Lead Estimator – Underground Utilities (Bid & Team Lead)

Kingfisher Recruiting; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical and dental plans

Vision, life and AD&D

Aflac

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation/holidays/sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead an estimating group for underground utilities and heavy civil projects in East San Diego County. The role requires managing 3–5 estimators, building large-scale production estimates, and preparing bids for public agencies and utility owners.

You will analyze RFPs, coordinate bid strategy, and drive pricing databases while supporting project managers on hand-off and change orders. Office-based, on-site with a direct-hire arrangement.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction.
• Experience bidding public works and utility-owner projects with prevailing wage and DIR compliance.
• Experience leading a team of estimators.
• Proficiency with B2W, Accubid or HCSS (HCSS HeavyBid preferred).
• P6 and MS Project, plus strong Excel and MS Office.
• Sage 300/Timberline and/or Sage Paperless preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Able to commute daily to East San Diego County office.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of 3–5 estimators.
• Build production-based estimates for large underground utility and civil projects.
• Prepare competitive hard bids for public agencies and utility owners, and maintain blanket contracts and unit-price estimates.
• Analyze RFPs, scopes of work, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs and build bid schedules.
• Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits.
• Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit and level pricing, and maintain the pricing database.
• Review final estimates with Operations, obtain internal approval and submit bid packages.
• Compare actual and budgeted costs and build cost models from historical data.
• Support project managers with hand-off, resource planning, scheduling and change orders.

Skills

Estimating experience

Team leadership

Bid strategy

Excel

MS Project

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

B2W

Accubid

HCSS

P6

Sage 300/Timberline

Job description

Confidential is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead an estimating group for underground utilities and heavy civil projects in East San Diego County. The role requires managing 3–5 estimators, building large-scale production estimates, and preparing bids for public agencies and utility owners.

You will analyze RFPs, coordinate bid strategy, and drive pricing databases while supporting project managers on hand-off and change orders. Office-based, on-site with a direct-hire arrangement.