Senior Estimator

The Sterling Choice; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 248,000 - 303,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is partnering with a Southern California heavy civil contractor to hire a Senior Estimator who will own bids from plans to handover. This is a hands-on role demanding deep underground utilities knowledge and the ability to develop accurate pricing and assess project risk.

Based in Greater Los Angeles / Inland Empire, the position offers flexible work options around office presence, with focus on successful bid closings, subcontractor pricing, and thorough bid documentation

Qualifications

• Experience estimating California public works projects.
• Hands-on estimating ownership from plans to bid.
• Ability to build and close a complete estimate.
• Experience in underground infrastructure projects is preferred.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness.

Responsibilities

• Leading estimates for heavy civil and underground infrastructure projects
• Reviewing plans, specifications and contract documents in detail
• Completing quantity takeoffs and developing detailed pricing
• Evaluating construction methodologies, productivity and project risk
• Soliciting and reviewing subcontractor and vendor pricing
• Developing bid documentation and completing final bid submissions
• Participating in bid closings and commercial reviews
• Supporting project handover from estimating into operations

Skills

Underground utilities

Heavy civil

Pricing

Takeoffs

Bid closings

Project risk

Bid management

Tools

HeavyBid

HCSS

Job description

Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil / Underground Utilities

Greater Los Angeles / Inland Empire, CA

Up to $275,000 Base Salary

Heavy Civil | Underground Utilities | Water & Wastewater

I’m partnering with an established heavy civil contractor in Southern California that is looking to add an experienced Senior Estimator to its team.

This is a senior, hands-on estimating position for somebody who genuinely understands underground construction and can take ownership of an estimate from initial plans and specifications through to final bid submission and project handover.

You won’t simply be applying unit rates.

You’ll be expected to understand how the project will actually be built, identify risk, develop accurate pricing and ultimately own the bid.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading estimates for heavy civil and underground infrastructure projects
• Reviewing plans, specifications and contract documents in detail
• Completing quantity takeoffs and developing detailed pricing
• Evaluating construction methodologies, productivity and project risk
• Soliciting and reviewing subcontractor and vendor pricing
• Developing bid documentation and completing final bid submissions
• Participating in bid closings and commercial reviews
• Supporting project handover from estimating into operations

What we’re looking for:

• Underground utility, pipeline, water/wastewater or wet utility experience
• Ability to independently build and close a complete estimate
• Strong understanding of field construction and project methodology
• Experience with HeavyBid / HCSS
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness

Experience estimating California public works projects would be particularly valuable.

Additional experience within trenchless infrastructure or pipeline rehabilitation would be advantageous, but isn’t essential.

We’re open to speaking with Senior Estimators, Chief Estimators and hands-on Estimating Managers who still enjoy getting into the detail of a bid.

The position is based in Southern California and offers flexibility around working from home. However, this isn’t a fully remote position — you’ll need to be accessible to the office and project teams when required, particularly around major bid closings.

For the right person, the base salary can reach $275,000.