Senior Civil Estimator

Hatched Recruitment Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hatched Recruitment Group invites an experienced Estimator to join our Houston civil team supporting water, wastewater, and heavy civil projects across the South. You will own complex estimates and help develop competitive bids for WWTPs, yard piping, utilities, and related scopes.

Ideal candidates are analytical, commercially minded, and able to work with operations, subcontractors, vendors, and project teams to build accurate bids and value-engineering opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of estimating experience within heavy civil, water/wastewater, or related infrastructure construction.
• Strong understanding of civil construction methods, means, and cost drivers.
• Experience estimating WWTP, utilities, yard piping, site development, or similar projects.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing plans, specifications, geotechnical information, and bid documents to establish project scope and risks.
• Performing quantity takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general condition costs.
• Soliciting and evaluating subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits to understand existing conditions and constructability.
• Analysing RFPs and identify quality bidding opportunities.
• Developing project narratives and present estimates for final review.
• Working closely with operations to validate production rates, construction methods, and cost assumptions.
• Identifying value-engineering opportunities and potential cost savings.
• Maintaining cost history and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.
• Support the development and mentoring of junior estimating team members.

Skills

Heavy civil estimating

Excel proficiency

Pricing & cost modeling

Subcontractor collaboration

Risk analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

PlanSwift

Bluebeam

Primavera P6

Procore

Job description

A well-established, employee-owned civil contractor is looking for an experienced Estimator to join its Houston team, supporting major water, wastewater, and heavy civil construction projects across the South.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of complex estimates and play a significant role in developing competitive bids for water and wastewater treatment plants, yard piping, underground utilities, roadway, and related civil/structural scopes.

The role would suit an analytical, commercially minded estimator who enjoys understanding how projects will actually be built and working closely with operations, subcontractors, vendors, and project teams to develop accurate and competitive bids.

What You'll Get to Expand Your Experience In

Estimating major water and wastewater treatment plant projects

• Developing bids across civil, structural, underground utility, and process-related scopes
• Evaluating project risks, production rates, constructability, and cost drivers
• Working alongside experienced project managers, superintendents, and operations teams
• Building relationships with major subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors
• Developing value-engineering opportunities and alternative construction approaches
• Using historical cost data and lessons learned to continually improve estimating accuracy
• Supporting and mentoring junior estimators and estimating staff
• Gaining further exposure to public and private infrastructure projects across the South.

What You'll Be Doing

Preparing detailed estimates for WWTP, water infrastructure, yard piping, utilities, concrete, and related civil/structural work

• Reviewing plans, specifications, geotechnical information, and bid documents to establish project scope and risks
• Performing quantity takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general condition costs
• Soliciting and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits to understand existing conditions and constructability
• Analysing RFPs and identify quality bidding opportunities
• Developing project narratives and present estimates for final review
• Working closely with operations to validate production rates, construction methods, and cost assumptions
• Identifying value-engineering opportunities and potential cost savings
• Maintaining cost history and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates
• Support the development and mentoring of junior estimating team members

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of estimating experience within heavy civil, water/wastewater, or related infrastructure construction
• Strong understanding of civil construction methods, means, and cost drivers
• Experience estimating WWTP, utilities, yard piping, site development, or similar heavy civil projects
• Ability to interpret civil, structural, mechanical/process drawings and specifications
• Strong quantity takeoff, pricing, and cost-modeling skills
• Experience working with subcontractors and vendors to develop competitive pricing
• Understanding of risk, constructability, productivity, and productionrates
• Exposure to DOT, municipal, or utility authority bidding is beneficial
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
• Experience with estimating or construction platforms such as HCSS HeavyBid, Bid2Win, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Primavera P6, or Procore is beneficial
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred but relevant experience will be considered

The Opportunity

• You'll be joining an employee-owned civil construction business where estimators have a direct impact on the projects the company pursues and ultimately delivers.
• The role offers the chance to work on significant infrastructure projects while collaborating closely with experienced operations and estimating professionals.
• For someone with a strong heavy civil or WWTP background, it's an opportunity to take on increasingly complex estimates and have a visible impact on the success of major projects.
• The company places a strong emphasis on accountability, integrity, teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.