Project Manager/Estimator

Knife River Corporation; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Knife River Corporation, a leading construction materials producer and contractor, is seeking an experienced estimator and project manager for highway projects in Billings, MT. You will review plans, prepare bids, coordinate with owners, subcontractors, and suppliers, and help manage costs and schedules.

The role requires familiarity with asphalt, paving, and chip seal, along with strong communication skills and willingness to travel as needed to serve public and private clients.

Qualifications

• Estimating and/or project management experience in asphalt, paving, materials.
• Acumen for highway materials, construction specifications, and troubleshooting.
• Ability and willingness to travel for long periods of time.

Responsibilities

• Review proposal specifications, drawings, pre-bid meetings and visit project sites to determine scope of work required in preparing bid/estimate proposal.
• Determine labor, equipment and material requirements to complete project and use information to prepare bid/estimate proposal.
• Submit complete bid/estimate proposals to project owners, managers and/or general contractors in a timely and professional manner, provide any clarification on information submitted as needed.
• Provide current and potential customers/clients prompt professional service including design, planning and pricing assistance.

Skills

Estimating

Project Management

Highway construction

Education

BS Degree or Equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Requisition Number: PROJE002693

• Posted : July 17, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

BILLINGS, MT 59106, USA

Description

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it’s our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country, and we are a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are the key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and safely each day. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

Job Summary:
Estimating and managing public and private projects, completing bids, meeting and communicating with owners subcontractors and suppliers, preparing takeoffs, reviewing plans and specifications and scheduling. Assisting superintendents, coordination of subcontractors, preparing and reviewing billings, tracking costs and investigation of problems and troubleshooting.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Review proposal specifications, drawings, pre-bid meetings and visit project sites to determine scope of work required in preparing bid/estimate proposal.
2. Determine labor, equipment and material requirements to complete project and use information to prepare bid/estimate proposal.
3. Submit complete bid/estimate proposals to project owners, managers and/or general contractors in a timely and professional manner, provide any clarification on information submitted as needed.
4. Provide current and potential customers/clients prompt professional service including design, planning and pricing assistance.
5. Provide project administrative management of awarded contracts.
6. Coordinate with Senior Management and field leadership, establishment of project objectives, procedures, schedules and performance requirements.
7. Provide indirect or direct supervision of field crew members/foreman or superintendents.
8. Maintain documentation of quantities and value of work estimated/completed to support forecasting for future project performance.
9. Provide ongoing support to Construction/Operations for efficient and profitable execution of work including scheduling, procurement and change order/supplemental work processes
10. Monitor subcontractors work.
11. Work with Contract Administrator to review and process financial aspects of contracts (ie: billings, sub-contract payments, material payments, collections, etc.)
12. Manage project (responsible for all projects bid unless reassigned)
13. Troubleshoot and problem solve situations/problems (material quality, equipment operation/repair, etc.). Monitor and discuss production problems with co-workers and managers/supervisors
14. Ensure MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety and environmental regulation compliance.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.
Women, minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Estimating and/or Project Management experience in asphalt, paving, materials, and/or chipseal operations with a minimum of 2 years highway construction experience.
2. Acumen for highway materials, construction specifications, and troubleshooting.
3. Ability and willingness to travel for long periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications
1. BS Degree or Equivalent education/certification/ experience in related construction background.
2. HCSS bidding experience preferred
3. Fluency in Microsoft Office

Key Skills & Competencies
1. Knowledge and understanding of related production and placement practices and specifications for hot mix asphalt and/or chip seal.
2. Knowledge and understanding of Quality Control operations related to hot mix asphalt and/or chip seal.
3. Ability to build & maintain internal and external relationships with stakeholders.
4. Understanding of environmental and safety regulatory compliance requirements.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.
Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.