Preconstruction & Estimating Director – W/WW

Metric Geo; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off

Annual bonus

Job summary

Progressive Design-Build is seeking a Preconstruction & Estimating Director to own the water/wastewater preconstruction function across Northern and Southern California. Lead a capable estimating team, produce key estimates, and negotiate with clients and trade partners.

The role requires 10–12+ years in heavy civil/industrial construction, direct Progressive Design‑Build and CMAR experience, and strong GMP development knowledge.

Qualifications

• 10–12+ years of relevant heavy civil or industrial construction experience.
• Direct Progressive Design‑Build and CMAR experience is essential.
• Strong hard‑bid estimating experience across competitive and negotiated procurement.
• Proven ability to personally build estimates and lead GMP development.

Responsibilities

• Own the preconstruction and estimating function across water/wastewater, setting priorities and allocating resources.
• Lead key estimates and pursuits, including quantity take‑offs, pricing, subcontractor engagement and proposals.
• Drive Progressive Design‑Build and CMAR preconstruction, design-stage cost planning, VE and GMP development.
• Oversee hard‑bid estimates, bid reviews and submissions.
• Price self‑perform civil, concrete, piping and mechanical scopes with operations.
• Lead RFQ/RFP responses, client presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Guide go/no-go decisions based on opportunity fit and resources.
• Oversee schedules, budgets and procurement strategies, including long-lead equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Design-Build

CMAR

Hard-bid estimating

Client negotiations

BD pursuits

B2W Estimate

Education

Construction Management

Civil Engineering

Tools

B2W Estimate

HeavyBid

Job description

Progressive Design-Build | CMAR | Self-Perform Construction

Metric is working on behalf of a retained client to appoint a Preconstruction & Estimating Director to take ownership of its water/wastewater preconstruction function across Northern and Southern California.

Experience delivering Progressive Design-Build and CMAR pursuits is essential, alongside a strong grounding in hard-bid estimating.

This is a hands‑on leadership position. You will manage an established estimating team while personally producing estimates, leading pursuits, developing GMPs and negotiating with clients and trade partners.

The Opportunity

Our client is an established California‑based environmental and infrastructure contractor with more than 170 employees across California and Washington.

Its Heavy Industrial & Mechanical Construction division has grown from approximately $6M to $50M in annual revenue over the past five years, with a target of approximately $100M in new work secured annually.

The division self‑performs civil construction, structural concrete, structural steel, process piping, mechanical equipment installation, startup and commissioning. Projects generally range from $1M to $100M, serving public and private clients.

This newly created position will assume responsibility for the division’s water/wastewater preconstruction activities, from initial pursuit through award and handover to operations.

Your Responsibilities

• Own the preconstruction and estimating function across the water/wastewater group, setting priorities and allocating resources across pursuits.
• Personally lead key estimates and pursuits, including quantity take‑offs, pricing, subcontractor engagement and proposal preparation.
• Lead Progressive Design‑Build and CMAR preconstruction, including conceptual estimating, design‑stage cost planning, value engineering and GMP development and negotiation.
• Oversee and contribute directly to hard‑bid estimates, bid reviews and submissions.
• Price self‑perform civil, concrete, piping and mechanical scopes in coordination with operations.
• Lead RFQ/RFP responses, client presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Guide go/no‑go decisions based on opportunity fit, estimating capacity and operational resources.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability issues and commercial risks, establishing appropriate contingencies and qualifications.
• Oversee initial schedules, project budgets and procurement strategies, including long‑lead equipment packages.
• Own the handover to construction, ensuring Project Managers and Superintendents receive a complete basis of estimate, budget, schedule and risk register.
• Manage and develop a team comprising a Chief Estimator, two Senior Estimators, a Junior Estimating Manager and an Estimating Coordinator.

What We’re Looking For

• 10–12+ years of relevant heavy civil or industrial construction experience, with substantial water/wastewater expertise.
• Direct Progressive Design‑Build and CMAR experience—both are essential.
• Strong hard‑bid estimating experience and confidence working across competitive and negotiated procurement.
• Demonstrated ability to personally build estimates and lead GMP development.
• Strong knowledge of water/wastewater treatment construction and self‑perform labour, equipment and material pricing.
• Experience leading pursuits from qualification through award and operational handover.
• Proven estimating team leadership, combined with the willingness and ability to carry out detailed work yourself.
• Strong contract knowledge, commercial judgement and client negotiation skills.
• Proficiency with B2W Estimate, HeavyBid or a comparable estimating platform.
• A degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

DBIA certification, B2W Estimate experience and established California owner and engineering relationships would be advantageous.

Location & Package

The role is based on‑site in Costa Mesa, with occasional travel to Northern California offices and project sites.

• $200,000–$250,000 base salary, depending on experience.
• Annual performance‑based bonus.
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company contribution.
• Paid time off, sick leave and holidays.
• Ownership of an established preconstruction team and the opportunity to shape its growth across alternative delivery projects.