Lead Estimator

Digco Utility Construction LP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DIGCO, a Quanta Services company, seeks a Lead Estimator for high-voltage transmission line and substation projects in the Houston area. You will manage bid development, takeoffs, and pricing strategies, coordinating with operations and leadership to deliver competitive proposals.

The role requires 5+ years of experience in utility construction estimating, with strong skills in schedule tools and subcontractor pricing. You will work on-site with the NHPL team in North Houston.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience estimating high-voltage transmission line construction.
• Experience with 69 kV–765 kV plans; substation estimates preferred.
• Ability to develop quantity takeoffs from drawings and plans.
• Experience pricing lump-sum, unit-price, and time-and-materials bids.

Responsibilities

• Manage estimates from bid kickoff through proposal submission for high-voltage projects.
• Review bid documents, drawings, specifications, and contracts to define scope.
• Develop crew-based labor and equipment estimates using production rates.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor quotes to ensure coverage and pricing.
• Collaborate on bid schedules and construction sequencing to support proposals.

Skills

HV transmission estimating

Substation estimating

Bid development

Schedule coordination

Communication skills

Education

Construction Mgmt

Engineering

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

HCSS HeavyBid

B2W

Excel

Job description

About Us

DIGCO

DIGCO, a Quanta Services Inc (NYSE:PWR) company, based in Houston has been providing infrastructure construction and support services to the natural gas distribution market for over 20 years. Since its inception, DIGCO has seen Houston's utility demands grow along with the changing needs of our customers. Due to these changes, DIGCO has grown into a full-service contractor delivering construction, maintenance and repair of steel and poly gas lines. In addition, DIGCO provides a suite of field service activities to utilities for turn on/off, meter change outs and service calls.

Joining our team means being part of an organization that values drive and inclusion. We focus on career development and reward excellence, recognizing each team member's unique contributions. We're at the forefront of powering modern life. Discover how your skills and dedication can make a real difference to us.

About this Role

North Houston Pole Line (NHPL), a Quanta Services company, is seeking a Lead Estimator to develop accurate and competitive bids for high-voltage transmission line and substation construction projects. This role manages the estimating process from initial bid review through proposal submission, including quantity takeoffs, labor and equipment production assumptions, subcontractor and material pricing, and proposal preparation.

The Lead Estimator works closely with operations, project management, and leadership to develop construction approaches and pricing that reflect how NHPL executes work in the field. The ideal candidate understands utility construction, independently manages bid deadlines, and provides estimates that leadership can confidently approve and project teams can execute.

What You'll Do

• Manage estimates from bid kickoff through proposal submission for high-voltage transmission line and substation projects, including lump-sum, unit-price, time and materials, EPC, and design-build opportunities.
• Review bid documents, drawings, specifications, and contract terms to define scope, develop quantity takeoffs, and identify scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and commercial risks.
• Build crew-based labor and equipment estimates using production rates that account for site access, construction sequencing, outage windows, wire pulls, and other project conditions.
• Solicit, evaluate, and compare subcontractor and supplier quotes to confirm scope coverage, resolve discrepancies, and incorporate competitive pricing.
• Collaborate with operations and project management to establish construction methods, resource requirements, and bid schedules using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
• Assemble complete proposal packages, present estimates and supporting assumptions to leadership for approval, and communicate the estimate basis to project teams during turnover.
• Develop and maintain pricing libraries, production-rate history, and estimating records, incorporating feedback from completed projects to improve future bids.

What You'll Bring

• Five or more years of experience estimating high-voltage transmission line construction within the 69 kV to 765 kV range. Substation estimating experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing quantity takeoffs from transmission plan and profile drawings, structure lists, and applicable substation plans and one-line drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to develop crew-based labor and equipment estimates using construction production rates.
• Experience pricing lump-sum, unit-price, and time and materials work, including EPC and design-build proposals.
• Ability to interpret bid documents, technical specifications, and contract terms and identify scope gaps, qualifications, and project risks.
• Experience evaluating subcontractor and material supplier quotes and preparing complete proposals for leadership review.
• Working knowledge of Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project to support bid schedules and construction sequencing assumptions.
• Practical understanding of field construction, including access constraints, outage requirements, construction sequencing, and wire-pulling operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to independently manage competing deadlines, resolve scope questions early, and explain the assumptions supporting an estimate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with AEP, CenterPoint Energy, Entergy, LCRA, or CPS Energy bid processes and specifications.
• Experience using HCSS HeavyBid, B2W, or similar estimating software, along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Field experience as a lineman, foreman, or field engineer on transmission or substation projects.

What You'll Get

• As a Quanta Services employee, we offer a wide range of benefits to fit your needs.
• 401(k) with immediate matching and vesting
• Fully comprehensive benefits packages; Medical, Dental, Vision
• Your choice of PPO, HSA, FSA
• Short term an