Lead Estimator - Utility Infrastructure Bids

Calqulate; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Career training

Job summary

Calqulate is seeking a Senior Estimator for utility infrastructure in San Diego County. You will lead a small estimating team, break down RFPs into costs, and stay hands-on with estimates, ensuring accurate pricing and defensible bids.

You will work closely with operations, join pre-bid activities, set subcontractor packages, and refine pricing databases for subs and suppliers to support project work.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years in project estimating with increasing responsibility.
• Hands-on experience estimating utility infrastructure construction; dry utility preferred.
• Bachelor's in engineering, construction management or finance preferred; equivalent field experience considered.
• Fluent in commercial estimating software such as B2W, Accubid or HCSS.
• Comfortable with Excel, MS Project and P6 scheduling.
• Able to read plans, specifications and bid documents and pull a clean scope.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of three to five estimators.
• Break down client RFPs and scopes into complete, defensible cost estimates.
• Run quantity take-offs and build project schedules from plans and specs.
• Join pre-bid meetings and site walks to catch what drawings do not show.
• Define subcontractor and supplier packages and test their pricing.
• Build and maintain a pricing database for subs and suppliers.
• Assemble bid proposal packages to client requirements and approvals.
• Maintain unit pricing that supports blanket contract work.
• Review final estimates with operations before quoting.
• Compare actual costs against budget to improve future estimates.
• Support project managers through hand-off, resource planning and change orders.

Skills

Team leadership

Estimating focus

Bid/proposal writing

Education

Engineering/CM/Finance degree

Tools

B2W

Accubid

HCSS

Excel

Job description

Calqulate is seeking a Senior Estimator for utility infrastructure in San Diego County. You will lead a small estimating team, break down RFPs into costs, and stay hands-on with estimates, ensuring accurate pricing and defensible bids.

You will work closely with operations, join pre-bid activities, set subcontractor packages, and refine pricing databases for subs and suppliers to support project work.