Head Estimator, Water & Wastewater Infrastructure

McKee Utility; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with company match

Flexible spending account

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Disability and life insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

McKee Utility Contractors in Dallas, TX seeks a Chief Estimator - Water / Wastewater Construction to lead the estimating department, oversee preconstruction, budgeting and bid activities for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and partner with executive leadership to deliver accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates.

The role focuses on treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, and related civil work, with relocation assistance and an executive-level compensation package,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil, utility, water, or wastewater construction.
• 5+ years in a senior estimating leadership role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all bid preparation, takeoffs, and cost estimates for new opportunities.
• Manage the estimating team and the pipeline of active and pending bids.
• Develop and maintain unit cost databases, labor rates, and crew productivity standards.
• Review final bid packages and assume responsibility for accuracy and competitiveness.
• Build relationships with prime contractors, project owners, and design engineers.
• Recommend bid/no-bid decisions in coordination Executive Leadership.
• Analyze post-award win/loss reasons and refine estimating methodologies.
• Coordinate with Operations on schedule, productivity assumptions, and constructability.
• Lead change order pricing and claim preparation for active projects.
• Maintain estimating software, templates, and historical project databases.
• Forecast revenue pipeline and report bid win rates and backlog to Executive Leadership.
• Mentor and develop estimating staff and identify training needs.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Bid management

Cost estimation

Team leadership

Strategic direction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project / Primavera P6

BuildingConnected

SmartBid

Job description

McKee Utility Contractors in Dallas, TX seeks a Chief Estimator - Water / Wastewater Construction to lead the estimating department, oversee preconstruction, budgeting and bid activities for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and partner with executive leadership to deliver accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates.

The role focuses on treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, and related civil work, with relocation assistance and an executive-level compensation package,