Earthwork Project Manager / Chief Estimator

AMBSIMS & Associates Corp; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Truck allowance

Job summary

AMBSIMS & Associates Corp is seeking a Project Manager / Estimator for heavy civil earthwork in West Houston, TX. The role spans from initial estimate through bid, construction, and closeout, with ownership of cost control, scheduling, and client coordination.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in heavy civil estimating or PM, with experience on $2M+ earthwork. Strong reading of plans and diagrams, and familiarity with HCSS, Bluebeam, Excel, and AGTEK are preferred.

Qualifications

• Heavy civil estimating and/or project management experience (3+ years preferred; 2+ years minimum).
• Experience with earthwork projects valued at $2M+.
• Read and interpret civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and construction documents.
• Knowledge of heavy civil equipment, production rates, labor, and sequencing.
• Experience with estimating software: HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, AGTEK.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bids for earthwork and heavy civil projects valued at $2M+.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for excavation, grading, cut/fill, soil stabilization, drainage, materials, equipment, and labor.
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical information, and bid documents to determine project scope.
• Develop production rates, equipment requirements, crews, schedules, and project costs.
• Solicit, review, and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal development, negotiations, and project handoffs.
• Manage awarded projects from preconstruction through completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, cost forecasts, and production goals.
• Monitor job costs, productivity, quantities, and overall project profitability.
• Coordinate with field leadership, owners, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, purchase orders, subcontract agreements, and project documentation.
• Identify project risks and opportunities while proactively addressing cost or schedule issues.
• Visit job sites regularly and work closely with field teams to ensure estimates and production assumptions align with actual conditions.
• Maintain strong communication between estimating, operations, field personnel, and company leadership.

Skills

Project management

Estimating

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Bluebeam

Excel

AGTEK

Job description

Job Title: Project Manager / Estimator - Heavy Civil Earthwork | Experience: 3+ years | Project Size: $2M+ | Employment Type: Full time | Work Model: On site | Seniority Level: Associate | Location: West Houston, TX, USA | Recruit From: Local, within commutable distance

About Us

Our client, an established heavy civil contractor, is seeking a Project Manager / Estimator with a strong background in earthwork and site development. This is a hands-on role for someone who can take ownership of a project from the initial estimate and bid through construction, financial management, and closeout.

The ideal candidate has experience estimating and managing $2M+ earthwork projects involving mass excavation, grading, site development, drainage, soil stabilization, and related heavy civil scopes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bids for earthwork and heavy civil projects valued at $2M+.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for excavation, grading, cut/fill, soil stabilization, drainage, materials, equipment, and labor.
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical information, and bid documents to determine project scope.
• Develop production rates, equipment requirements, crews, schedules, and project costs.
• Solicit, review, and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal development, negotiations, and project handoffs.
• Manage awarded projects from preconstruction through completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, cost forecasts, and production goals.
• Monitor job costs, productivity, quantities, and overall project profitability.
• Coordinate with field leadership, owners, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, purchase orders, subcontract agreements, and project documentation.
• Identify project risks and opportunities while proactively addressing cost or schedule issues.
• Visit job sites regularly and work closely with field teams to ensure estimates and production assumptions align with actual conditions.
• Maintain strong communication between estimating, operations, field personnel, and company leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Heavy civil estimating and/or project management experience (3+ years preferred; 2+ years minimum).
• Demonstrated experience with earthwork projects valued at $2M or greater.
• Strong understanding of mass excavation, grading, cut/fill, site development, soil stabilization, and drainage.
• Experience taking a project from estimate through execution and closeout is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and construction documents.
• Strong knowledge of heavy civil equipment, production rates, labor requirements, and construction sequencing.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, AGTEK, or similar estimating/takeoff software preferred.
• Strong cost-management and project financial skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred, but equivalent heavy civil experience will be considered.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND

• Experience with $2M+ earthwork/sitework projects.
• Background with a self-performing heavy civil or earthwork contractor.
• Experience with mass grading, excavation, detention/retention, drainage, underground scopes, and soil stabilization.
• Strong understanding of hard-bid estimating and field production.
• Someone equally comfortable building the estimate and managing the project after award.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off.
• Truck allowance.
• Additional incentives and benefits based on experience and company structure.