Senior Estimator

Lusternational; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited flexible time off

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Job summary

Lusternational is seeking a Senior Estimator to support large heavy-civil infrastructure programs in Sacramento, CA. This full-time, on-site position involves all phases of estimating, collaborating with internal teams and external contractors to produce accurate and risk-informed estimates.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of heavy civil estimating experience, with strong skills in communication, organization, and analytics. This role also offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including unlimited flexible time off and health insurance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience on heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Experience reading blueprints and generating work breakdown structures.
• Experience with database-driven estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages capital cost estimates for projects.
• Coordinates with engineering and project controls.
• Supports preparation of programmatic capital cost estimates.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Exceptional organizational skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field

Master's degree in civil engineering or construction science

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365

Timberline/Sage300

HeavyBid

Onscreen Takeoff

Microsoft Power BI

Job description

About the Position

We’re seeking a Senior Estimator to support large, heavy-civil infrastructure programs in highways, roads, and bridges, transit (including rail systems), aviation (international airports), and water sectors delivered through both traditional and alternative methods. This role is responsible for all phases of estimating, from early conceptual and planning stages through final design and construction, and works collaboratively with internal teams, external consultants, and contractors to produce accurate, defensible, and risk‑informed estimates within a schedule‑driven environment.

This is a long‑term, full‑time, on‑site position located in Sacramento, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages capital cost estimates for program and project components from conceptual planning through final design and construction.
• Coordinates with engineering, project controls, and other technical disciplines to collect, validate, and integrate data used in cost development.
• Supports preparation of programmatic capital cost estimates for business plans, baselines, and update reports.
• Reviews and analyzes contractor estimates, bids, change proposals, and claims for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with program requirements.
• Develops policies and procedures for programmatic cost estimating.
• Participates in risk, value engineering, and constructability workshops to support cost validation and decision making.

Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., tact, diplomacy, influence, etc.), with the ability to effectively collaborate and interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills and supreme attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to think critically and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong negotiation skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction science/management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of estimating experience on heavy civil infrastructure transit projects with values exceeding $1B.
• Knowledge of design and construction disciplines, including the means and methods used on transit infrastructure projects.
• Experience coordinating and utilizing internal and external resources to develop accurate cost estimates within a schedule‑driven program environment.
• Experience analyzing, reviewing, and estimating change orders.
• Experience developing presentations and then delivering those to clients and other stakeholders.
• Experience reading blueprints and generating quantities, work breakdown structures, and scopes of work.
• Experience with database‑driven estimating software as well as electronic quantity surveying systems (Timberline/Sage300, HeavyBid, Onscreen Takeoff).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in civil engineering or construction science.
• Active professional certifications such as CEP, CCP, CCT (AACE); CPE (ASPE); CCM (CMAA); MRICS/FRICS, AssocRICS (RICS); or CCE/A (ICEAA) or PE license in the state of California.
• 15+ years of estimating experience on heavy civil infrastructure projects, including a minimum of 10 years in heavy civil infrastructure transit projects with typical project values exceeding $1B.
• Experience in estimating roles supporting owners.
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details

Expected Salary: $176k–$200k/year ($85–$96/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Benefits

• Unlimited flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
• Long‑term disability insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
• Formal career planning and development program
• $2,500 annually toward professional development
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
• Free personal financial planning services
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Employee referral bonus

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E‑Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I‑9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Please email [e-mail] for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.