Mega Projects Estimator – Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants

Core & Main LP; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Core & Main LP is seeking a Mega Projects Estimator for Water/Wastewater treatment plants to develop accurate quantity takeoffs for complex infrastructure projects. You will support traditional bid work and design-build, contributing material, constructability, and cost insights to guide project development and ensure compliance with project specifications.

You will collaborate with sales, engineering, and design teams to support winning bid strategies, while ensuring timely, accurate quotations

Qualifications

• Requires strong estimating and cost-analysis capabilities.
• Experience with design-build and bid strategy.
• Ability to coordinate with engineering, sales, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Reviews construction plans, drawings, and specs to determine project requirements.
• Produces detailed material quantity takeoffs for critical infrastructure facilities and systems.
• Identifies materials and components meeting project design criteria.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Job description

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main's 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Job Summary

In the Mega Projects Estimator - Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants - Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) role, you are responsible for developing accurate and detailed quantity takeoffs for highly complex critical infrastructure projects. This role supports both traditional bid work and design-build delivery, contributing early-stage material, constructability, and cost insights to guide project development. This role ensures material selections, adhere to local, state, and federal regulations as determined in the project specifications. The role collaborates closely with sales, engineering, and design teams to support winning bid strategies and deliver exceptional customer value.

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities And Key Accountabilities

Project Evaluation & Takeoff Development

• Reviews and interprets construction plans, drawings, and specifications to determine project requirements.
• Produces detailed and accurate material quantity takeoffs for critical infrastructure facilities and systems.
• Identifies appropriate materials and specialty components required to meet project design criteria.

Design-Build Support

• Participates in design-build projects by evaluating material in early and late-stage design.
• Collaborate with contractors to identify alternative materials that maintain design intent while improving price competitiveness and delivery schedules.

Bid Strategy, Sales Support & Customer Engagement

• Collaborate with the sales team to develop competitive bid strategies.
• Assists in scope and ensures timely, accurate delivery of customer quotations.
• Conduct scope meetings with contractors to confirm alignment with project needs and expectations.
• Leads pre and post-takeoff calls to ensure complete and accurate knowledge transfer.
• Communicates with vendors to clarify product applications, specialty components, and material requirements.
• Works closely with the internal Pre-Bid team to establish a clear and accurate scope of work.
• Maintains strong communication across internal and external stakeholders to support project success.
• Works with contractors, sales and Pre-Bid team to recommend value-engineering options for bid projects.
• Communicate with design engineers and contractors to clarify unusual, complex, or specialty project elements through RFIs, email, or calls.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Coordinates and reviews the work of associate estimators and as a senior technical resource as needed.
• Provides ongoing training, mentoring, and continuing education support to estimating personnel.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, sales, and operations
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimation experience in water/wastewater treatment plant construction, or critical infrastructure projects
• Proven experience performing detailed material quantity takeoffs from construction plan sets
• Strong understanding of civil and mechanical infrastructure systems
• Experience working directly with engineering teams, contractors, and vendors
• Prior involvement in design-build, value engineering, or complex bid strategies strongly preferred
• Experience mentoring or reviewing the work of associate estimators is a plus

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• Typically requires BS/BA in related discipline.
• Generally 5-8 years of experience in a related field; certification is required in some areas or MS/MA and generally 3-5 years’ experience in a related field.
• Certification is required in some areas.