Estimator - Utility Infrastructures

Key People; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical plan options

Dental plan options

Vision plan options

AD&D coverage

Aflac

Job summary

Confidential Search in East San Diego County, CA is seeking a Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager to lead 3–5 estimators on underground utility and civil bids. This on-site role focuses on building production estimates, bid strategy, and competitive proposals for public agencies and major utilities.

You will manage a team, oversee cost models, and partner with Operations on hand-offs and risk management. Strong leadership and extensive estimations experience are required.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of estimating experience in underground utilities or heavy civil construction.
• Experience bidding public works and utility-owner projects with prevailing wage and DIR compliance.
• Experience leading and developing a team of estimators.
• Proficiency with listed estimating tools and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor and review a team of 3–5 estimators.
• Build production-based estimates for large underground utility and civil projects.
• Prepare competitive bids for public agencies and major utility owners.
• Analyze RFPs, scopes, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs.
• Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits.
• Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit pricing and maintain the pricing database.
• Review final estimates with Operations, obtain approval and submit bid packages.
• Compare actual costs to budgets and create cost models from history.
• Support project managers with hand-off and change orders.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Bid strategy

Team management

Advanced Excel

MS Project

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance/Construction Management

Tools

B2W

Accubid

HCSS HeavyBid

P6

MS Project

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.