Estimator - Civil

Vaughn Construction; Bryan (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaughn Construction, located in Bryan, Texas, is seeking a Junior Estimator. The successful candidate will verify material quantities and prepare detailed cost estimates for new projects. Key responsibilities include reviewing construction documents, maintaining subcontractor relationships, and contributing to bid preparations. Ideal candidates hold a four-year degree in construction, engineering, or related fields. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Bluebeam Revu, and On-Screen Takeoff is highly desirable. This role offers valuable hands-on experience in a supportive family-like environment.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in construction, engineering, or related field or minimum two years of equivalent experience.
• Construction internship as an estimator, project engineer, or superintendent preferred.
• Experience with healthcare, higher education, and/or laboratory projects preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review construction documents to understand the scope of work.
• Quantify and price project components using various software platforms.
• Document questions to be clarified by the design team before bidding.
• Assist in production of bids and proposals.
• Maintain good subcontractor relationships.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Attention to detail and deadlines

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

Basic math and measurement fundamentals

Education

Four-year degree in construction, engineering, or related field

Minimum two years of equivalent experience

Construction internship as an estimator

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

On-Screen Takeoff

MC2 ICE

CostOS

Job description

About Us

Vaughn is a regional commercial construction company operating throughout Texas. We are focused on building higher education, healthcare, and research buildings for commercial clients. As a sophisticated construction manager, we utilize the latest technology – including drones, laser scanners, 3D modeling, and 3D printing – to plan and build high‑quality, enduring facilities. We treat all employees like family in a family‑like environment where our people are proud to work.

Our family is committed to safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and work ethic. Our leaders link our strategic priorities and resulting work activities to our core values, and we believe this drives excellence. Vaughn aims to retain and develop individuals aligned with our core values by providing life‑changing opportunities.

Position Overview

Our junior estimators verify material quantities, prepare detailed cost estimates and conceptual estimates for new projects, develop competitive bids for new work, provide input on qualifications and assumptions, suggest cost‑reduction ideas, assess market conditions with regard to labor and material availability, and build solid relationships with trade contractors to facilitate optimum bidding of projects. Junior estimators work in a team environment and gain valuable hands‑on experience as they begin their career as a construction professional.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Review construction documents to understand the scope of work.
• Quantify and price project components/scopes using On‑Screen Takeoff, MC2 ICE, and CostOS software platforms.
• Document questions to be clarified by the design team prior to bidding.
• Prepare for and effectively participate in internal page flips and estimate reviews.
• Assist in final production of bids, proposals, or milestone preconstruction deliverables.
• Maintain and foster good subcontractor relationships.
• Ensure good subcontractor participation for all scopes, for which they are responsible, before bid day.
• Obtain pricing from subcontractors and vendors, and effectively communicate with them to ensure scope coverage and estimate accuracy.
• Contribute to subcontractor minority participation goal achievement.

Education and Training

• Four‑year degree in construction, engineering, or related field or minimum two years of equivalent experience.
• Construction internship as an estimator, project engineer, or superintendent preferred.
• Experience with healthcare, higher education, and/or laboratory projects with a commercial general contractor preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and On‑Screen Takeoff.
• Developing proficiency with MC2 ICE and/or CostOS.
• Basic math and measurement fundamentals (area, volume, unit conversions, earthwork quantities).
• Basic construction methods and materials knowledge (concrete, earthwork, utilities, paving).