Estimator

378 Caliagua, Inc.; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with matching

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Annual bonus potential

Job summary

Caliagua, Inc., a regional General Contractor serving water districts and public agencies in Southern California, seeks an Estimator to prepare complete, competitive estimates from concept through hard-bid submissions.

You will develop quantity takeoffs, pricing from assemblies, and analyze subcontractor bids while collaborating with senior estimators, project managers, and field operations to improve bid strategy and project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years in construction estimating with public works or water infrastructure preferred.
• Experience with heavy civil projects and water facilities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare complete project estimates for hard-bid and design-build pursuits.
• Review drawings and specs, attend pre-bid/site walks for scope.
• Develop quantity takeoffs and material quantities; build wage and overheads.
• Coordinate with vendors and subs to gather quotes and ensure bid competitiveness.
• Contribute to bid strategy with constructability input and risk analysis.

Skills

Estimating

Bid analysis

Reading drawings

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

WinEstimator

Job description

Caliagua, Inc., an Azuria Water Solutions company, is a regional General Contractor serving water districts, municipalities, public agencies, and private industry throughout Southern California. Since 1978, Caliagua has been recognized for consistently building high-quality water infrastructure projects that deliver potable and irrigable water to one of the largest and most diverse populations in the nation. Our portfolio includes water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment plants, pumping stations, sewage lift stations, aqueducts, PFAS treatment facilities, and related heavy civil work.

We are currently seeking an Estimator who will be responsible for preparing complete, accurate, and competitive estimates for public works and private water infrastructure projects, from conceptual budgets through hard-bid submissions. Working closely with senior estimators, project managers, and field operations, the Estimator develops quantity takeoffs, builds cost estimates from assemblies and production rates, solicits and analyzes subcontractor and vendor pricing, and supports bid strategy through constructability and means‑and‑methods input.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and/or coordinate full project estimates, providing complete conceptual and final estimating input for hard-bid and design-build pursuits.
• Review proposal specifications, drawings, and contracts, and attend pre-bid meetings and site walks to determine scope of work and required contents of the estimate.
• Perform accurate and complete quantity takeoffs in Bluebeam Revu and develop detailed material takeoffs for procurement of bulk materials.
• Build estimates in WinEstimator using company assemblies, crew compositions, and production rates; develop wage rate build-ups and apply company cost structure (overhead, G&A, insurance, bonds, etc.).
• Prepare scope and bid package breakdowns for subcontractor and vendor quotes; prepare subcontract bid analyses for scope, cost, and price.
• Communicate with owners, subcontractors, and public and private entities to ensure competitiveness; monitor client addenda and advise the estimating team of changes during the bid period, pricing addenda as necessary.
• Analyze alternative solutions and construction methods to increase bid competitiveness; participate in and/or lead means‑and‑methods discussions, driving creative thinking and innovative ideas that increase our bid win rate.
• Understand construction means, methods, and sequencing; provide constructability insights, risk identification, and contingency planning.
• Use existing cost history as a check against completed estimates and participate in post‑bid reviews and feedback loops.
• Participate in and/or lead design‑build preconstruction services to ensure high‑quality, competitive estimates and schedules.
• Communicate estimate and bid information to field operations at pre‑construction meetings to ensure understanding of project scope and critical means and methods.
• Conduct work requiring independent evaluation, selection, adaptation, and modification of standard estimating techniques, procedures, and criteria, and recognize how project actions and assumptions impact the estimate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration (or equivalent combination of education and field experience).
• 2+ years of relevant construction experience, including at least 1 year of purchasing management or procurement experience, with hands‑on field exposure to a construction trade (civil, mechanical, or utility).
• Heavy civil experience, particularly in water resources, pump stations, or treatment facilities preferred.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam Revu (or comparable on‑screen takeoff software) and familiarity with WinEstimator (WinEst) or similar assembly‑based estimating systems.
• Experience building and maintaining assembly libraries, custom Bluebeam tool sets, and cost databases; strong ability to analyze subcontractor and supplier proposals for accuracy and completeness preferred.
• Working knowledge of public works bidding and contracting (plans, specifications, addenda, bonding, insurance, prevailing wage).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications accurately; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Well‑developed technical writing skills for bid narratives, clarifications, and preconstruction proposals.
• Strong attention to detail, quantitative analysis, and organizational skills, with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple bids and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment, working independently and as part of a team.

We offer a starting salary of $90,000 - $120,000 DOE with Career Growth Opportunities and a Full Benefits Package including Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Annual Bonus Potential, Matching 401k, Tuition Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more.

Azuria is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Azuria is firmly bound. Azuria will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with Azuria on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non‑disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA compliant – priority referral Protected Veterans requested Azuria Water Solutions and portfolio of trusted brands are the leading providers of technology‑enabled solutions for the water industry.

Since 1971, the company has remained at the forefront of sustainable, cost-effective products and technologies to address aging water pipeline infrastructure.

Learn more at Azuria.com.