Lead Marine Construction Estimator — Bids & Proposals

Marine Construction Magazine; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Company paid Life, AD&D, and Long-Term

401(k) Plan with 4% match

Paid Vacation and generous PTO

Job summary

Marine Construction Magazine in Charleston seeks an experienced Estimator to lead bids for marine construction and diving operations valued up to $25 million. The role blends field insight with heavy civil estimating to deliver competitive, compliant proposals.

The successful candidate will develop cost estimates, coordinate with subcontractors, and manage pursuit strategy from plan through submission, ensuring timely handoffs to operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience.
• 7+ years of total experience in field engineering and logistics.
• 5+ years of experience in marine construction preferred.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of heavy civil and/or marine construction, specifically work in and around dams, bridges, docks, and wharves.
• Experience directing crews and managing equipment on projects preferred.
• Experience estimating public and private sector projects with values up to $20 million.

Responsibilities

• Identify, track, and manage bids and proposal opportunities.
• Read, interpret, and analyze bid documents, drawings, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Monitor bid sites and coordinate with primes for addenda, Q&A updates, scope changes, and bid extensions.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and develop detailed cost estimates using estimating software.
• Determine means, methods, crewing, equipment, and logistics for marine and heavy civil scopes.
• Account for regional wage requirements (union, prevailing wage), per diem, travel, taxes, bonds, and indirects.
• Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and vendor pricing.
• Complete bids, participate in final reviews, and support negotiation of awarded work.
• Lead technical bids and proposals from strategy through submission.
• Write and develop technical proposals, work plans, and marine means-and-methods narratives.
• Prepare or coordinate project schedules in support of the proposal.
• Lead pursuit strategy and manage proposal teams to deliver compliant, responsive submittals.
• Participate in oral presentations and interviews with clients.
• Attend site visits and pre-bid meetings to validate assumptions and site conditions.
• Transition successful bids to active job status with thorough, well-documented handoffs to operations.
• Develop and implement process improvements to maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
• Maintain clear, accessible notes and bid-folder documentation throughout the estimating process.

Skills

Estimating experience

Proposal writing

Team leadership

Bid management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Marine Construction Magazine in Charleston seeks an experienced Estimator to lead bids for marine construction and diving operations valued up to $25 million. The role blends field insight with heavy civil estimating to deliver competitive, compliant proposals.

The successful candidate will develop cost estimates, coordinate with subcontractors, and manage pursuit strategy from plan through submission, ensuring timely handoffs to operations.