Senior Estimator

Phoenix General Contractors LLC; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix General Contractors LLC, an SBA 8(a)-certified firm based in El Paso, TX, seeks an estimating leader to own and drive large project estimates, including federal opportunities. You will price, win, and manage bids with support for takeoffs and vendor pricing.

You’ll focus on projects over $1 million, while also handling smaller bids as needed. Expect a performance bonus linked to gross profit and a fast ramp-up to substantial annual awarded work.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of construction estimating in water/wastewater or heavy civil.
• Government bidding experience: federal and municipal utilities.
• Proven bid volume, hit rate, and dollars won over last 2–3 years.
• Familiarity with FAR, Davis-Bacon, SAM.gov, and bonding.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue bid opportunities on SAM.gov, municipal portals, and through owner relationships.
• Make go/no-go recommendations based on scope, risk, margin, and capacity.
• Prepare complete estimates for water/wastewater, civil, and mechanical projects.
• Build labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor pricing; apply overhead and profit strategy.
• Prepare federal proposals under FAR requirements.
• Price work under Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act wage determinations.
• Manage bid bonds, bid forms, and submission deadlines.
• Estimate projects under $1 million as needed to support workload.
• Lead and mentor estimating staff, set standards and processes.
• Handoff awarded projects to operations with a clear budget and scope.

Skills

Construction estimating

Government bidding

Track record

FAR knowledge

SAM.gov knowledge

Bidding software

Drawings interpretation

Degree preferred

Education

Engineering/Construction Mgmt degree preferred

Tools

Bluebeam

Excel

HeavyBid

PlanSwift

Job description

Phoenix General Contractors is an SBA 8(a)-certified general contractor headquartered in El Paso, Texas. We build and maintain water and wastewater infrastructure, mechanical/HVAC systems, civil works, and federal and municipal facilities across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Our clients include the VA, DHS, Department of the Interior/National Park Service, FAA, DoD, and municipal water utilities.

We’re growing fast and need a proven estimating leader to drive that growth.

The Role

This is not a takeoff-only position. We’re looking for an estimating leader who can find, price, and win work. You’ll own estimating for our larger projects and federal opportunities, and you’ll be expected to bring in at least $7 million in awarded work per year once fully ramped up. There is no ceiling. Our performance bonus is tied to the gross profit of the work you win, so the more you bring in, the more you earn. You’ll be supported by an estimator for takeoffs and vendor/sub pricing.

You’ll focus on projects over $1 million, but this is a hands‑on role at a growing company. You’ll also step in on smaller projects when the workload calls for it.

What You’ll Do

• Identify and pursue bid opportunities on SAM.gov, municipal portals, and through owner relationships
• Make go/no-go recommendations based on scope, risk, margin, and capacity
• Prepare complete estimates for water/wastewater, civil, and mechanical projects: pump and lift stations, pipelines, line stops, tanks, treatment facilities, and plant upgrades
• Build labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor pricing; apply overhead and profit strategy
• Prepare federal proposals, including technical volumes and price volumes, under FAR requirements
• Price work under Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act wage determinations
• Manage bid bonds, bid forms, and submission deadlines
• Estimate projects under $1 million as needed to support workload and keep the pipeline moving
• Lead and mentor estimating staff, and set estimating standards and processes
• Hand off awarded projects to operations with a clear budget and scope

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of construction estimating, with at least 5 in water/wastewater or heavy civil
• Government bidding experience: federal (USACE, VA, DoD, DOI, or similar) and municipal water utilities
• A proven track record: be ready to share your bid volume, hit rate, and dollars won over the last 2–3 years
• Working knowledge of FAR, Davis-Bacon, SAM.gov, and bonding
• Proficiency in Bluebeam, Excel, and estimating software (HeavyBid, PlanSwift, or similar)
• Ability to read and interpret civil, mechanical, and process drawings and specifications
• Engineering or construction management degree preferred; equivalent experience considered

• Willingness to travel for site walks and pre-bid meetings
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal project teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience mentoring or guiding junior estimators and contributing to process improvements within the estimating function.
• Commitment to ethical practices, accuracy, and integrity in all estimating and bidding activities.