Senior Estimator

MKL Careers; California; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Year-end performance bonuses

Growth path toward Senior/Chief Esti m

Job summary

MKL Careers seeks an Estimator with strong healthcare construction experience in the Sacramento market. The role focuses on hospital, medical office, and clinical facility projects, requiring attention to regulatory detail and rigorous bid preparation.

Responsibilities include detailed cost estimating, vendor solicitations, and coordination with preconstruction teams to support winning bids and smooth handoff to project management. Travel to job walks is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience with healthcare construction projects.
• Experience with OSHPD/HCAI and/or DSA-regulated projects preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory, inspection, and documentation requirements in healthcare/public agency construction.
• Proficiency with estimating/takeoff software (e.g., OST, Bluebeam, PlanSwift) and MS Office.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent.
• Attention to detail and strong communication skills; willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for healthcare construction projects, including takeoffs and cost analysis.
• Review drawings, specs, and code requirements for hospital/clinical facilities including infection control.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Support OSHPD/DSA-regulated project estimates with required docs and schedules.
• Analyze value engineering options to improve bid competitiveness.
• Present estimates and participate in bid reviews with clients and senior management.
• Build relationships with healthcare-experienced subcontractors and suppliers.
• Track cost trends for healthcare and regulated public construction.
• Assist handoff of winning bids to project management and field teams.

Skills

Estimating

Healthcare construction

OSHPD/HCAI knowledge

Team communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Location: Sacramento, CA | Full-Time Reports to: Chief Estimator / Director of Preconstruction

About the Role

Our client, an established general contractor with an active presence in the Sacramento market, is seeking an Estimator with a strong background in healthcare construction to support a growing pipeline of hospital, medical office, and clinical facility projects. Candidates with additional DSA/OSHPD (HCAI) or K-12 experience are especially attractive, given the overlap in regulatory rigor and inspection standards between healthcare and DSA-regulated public work.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for healthcare construction projects, including quantity takeoffs, cost analysis, and proposal development.
• Review drawings, specifications, and code requirements specific to hospital and clinical facility construction, including infection control and interim life safety considerations.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Support estimates for OSHPD/HCAI or DSA-regulated projects, factoring in the additional cost, schedule, and documentation requirements these agencies impose.
• Analyze alternative means, methods, and value engineering opportunities to sharpen bid competitiveness.
• Assist in presenting estimates and supporting bid reviews with clients and senior management.
• Build and maintain relationships with healthcare-experienced subcontractors and suppliers.
• Track material and labor cost trends relevant to healthcare and regulated public construction.
• Support handoff of winning bids to project management and field operations with clear scope and budget documentation.
• Assist preconstruction teams with scheduling, submittals, and buyout support.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience, with meaningful exposure to healthcare construction (hospital, medical office building, or clinical facility projects).
• Experience with OSHPD/HCAI and/or DSA-regulated projects strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of the regulatory, inspection, and documentation requirements unique to healthcare and public agency construction.
• Proficiency with estimating/takeoff software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, PlanSwift), Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort navigating complex, code-heavy project scopes.
• Excellent communication skills and a team-first mindset.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to job walks across the greater Sacramento region.

What's On Offer

• Opportunity to specialize in a high-demand, regulation-intensive niche (healthcare + DSA)
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Year-end performance bonuses for merit
• Growth path toward Senior Estimator or Chief Estimator