Head Estimator

AlphaX; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Stable organization with long-standing relationships

Leadership visibility in bid strategy

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Head Estimator to lead the estimating function for public agency projects in California. This role involves evaluating bid documents, driving site walks for accurate estimates, and ensuring collaboration with project management for realistic cost assessments. Candidates should have substantial experience in estimating underground utilities, familiarity with California public works contracting, and a proven track record in delivering projects within budget. Competitive salary based on experience is offered.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience estimating underground utilities and general engineering work.
• Ability to read and interpret civil, structural, and utility plans.
• A track record of winning work and delivering projects close to budget.
• Ability to read and interpret civil, structural, and utility plans with precision.
• Familiarity with estimating software and Excel-based takeoff workflows.
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to work closely with field operations to ground estimates in reality, not just paper.
• A track record of winning work — and delivering projects that come in close to budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full estimating function across public agency projects.
• Evaluate bid documents to develop accurate cost estimates.
• Collaborate with project management to ensure realistic estimates.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for estimating on multi-year on-call contracts and competitive public bids with cities, counties, and water districts.
• Collaborate with operations and project management leadership to ensure estimates reflect realistic field conditions, crew productivity, and material costs.
• Build and maintain a library of unit costs, historical data, and subcontractor relationships that continuously improve estimating accuracy.
• Identify risk, flag scope gaps, and provide leadership with the information needed to make go/no-go decisions with confidence.

Skills

Estimating underground utilities

General engineering experience

California public works contracting

Collaborative mindset

Excel

Tools

Estimating software

Excel

Job description

We're looking for a Head Estimator who brings serious underground utilities and general engineering experience, a deep familiarity with California's public works landscape, and the instincts to price complex work accurately in a competitive market. If you've spent your career in California — building expertise on public agency work — this role is built for someone like you.

What You'll Own

• Lead the full estimating function, from bid strategy to final submission, across public agency projects including water, sewer, storm drain, and general underground infrastructure
• Evaluate bid documents, plans, and specifications to develop accurate, competitive cost estimates for public works projects
• Drive pre-bid site walks, subcontractor and supplier outreach, and scope clarification to build complete, defensible estimates
• Serve as the primary point of contact for estimating on multi-year on-call contracts and competitive public bids with cities, counties, and water districts
• Collaborate with operations and project management leadership to ensure estimates reflect realistic field conditions, crew productivity, and material costs
• Build and maintain a library of unit costs, historical data, and subcontractor relationships that continuously improve estimating accuracy
• Identify risk, flag scope gaps, and provide leadership with the information needed to make go/no-go decisions with confidence

Requirements

• Substantial experience estimating underground utilities and general engineering work — water, sewer, storm drain, vaults, conduit, and related infrastructure
• A career built in California, with working knowledge of California public works contracting, prevailing wage requirements, and public agency bid procedures
• Strong preference for candidates with public works estimating experience; public agency contract work should represent a significant portion of your background
• Ability to read and interpret civil, structural, and utility plans with precision
• Familiarity with estimating software and Excel-based takeoff workflows
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to work closely with field operations to ground estimates in reality, not just paper
• A track record of winning work — and delivering projects that come in close to budget

Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience (to be disclosed to qualified candidates)
• Tenured, financially stable organization with long-standing public agency relationships and a consistent pipeline of contracted work
• Leadership-level visibility and meaningful influence over bid strategy and business development
• Stable, owner-led culture where decisions get made quickly and good work is recognized