Junior Estimator - Earthworks

Vaughn Construction; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaughn Construction, a Texas-based regional commercial contractor, is seeking a junior estimator. You will verify quantities, prepare detailed and conceptual estimates for new projects, and help develop competitive bids. The role emphasizes teamwork and hands-on learning in a fast-moving environment.

The position involves reviewing documents, pricing components with leading software, and maintaining strong relationships with subcontractors to ensure bid accuracy and coverage.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in construction, engineering, or related field is required or two years of equivalent experience.
• Construction internship as estimator, project engineer, or superintendent preferred.
• Experience with healthcare, higher education, and/or laboratory projects with a commercial general contractor is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reviews the construction documents to understand the scope of work.
• Quantifies and prices project components using On-Screen Takeoff, MC2 ICE, and CostOS.
• Documents questions to be clarified by the design team prior to bidding.
• Prepares for, and participates in, internal page flips and estimate reviews.
• Assists in final production of bids, proposals, or milestone preconstruction deliverables.
• Maintains and fosters good subcontractor relationships.
• Ensures good subcontractor participation before bid day.
• Obtains pricing from subcontractors and vendors and communicates to ensure scope coverage.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Strong verbal and writtencommunication

Attention to detail and deadlines

Education

Four-year degree in construction, engineering, or related field

Construction internship as estimator/project engineer/superintendent

Healthcare/higher education/laboratory project experience with a commercial GC

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Bluebeam Revu

On-Screen Takeoff

MC2 Ice

CostOS

Job description

About Us

Vaughn is a regional commercial construction company operating throughout Texas. We are focused on building higher education, healthcare, and research buildings for commercial clients. As a sophisticated construction manager, we utilize the latest technology (including drones, laser scanners, 3D modeling, and 3D printing) to plan and build high-quality, enduring facilities. Further, we treat all employees like family in a family-like environment where our people are proud to work.

Our family is committed to safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and work ethic. Vaughn’s leaders link our strategic priorities and resulting work activities to our core values, and we believe this drives excellence. Vaughn aims to retain and develop individuals aligned with our core values by providing life-changing opportunities.

OUR BIG WHY: We WOW our clients and provide life-changing opportunities for our people, while delivering our projects in a family atmosphere, where our people are proud to work.

Position Overview

Our junior estimators verify material quantities, prepare detailed cost estimates and conceptual estimates for new projects, develop competitive bids for new work, provide input on qualifications and assumptions and cost reduction ideas, assess market conditions with regard to labor and material availability, and build solid relationships with trade contractors to facilitate optimum bidding of projects. Junior estimators work in a team environment and gain valuable hands‑on experience as they begin their career as a construction professional.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Reviews the construction documents to understand the scope of work.
• Quantifies and prices project components/scopes using On‑Screen Takeoff, MC2 ICE, and CostOS software platforms.
• Documents questions to be clarified by the design team prior to bidding.
• Prepares for, and effectively participates in, internal page flips and estimate reviews.
• Assists in final production of bids, proposals, or milestone preconstruction deliverables.
• Maintains and fosters good subcontractor relationships.
• Ensures good subcontractor participation for all scopes, for which they are responsible, before bid day.
• Obtains pricing from subcontractors and vendors and effectively communicates with them to ensure scope coverage and estimate accuracy.
• Contributes to subcontractor minority participation goal achievement.

Education and Training

• Four‑year degree in construction, engineering, or related field or minimum two years of equivalent experience.
• Construction internship as an estimator, project engineer, or superintendent preferred.
• Experience with healthcare, higher education, and/or laboratory projects with a commercial general contractor preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and On‑Screen Takeoff.
• Developing proficiency with MC2 Ice and/or CostOS.