Project Estimator

Placement Club; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Placement Club is seeking a Project Estimator/Engineer to support a large Bridge Retrofit Project. The role blends field construction experience with project-based estimating, cost development, and commercial matters on an active infrastructure project.

The ideal candidate has prior field or project-engineering experience in heavy civil construction, with the ability to read drawings and develop cost implications of changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Experience as Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Office Engineer, Estimator, or similar in heavy civil construction.
• Bridge/structural or transportation project experience preferred.
• Ability to read drawings, specs, contracts, and technical docs.
• Experience with quantity takeoffs and cost estimates.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed estimates for change orders, extra work, and changed conditions.
• Review drawings, field conditions, RFIs, and design changes for cost/schedule impact.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and cost estimation for labor, equipment, materials, and subs.
• Collaborate with project team to understand scope and cost implications of changes.
• Assist with change-order pricing and cost backup documentation.

Skills

Field construction experience

Estimating workflow

Change orders

Cost development

Cost analysis

Reading drawings/specs

Labor/equipment cost breakdown

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

HCSS

HeavyBid

PlanSwift/PlanSoft

ShareFile

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

We are a leading heavy civil contractor delivering high-profile transportation and infrastructure projects across the United States. Our expertise includes complex structural work, bridge retrofits, transit systems, and large-scale public infrastructure. We are currently advancing a large Bridge Retrofit Project, a technically demanding and nationally significant effort to enhance the structural resilience of one of the world’s most iconic bridges.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Project Estimator / Engineer to support a large Bridge Retrofit Project. This is not a conventional, full-time estimating position focused on bidding new work. Instead, we are looking for an engineer with a strong understanding of field construction who can apply that experience to project-based estimating, change orders, cost development, and other commercial matters.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience as a Field Engineer, Project Engineer, or similar project-based engineering professional on heavy civil, bridge, transportation, or infrastructure projects. Candidates may already have transitioned into estimating, or they may be interested in moving from project engineering into an estimating and commercial-focused role.

This individual will work closely with the project team to develop estimates for change orders, changed conditions, additional work, and other project-specific commercial matters. Because the role is embedded within an active construction project, the successful candidate should understand how work is actually built in the field—not simply how to price it from bid documents.Over time, this position could provide a pathway into a more traditional estimating role.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop detailed estimates and cost analyses for change orders, extra work, changed conditions, and other project-based commercial matters
• Review drawings, specifications, field conditions, RFIs, design changes, and other project documentation to determine cost and schedule impacts
• Perform accurate quantity takeoffs and quantity surveys
• Develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and production-based cost estimates
• Apply practical knowledge of construction means, methods, sequencing, productivity, and field operations when developing estimates
• Work closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, field personnel, and commercial/project controls staff to understand the scope and cost implications of changes
• Assist with preparation and documentation of change-order pricing and supporting cost information
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers as required
• Review subcontractor scopes and pricing for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project requirements
• Assist with preliminary cost estimates, budgets, and schedules
• Analyze drawings and project documents to identify scope, quantities, constructability considerations, and potential cost impacts
• Maintain organized estimating documentation, cost backup, pricing information, and project records
• Support negotiations and commercial discussions by providing clear, well-supported cost analyses
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing, delivery, and quality
• Provide additional estimating and commercial support to the project team as needs arise

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred
• Prior experience as a Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Office Engineer, Estimator, or similar position within heavy civil construction
• Strong preference for candidates with hands-on project experience involving bridges, structures, transportation, infrastructure, or other complex heavy civil construction
• Working knowledge of construction means and methods and the ability to understand how work will be performed in the field
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical documents
• Experience performing quantity takeoffs and developing construction cost estimates
• Exposure to change orders, cost proposals, project controls, subcontractor pricing, or commercial management is highly desirable
• Ability to break down construction activities into labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and production components
• Strong analytical skills with an engineering-oriented approach to problem solving
• Excellent communication, organization, documentation, and follow-up skills
• Comfortable working collaboratively with both field and project management teams
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced project environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Experience with HCSS, HeavyBid, PlanSwift/PlanSoft, or similar heavy civil estimating and construction management software is preferred
• Familiarity with ShareFile, SharePoint, and organized project/estimating file management is beneficial