• Develop cost comparisons, A3s, and other analyses to support project value.
• Lead estimate reconciliation with clients, design teams, and third‑party estimators.
• Develop and maintain cost models throughout design development.
• Provide ongoing cost feedback as the design progresses.
• Evaluate design options for cost, constructability, procurement, and overall value.
• Work with Operations to incorporate schedule, logistics, phasing, staffing, general conditions, and project‑specific requirements into the estimate.
• Monitor Southern California labor trends, material pricing, escalation, and market conditions.

Collaborate with Construction Teams

You won't be estimating in a silo.

You'll work closely with Preconstruction Managers, Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, Design Managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure the estimate reflects how the project will actually be built.

You'll help identify constructability concerns, project risks, logistics requirements, and opportunities before they become problems in the field.

• Direct and coordinate Estimators and other team members assigned to projects.
• Lead estimate kickoff meetings, pre‑bid meetings, scope reviews, and estimating discussions.
• Present estimate information and cost analysis during internal and client‑facing reviews.
• Clearly communicate project costs, risks, assumptions, scope gaps, market impacts, and variances.
• Mentor and support the development of Estimators and junior preconstruction staff.
• Contribute to the continued improvement of Cannon Building’s estimating processes and best practices.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who knows construction—not just estimating software.

The ideal candidate brings:

• 5+ years of estimating or related commercial construction experience within a General Contractor environment.
• Experience independently leading complete construction estimates through multiple design phases.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, building systems, trade scopes, and project sequencing.
• Strong conceptual estimating and cost‑analysis skills.
• Proven ability to analyze subcontractor proposals, identify scope gaps, and lead bid leveling.
• Experience developing and communicating estimate assumptions, qualifications, risks, and cost variances.
• Ability to coordinate and direct Estimators and other team members.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate project costs, risks, and value opportunities clearly.

Education

A Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field is preferred.

Construction Software Experience

Experience with the following is preferred:

• OST
• Procore
• PlanSwift
• Sage
• Microsoft Excel
• Similar estimating and construction software

Why Cannon Building?

Cannon Building is a family‑owned general contractor celebrating 30 years in business, specializing in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Commercial/Institutional, and Industrial construction.

Our projects require experienced construction professionals who can think critically, collaborate with the field, and take ownership of their work. We foster a culture centered around teamwork, growth, leadership, creativity, and accountability.

If you're an estimator who wants to have a meaningful role in how projects are priced, planned, and ultimately built, we'd like to hear from you.

$110,000–$160,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Cannon Building offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 401(k) with company match
• Medical insurance
• Dental and vision coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Supplemental insurance options
• Paid holidays
• Vacation and sick time
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Ready to Build What's Next?

If you have the construction knowledge, estimating experience, and leadership skills to take ownership of complex projects, we want to meet you.