Estimator - Utility Infrastructures

6 Degrees Search; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical plans

Vision & Life insurance

Aflac

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

6 Degrees Search seeks a Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager to lead its estimating team for underground utilities in East San Diego County, CA. This on-site, direct-hire role requires steering bid strategy and producing competitive estimates for large-scale utility infrastructure projects.

You will mentor 3–5 estimators, analyze bids, and collaborate with project teams to ensure successful hand-offs and execution.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction.
• Experience estimating large-scale utility infrastructure projects and bidding public works.
• Experience leading a team of estimators.
• Proficiency with estimating software and MS Office suite.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management preferred, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of 3–5 estimators.
• Build production-based estimates for large underground utility projects.
• Prepare competitive bids for public agencies and utility owners.
• Analyze RFPs, scopes, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs.
• Lead pre-bid meetings and bid strategy sessions.
• Define sub/supplier scopes and maintain pricing databases.
• Review final estimates with Operations and submit bid packages.
• Support project managers with hand-offs and change orders.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Team development

Bid strategy

Cost management

Advanced Excel

Planning & scheduling

Strong proposals

Commute considerations

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

B2W

Accubid

HCSS

P6

MS Project

Excel

Sage 300/Timberline

Sage Paperless

Job description

SENIOR ESTIMATOR / ESTIMATING MANAGER – UNDERGROUND UTILITIES

Confidential Search | East San Diego County, CA | On-Site | Direct Hire

About the Opportunity

An established Southern California underground utility and heavy civil contractor is looking for a Senior Estimator to run its estimating group. You will lead a team of 3–5 estimators and be the expert behind competitive bids on dry utility infrastructure (gas, electric, telecom and joint trench), much of it for major utility owners and public agencies. This is an office-based role: you own the numbers and the team, and the field crews build what you price.

What You'll Do

• Manage, mentor and review the work of a team of 3–5 estimators
• Build production-based estimates for large-scale underground utility and civil projects
• Prepare competitive hard bids for public agencies and major utility owners, and maintain blanket contract and unit-price estimates
• Analyze RFPs, scopes of work, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs and build bid schedules
• Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits
• Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit and level pricing, and maintain the pricing database
• Review final estimates with Operations, obtain internal approval and submit bid packages
• Compare actual and budgeted costs and build cost models from historical data
• Support project managers with hand-off, resource planning, scheduling and change orders

What You Bring

• 6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction
• Proven experience estimating large-scale utility infrastructure projects and bidding public works and utility-owner work, including prevailing wage and DIR compliance
• Experience leading and developing a team of estimators
• Proficiency with B2W, Accubid or HCSS (HCSS HeavyBid preferred)
• P6 and MS Project, plus strong Excel and the rest of MS Office
• Sage 300/Timberline and/or Sage Paperless preferred
• Strong skills in contract, cost and risk management, and clear written proposals
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management preferred, or equivalent experience
• Able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County

Compensation & Benefits

• $130,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
• Company vehicle
• Multiple medical and dental plan options
• Voluntary vision, life and AD&D coverage
• Aflac
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, holiday and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program

This is a confidential search. The employer is disclosed to qualified candidates after an initial conversation.