Cost Estimator

Total Success; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

401(k) program with company match

Medical, dental, vision, and Rx

Profit-sharing opportunity

Growth opportunities with senior领导

Job summary

Total Success in Houston seeks a Cost Estimator to support large-scale marine construction and infrastructure bids. The role involves planning, pricing, and execution strategy for future projects, with exposure to leadership and cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will develop cost estimates, review technical documents, and present bid details, collaborating with project management, operations, and engineering. This is a hybrid role with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience developing cost estimates for complex construction, civil, marine, or large-scale projects.
• Experience bidding projects valued at $25M+ is strongly preferred.
• Ability to read plans, specs, drawings, and technical documents.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost estimates for large-scale hard bid projects.
• Review plans, specifications, drawings, and related bid documents.
• Identify key requirements, quantities, risks, scope details, and cost drivers.
• Build execution plans to support accurate pricing and bid strategy.
• Prepare summaries, estimate materials, and supporting documentation for internal review.
• Create overview drawings and visuals to support bid discussions.
• Present estimates and bid details to leadership.
• Collaborate with project management, operations, engineering, and support teams.
• Analyze labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and other cost components.
• Monitor costs, budgets, and estimate data as work progresses.

Skills

Estimating

Plan/Drawings analysis

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Equivalent work experience

Job description

About the Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Cost Estimator to support large-scale marine construction and infrastructure projects. This role plays a key part in the planning, pricing, and execution strategy behind future project bids.

This is a strong opportunity for someone with a background in estimating, engineering, construction management, or complex project cost analysis who enjoys working with technical teams, reviewing project documents, building accurate estimates, and presenting bid information to leadership.

The position offers exposure to large, high-value projects, collaboration with experienced technical professionals, and visibility across estimating, operations, project management, and executive leadership.

What You'll Do

• Develop detailed cost estimates for large-scale hard bid projects
• Review project plans, specifications, drawings, and related bid documents
• Identify key project requirements, risks, quantities, scope details, and cost drivers
• Build execution plans that support accurate project pricing and bid strategy
• Prepare clear summaries, estimate materials, and supporting documentation for internal review
• Create concise overview drawings and visuals to support bid discussions and presentations
• Present project estimates, assumptions, and bid details during review meetings with leadership
• Partner with project management, operations, engineering, and support departments throughout the estimating process
• Analyze production assumptions, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor input, and other cost components
• Support project teams during execution by providing estimating insight and cost-related guidance
• Monitor and update project costs, production, budgets, and estimate information as work progresses
• Manage multiple estimating deadlines, project priorities, and bid timelines simultaneously
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to improve estimate accuracy and project planning
• Perform additional estimating, project support, and reporting duties as needed

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent relevant work experience may be considered
• Experience developing cost estimates for complex construction, civil, marine, infrastructure, dredging, heavy civil, or large-scale project work
• Experience estimating or bidding projects valued at $25 million or more strongly preferred
• Strong ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, drawings, and technical documents
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to summarize complex project information clearly and accurately
• Comfortable presenting estimates and project details to internal stakeholders and leadership
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with estimating, operations, project management, engineering, and support teams
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to work in a deadline-driven bid environment
• Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Performance incentive opportunity
• 401(k) program with company match
• Profit-sharing contribution opportunity based on company performance
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Life and disability insurance plans
• Hybrid work schedule
• Business casual work environmentGrowth opportunity with exposure to large-scale projects and senior leadership

Why This Role Stands Out

This is a strong opportunity for an estimator who wants to be involved early in the project lifecycle and contribute directly to bid strategy, project planning, and cost development. The role offers high visibility, challenging project work, and the ability to collaborate with experienced professionals across technical and operational teams.