Mega Projects Estimator - Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants

Core & Main; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Core & Main in St. Louis seeks a Mega Projects Estimator for Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Critical Infrastructure Group. You will develop detailed quantity takeoffs and provide constructability and cost insights for complex projects.

Collaborating with sales, engineering, and design teams, you will support bid strategies, value engineering, and timely quotations to help win projects while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimation experience in water/wastewater or critical infrastructure.
• Experience producing detailed material quantity takeoffs from plan sets.
• Strong civil/mechanical infrastructure knowledge.
• Experience with design-build and value engineering is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed material quantity takeoffs for complex projects.
• Evaluate materials and contribute during early design stages.
• Support bid strategy, provide timely quotes, and RFIs responses.
• Mentor junior estimators and coordinate with internal teams.

Skills

Estimating

Quantity takeoffs

Bid strategy

Design-build

Mentoring

Education

BS in Construction Management or Engineering

CM/Engineering degree

Related discipline bachelor

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

The Mega Projects Estimator - Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants - Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) is responsible for developing accurate and detailed quantity takeoffs for highly complex critical infrastructure projects. This role supports both traditional bid work and designbuild delivery, contributing earlystage 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.

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.

DesignBuild Support

• Participates in designbuild projects by evaluating material in early and latestage 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 posttakeoff 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 PreBid 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 valueengineering 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 problemsolving skills
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, sales, and operations
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a fastpaced environment

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

• 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 designbuild, 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.

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 ... … & 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.