Senior Estimator

HDR, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Senior Estimator to join our team and strengthen cost estimating for a major highway/bridge program in the Los Angeles area.

This professional will analyze plans, prepare estimates, and collaborate with project managers, suppliers, and clients to ensure precise budgeting and cost control. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of estimating experience, strong skills in Bluebeam/ProEst/PlanSwift/HCSS, and the ability to lead small estimate efforts while communicating effectively

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Construction Science Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience as a construction estimator with significant highway/bridge project exposure.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting architectural and engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Perform general or discipline cost estimating, generating capital cost and services estimates with data analysis and budgeting controls.
• Prepare services, distributable, contractor indirect and capital cost estimates in specialized discipline areas.
• Develop unit rates, basis of estimates and escalation factors for project cost models.

Skills

Interpret construction schedules

Verbal and written communication

Lead small project estimates

Microsoft Office proficiency

Data analysis and cost modeling

Education

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

Tools

Bluebeam

ProEst

PlanSwift

Sage Estimating

HCSS

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
Are you a detailed-oriented professional with a passion for accuracy and cost efficiency in construction? HDR is seeking a motivated Senior Estimator to join our growing team on an exciting program in the Los Angeles area. In this role, you'll analyze project plans, prepare estimates and collaborate with project managers, suppliers and our client to ensure accurate budgeting and cost control. At HDR we believe in investing in our team's success! If you're ready to grow your career in a dynamic environment and on a great program, we'd love to hear from you!

In the role of Senior Estimator, we'll count on you to:

• Perform general or discipline cost estimating generating capital cost and/or services estimates; data analysis identifying problems and make recommendations; and control activities for project and/or proposal efforts
• Support estimate reporting and reviews
• Provide technical direction to assigned personnel when delegated
• Execute simultaneous tasks within broadly defined parameters
• Prepare services, distributable, contractor indirect and/or capital cost estimates in specialized discipline areas using current techniques and market pricing
• Prepare cost/schedule products for proposals or contract negotiations
• Provide input on the level of effort required (cost/job hours) through coordination with functions and/or vendors, and consolidate input for costing
• Perform and review methodology for quantity takeoffs from design drawings for multidiscipline sections and customize forms to reflect best effort
• Prepare detail pricing field office non-manual labor/other direct costs (ODC) and home office labor/ODCs
• Produce capital costs estimate using a crew-based approach including formation of crews from multiple disciplines
• Provide detail pricing for manual labor rates
• Develop unit rates for discipline specific items
• Assist in developing conceptual quantities to supplement partial design-build design documents
• Prepare basis and assumption documentation denoting rationale, inclusions and exclusions
• Calculate fee based on established fee model
• Quantify and spread escalation based on project schedule and estimated costs
• Develop and perform analysis of project cash models and the corresponding time value of money as the cost of working capital correlating scheduled activities and cost
• Generate payment schedules
• Support risk analysis assessment by identifying areas of risk
• Support contingency efforts as directed
• Assist in developing unit staffing, job hour and pricing data for a specific discipline or other specialty, including estimating parameters, factors, indices, and craft distribution reference data based on analysis of HDR and industry experience
• Perform data analysis, identify problems and make recommendations
• Identify or define data sources and techniques for data acquisition
• Prepare reports and estimate summaries for estimate reviews, as directed by supervisor
• Participate in estimate reviews and presentations as appropriate
• Support training activities as needed
• Perform other duties as needed
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications (one or more): CPE, CCT, CEP, PSP, EVP, PMI-SP, PMP, CCM, PRMP, DRMP, PE
• Ability to interpret construction schedules
• Minimum 10 years of experience as a construction estimator with significant experience on highway and bridge projects.
• Heavy civil or utilities exp is a plus.
• Large project experience ($100m+) is a plus
• Proficiency in Bluebeam, ProEst, PlanSwift or Sage Estimating or HCSS
• Ability to interpret architectural and engineering drawings accurately
• Experience in sourcing materials, working with subcontractors and securing competitive pricing
• Local candidates preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Construction Science Engineering or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years' related experience
• Advanced understanding of Microsoft Office software
• Advanced understanding of construction estimating concepts, construction scheduling and elements associated with Risk
• Intermediate Management fundamentals
• Able to lead small project estimates
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
  

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
In addition to work alignment and engagement we want to ensure physical and mental wellbeing. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Pay Transparency Location1}: $130,088- $213,716 Primary Location: United States-California-Los Angeles Other Locations: United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Long Beach, United States-California-San Diego Industry: Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Project Controls Job Posting: Oct 16, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmatively and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.