Senior DOT Estimator with AIS Infrastructure

AIS Infrastructure; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with discretionary company match

Company-paid life and AD&D

Short & Long-term disability

Job summary

AIS Infrastructure Group seeks a Senior DOT Estimator to lead accurate, competitive cost estimates for large-scale DOT highway, bridge and utility projects. This role drives bid strategy, risk analysis, and pricing decisions, partnering with operations and leadership to align with safety standards and financial objectives.

Responsibilities include detailed takeoffs, subcontractor outreach, bid leveling, and mentoring junior estimators, while maintaining estimating databases and benchmarks to

Qualifications

• Significant experience with DOT projects involving highways and bridges.
• 7–10 years estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or related field (or equivalent).
• Proven experience leading estimates on large, complex projects.
• Advanced knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, means, and sequencing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cost estimates for large-scale civil projects (highways, bridges, utilities).
• Analyze plans, specs, geotechnical data, and contracts to identify scope, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop bid strategies including pricing approach and risk positioning.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subs.
• Lead subcontractor and supplier outreach, bid leveling, and scope alignment.
• Mentor and guide junior estimators; maintain estimating databases and benchmarks.
• Present estimates to executive leadership and support negotiations.

Skills

DOT project experience

Estimating leadership

Financial acumen

Bid reviews

Leadership

Communication skills

Bid management

Negotiation & subcontractor mgmt

Cost databases & benchmarking

Problem solving under deadlines

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering/construction mgmt

CCP certification

PMP certification

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Vista

Excel-based models

Job description

Company Overview

The AIS Infrastructure Group consists of four heavy civil construction companies. Our services include infrastructure improvement, heavy civil construction, and site development for government and state agencies and private enterprise across the United States. We do a wide variety of heavy civil projects, including highways, bridges, and DOT work, power plants, dams and reservoirs, underground utilities, and more.

We are Heavy Civil Construction and Sitework experts, but we specialize in providing peace of mind.

AIS Infrastructure Group is part of a family of companies unified by purpose to deliver safe, reliable solutions to our clients' unique challenges. We are committed to providing superior service and leaving things better than we found them.

Job Summary

The Senior DOT Estimator is responsible for leading the preparation of accurate, competitive, and strategic cost estimates for complex heavy civil construction projects, particularly for the Department of Transportation on highway, interstate, and/or bridge projects. This role plays a critical leadership function in preconstruction, driving bid strategy, risk analysis, and pricing decisions that directly impact project success and company profitability.

The Senior DOT Estimator partners with operations, project management, and executive leadership to develop winning proposals while ensuring alignment with AIS Infrastructure's safety standards, operational capabilities, and financial objectives.

• Lead the development of comprehensive cost estimates for large-scale and complex civil construction projects (e.g., highways, bridges, utilities, infrastructure).
• Analyze project plans, specifications, geotechnical data, and contract documents to fully understand scope, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop bid strategies, including pricing approach, subcontracting strategy, and risk positioning.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
• Lead subcontractor and supplier outreach, bid leveling, and scope alignment.
• Identify project risks and opportunities and incorporate them into estimate assumptions and contingencies.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Superintendents, and Project Managers to validate means, methods, and production assumptions.
• Present estimates and recommendations to executive leadership for bid approval.
• Support negotiations, value engineering efforts, and contract development.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior estimators and support staff.
• Maintain and improve estimating databases, historical cost data, and benchmarking tools.
• Stay current on market trends, labor conditions, material pricing, and competitive landscape.

Requirements and Education

• Significant experience with DOT projects involving highways and bridges is required.
• Minimum 7-10 years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience leading estimates on large, complex projects.
• Advanced knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, means, and sequencing.
• Ability to understand and meet expectations of the Department of Transportation for their infrastructure projects.
• Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to evaluate project profitability and risk.
• Expertise in cost estimating software and tools (e.g., HCSS HeavyBid, Vista, Excel-based models).
• Ability to lead bid reviews and communicate effectively with executive leadership.
• Strong negotiation and subcontractor management skills.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage complex, multi-phase estimates.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop others.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of contract types, procurement methods, and bid structures.
• Ability to interpret and analyze risk in contract language and project requirements.
• Experience with cost databases and benchmarking tools.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability under tight deadlines.

Preferred Requirements and Education

• Experience working with USACE and doing other public infrastructure projects is a plus.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CCP, PMP) are a plus.

Benefits

We are dedicated to our employees' well-being and believe that every one of our employees has the right to work in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Because of this, we offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401k with a Discretionary Company Match & 100% Immediate Vesting
• Company Paid Life and AD&D policy. (Voluntary Buy-up options)
• Short & Long-Term Disability

Travel

• Travel to different project sites and offices as needed.

EEO Statement

AIS Infrastructure Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.