Estimator - Heavy Civil Construction - Solar

00001 Granite Construction Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Granite Construction Incorporated is seeking an Estimator II to independently develop substantial estimate scopes for heavy civil and energy-sector projects. You will analyze quantities, labor, materials, subcontractor pricing, and risk to build competitive bids, coordinating with operations for validation and handoffs.

The position is currently remote with plans to move to the Austin, Texas office. Travel to project sites and Granite locations may be required, and prior experience with heavy

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Two+ years estimating experience with significant component development.
• Experience interpreting plans, specs, bid documents, and technical data.
• Ability to develop quantities, costs, and documentation independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage substantial estimate scopes from start to bid.
• Analyze quantities, labor, materials, subcontractor pricing, and risk.
• Coordinate with operations to validate production and schedule.
• Support bid reviews and communicate risks and assumptions.
• Provide guidance to junior estimators and share best practices.

Skills

Estimating & analysis

Scope & risk management

Project coordination

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Equivalent combination of training and construction experience

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Autodesk Civil 3D

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Building a career at Granite may be the most valuable thing you could do... Find your dream job today, and be part of something great. Our most powerful partnership is the one we have with our employees. Our people are our most valued asset and the foundation of Granite’s century-old success. We’re building more than infrastructure; we are building your future.

General Summary

As an Estimator II at Granite, you'll independently develop and coordinate substantial estimate scopes for heavy civil and energy-sector construction projects. You'll analyze quantities, production, pricing, construction approach, subcontractor and supplier input, and risk to develop competitive, well-supported bids. This position is currently remote, with plans to transition to Granite's future Austin, Texas office. Occasional travel may be required for job walks, project site visits, bid and preconstruction activities, and company meetings at other Granite locations.

What You’ll Do:

• Estimate Development: Independently manage substantial estimate scopes from initial review through bid completion. Develop and review quantities, production assumptions, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor pricing, and supplier pricing. Build complete, traceable estimate structures and cost components. Use historical cost and production information to validate assumptions. Present assigned scopes, findings, and recommendations during estimate and bid reviews.
• Scope, Risk & Strategy: Analyze scope, site conditions, schedule requirements, production assumptions, and construction constraints. Evaluate means, methods, sequencing, equipment, labor strategy, and productivity. Analyze alternative construction approaches to improve cost, constructability, and competitiveness. Evaluate scope gaps, discrepancies, commercial considerations, and estimating risks. Develop assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, and risk considerations. Contribute to bid strategy and pricing recommendations.
• Pricing & Operations Coordination: Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor, supplier, and vendor pricing. Coordinate with operations and project teams to validate production, equipment, schedule, logistics, site conditions, and construction approach. Maintain complete, traceable estimate documentation. Participate actively in estimate, scope, risk, and bid reviews. Support estimate-to-operations handoffs by communicating scope, assumptions, risks, and key execution considerations.
• People & Continuous Improvement: Provide guidance to Estimator I and other developing estimating personnel. Share estimating practices, construction knowledge, cost information, and lessons learned. Incorporate bid and project feedback into future estimating assumptions and cost history. Demonstrate ownership of estimate quality, completeness, and competitiveness.

Travel & Work Location

This position is currently remote and is expected to transition to an Austin, Texas office-based position when Granite establishes the planned office. Occasional travel may be required for project site visits and job walks, bid and preconstruction activities, company meetings, and collaboration at other Granite offices. Candidates must be able to work effectively in a remote environment and collaborate with teams across multiple locations.

Education & Experience Required

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant technical training and construction experience. Two (2) or more years of construction estimating experience. Demonstrated experience independently developing significant estimate components, including quantity takeoffs, cost development, subcontractor/supplier pricing, and estimate documentation. Experience independently interpreting construction plans, specifications, bid documents, and technical information.

Preferred

Estimating experience involving heavy civil construction, earthwork/mass grading, access roads, crane or equipment pads, drainage, aggregate surfacing, underground utilities, concrete, or large-scale site development. Civil estimating experience supporting utility‑scale solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or substations. Direct energy‑sector experience is preferred, not required; comparable heavy civil, mass grading, and large‑scale site‑development experience is valued.

Working proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid for estimate development, pricing, and bid preparation. Working knowledge of Autodesk Civil 3D for reviewing civil design information and supporting quantity development. Experience analyzing subcontractor/supplier pricing, historical cost information, production rates, labor, and equipment assumptions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Construction Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of heavy civil means, methods, materials, equipment, sequencing, production, and field operations. Estimating & Analysis: Ability to independently develop and analyze substantial estimate scopes, quantities, costs, and production assumptions. Risk & Judgment: Ability to evaluate scope, execution, pricing, and estimating risks and develop recommendations. Technology & Data: Strong Microsoft Excel proficiency and working proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid and Autodesk Civil 3D. Communication & Collaboration: Ability to coordinate across estimating, operations, subcontractors, suppliers, and project teams and clearly present assumptions, risks, and recommendations. Ownership & Leadership: Ability to independently manage estimate workstreams and provide guidance to developing estimators.

What Success Looks Like

Develops accurate, competitive estimates with well‑supported quantities, costs, and assumptions. Understands how the work will be built and connects estimating decisions to field execution. Identifies risk and opportunity early and communicates clear recommendations. Analyzes alternatives to improve constructability, cost, and competitiveness. Owns substantial estimate workstreams and delivers complete, traceable results. Collaborate effectively while helping develop others.

Physical Demands

This position is performed primarily in a remote office environment and is expected to transition to an office environment in Austin, Texas. Occasional visits to active construction sites or other company locations may be required for job walks, preconstruction activities, or company meetings. The employee is regularly required to communicate; frequently required to sit, stand, and use a computer and other office equipment; and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and lift or move materials associated with normal office duties. When visiting active construction sites, the employee must work safely in typical construction‑site conditions and comply with applicable safety and personal protective equipment requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Requirements & Skills

Comply with and support Granite safety, quality, and environmental initiatives and requirements. Ability to abide by Granite's Code of Conduct on a daily basis. Valid driver's license and ability to drive. Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an estimating and operations team. Ability to protect confidential bid, pricing, subcontractor, supplier, client, and company information.

Our Benefits at a Glance

Building tomorrow starts with you, and Granite knows that you can excel only if we support you in and out of the workplace. That is why we offer a broad benefits package that includes paid holidays, sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending plans, as well as special programs for musculoskeletal health, mental wellness, and more. Salaried employees may choose from two PPO medical plans through Anthem BlueCross, including our most popular plan, for which 100% of the premium is paid by Granite for eligible employees and dependents. Employees can also opt into a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). As part of our investment in your future outside of the workplace, Granite provides a 100% match on the first 6% of eligible compensation that salaried employees defer into their 401(k) plans, which vests immediately. Benefits may vary for positions located outside of the continental United States. Base Salary Range: $91,944.00 - $137,916.00 Pay may vary based upon relevant experience, skills, location, and education among other factors.

About Granite Construction Incorporated

Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers.

Granite is a Drug‑Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For additional information on applicant/employee rights.