Estimator

H. J. Russell & Company

Wellesley (MA)

On-site

USD 80,300 - 98,300

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vis

Company-Sponsored Life & AD&D

Flexible Spending & Health Savings

401(k) with Employer Matching

Disability Insurance

Job summary

H. J. Russell & Company in the Boston area is seeking an Estimator with 1-3 years of experience to develop accurate, competitive bids for hard-bid and CM-at-Risk projects. You will interpret drawings, perform quantity takeoffs, and coordinate with operations.

Join a growth-focused firm recognized for industry leadership and community impact; performance-based compensation and strong benefits included.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil/Construction Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
1–3 years estimating or preconstruction experience; internships/co-ops count.
Proficiency with DESTINI Estimator, BuildingConnected, On-Screen Takeoff, and Bluebeam; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

Estimate development: conceptual, schematic, DD, GMP/hard-bid estimates; develop scope narratives and assumptions.
Quantity takeoffs across divisions; organize by WBS/CSI with productivity and waste factors.
Trade partner engagement: build bid lists, issue invitations, field RFI/clarifications, obtain coverage.
Bid leveling and scope review: compare quotes, identify gaps/overlaps, ensure apples-to-apples pricing.
VE/Alternates: propose cost-saving options and constructability suggestions.
Pre-bid/pre-proposal support: attend site walks; track addenda; ensure submission compliance.
Data and reporting: maintain cost histories and assemblies; produce estimate summaries, variances, and risk registers.
Handoff and collaboration: support buyout and turnover to project teams; coordinate with scheduling and operations.

Skills

Clear communicator

Organized

Deadline-driven

Collaborative

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

DESTINI Estimator

BuildingConnected

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

Job description

About H. J. Russell

Established in 1952, H.J. Russell & Company is a vertically integrated firm specializing in construction, program management, and real estate development. Our vision is to be a catalyst for community and economic empowerment through our superior work in the real estate and construction industries. We are headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with offices in Boston, MA, Dallas, TX, and Savannah, GA.

About H. J. Russell

Summary

H.J. Russell & Company is seeking a driven Estimator (1-3 years’ experience) to develop accurate, competitive estimates and support hard-bid and CM-at-Risk pursuits. You’ll interpret drawings/specs, perform detailed quantity takeoffs, solicit and level trade partner proposals, and collaborate with operations to deliver complete, on-time bids.

Key Responsibilities

Estimate Development: Prepare conceptual, schematic, DD, and GMP/hard-bid estimates; build clear scope narratives and assumptions.
Quantity Takeoffs: Perform detailed takeoffs across divisions; organize by WBS/CSI with documented productivity and waste factors.
Trade Partner Engagement: Build bid lists, issue invitations through BuildingConnected, field RFI/clarifications, and obtain coverage.
Bid Leveling & Scope Review: Compare quotes, identify gaps/overlaps, and conduct scope reviews to ensure apples-to-apples pricing.
VE/Alternates: Propose cost-saving options, alternates, and constructability suggestions without compromising intent or quality.
Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Support: Attend pre-bid meetings/site walks; track addenda; ensure full compliance with submission requirements.
Data & Reporting: Maintain cost histories and assemblies; produce estimate summaries, variances, and risk registers for leadership review.
Handoff & Collaboration: Support buyout and turnover to project teams; coordinate with scheduling and operations on means/methods.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Construction Management, Civil/Construction Engineering, Architecture, or similar).
Experience: 1-3 years in estimating or closely related preconstruction role (internships/co-ops count).
Software Proficiency: DESTINI Estimator, BuildingConnected, On-Screen Takeoff, and Bluebeam; strong Excel skills (lookups, pivots).
Technical Skills: Ability to read/interpret drawings and specs; produce accurate takeoffs; understand unit pricing, labor/equipment, and general conditions.
Soft Skills: Clear communicator (written/oral), organized, collaborative, and deadline-driven with strong follow-through.

Nice to Have

Exposure to public hard-bid requirements, alternates/unit pricing, and form compliance.
Knowledge of local trade market pricing and subcontractor network.
Basic scheduling literacy (Milestone/MS Project/P6) and constructability awareness.

What You Bring

Passion, ambition, and a strong work ethic—ownership mindset, curiosity about cost drivers, and a commitment to accuracy and integrity.
Team-first attitude and professionalism with clients, designers, and trade partners.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, wall, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and review things as they are built.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Simply stated, we put people first. As part of our Mission Statement, we strive to earn the loyalty of our employees through a demonstrated commitment to their development and through rewarding exemplary performance. We take the time to get to know our employees personally, and together develop individualized plans for career advancement and fulfillment with Russell. Our goal is to provide career growth and development which allows employees to envision and desire a long-term career with our company.

Our culture is rooted in the Russell Fundamentals, a series of 25 characteristics that guide the behavior of our employees and include key tenants like Do the right thing, always; Embrace diversity; Show meaningful appreciation; Deliver results; and Keep things fun. Our intentional focus on creating an outstanding workplace experience has earned our firm numerous recognitions, including being named one of USA Today’s Top Workplaces in 2024 and earning awards for Cultural Excellence in the areas of Leadership, Innovation, Compensation and Benefits, and Purpose and Values. In a recent survey, 90% of our employees said that H.J. Russell motivates them to give their very best at work and 85% report feeling respected and supported in their roles.

At H. J. Russell & Company, we are committed to maintaining equitable and competitive compensation practices that support our mission to attract and retain top talent. The pay range for this position is $80,300 to $98,300 per year. The final offer will reflect the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, along with location-specific factors, in accordance with applicable state pay transparency laws.

In addition to our exceptional culture, we offer the following suite of benefits: