Estimator – Water & Wastewater Infrastructure (CA Public Works)

The Sterling Choice; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is partnering with a well-established contractor focusing on water/wastewater, sewer, pipelines and public works in California. This role puts you at the heart of how projects are won and priced, translating plans into executable bids across labor, equipment, materials and subs.

You will build detailed estimates from plans and specs, identify risks and opportunities, and collaborate with operations to ensure bids can be delivered.

Qualifications

• Solid background in heavy civil or utilities estimating.
• Experience with California public works.
• Ability to manage multiple bids without slips.
• Exposure to project management or field operations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build detailed estimates from plans and specs across labor, equipment, materials and subs.
• Price work and coordinate with operations to ensure bids are deliverable.
• Spot risks, gaps, and opportunities before they become problems.
• Collaborate with ops teams to align bids with execution capabilities.

Skills

Estimating

Heavy civil

Public works

Bid management

CA projects

Tools

HeavyBid

Job description

If you’ve been estimating real infrastructure work — pipelines, utilities, water/wastewater — and want to be somewhere your numbers actually matter, this is worth a look.

We’re partnered with a well-established, privately held contractor that self-performs its work. Strong backlog, solid reputation, and a team that actually delivers what they win.

This isn’t a back-office estimating role. You’ll be directly involved in how projects are won and set up for success.

What you’ll be doing is building detailed estimates from plans and specs, pricing work across labor, equipment, materials, and subs, and working closely with ops teams to make sure what’s bid can actually be delivered. You’ll also be spotting risks, gaps, and opportunities before they become problems.

The work sits in:

• Water / wastewater infrastructure
• Sewer, pipeline, and underground utilities
• Public works projects across California

They’re looking for someone who understands how work is actually built, not just priced. You’ll need a solid background in heavy civil or utilities estimating, experience with California public works, and the ability to manage multiple bids without things slipping.

Nice to have:

• Exposure to project management or field operations
• Experience with estimating software like HeavyBid

Why this role:

• Real ownership over your numbers
• Close alignment with ops and delivery
• Strong pipeline of work

If you want more visibility, more influence, and to be part of a team that builds what it wins — let’s talk.