Senior Estimator & Bid Lead – Underground Utilities

The Recruiting Hive; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical and dental plans

Vision, life and AD&D coverage

Aflac

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation, holidays and sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Confidential Search in East San Diego County, CA is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead an estimating group for underground utilities projects. This on-site, direct-hire role requires steering a team of 3–5 estimators and delivering competitive bids for gas, electric, telecom and joint trench work.

You will analyze RFPs, develop production estimates, and drive bid strategy sessions, with a focus on accurate take-offs and robust cost models.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction.
• Experience bidding public works and utility-owner work with prevailing wage and DIR compliance.
• Experience leading and developing a team of estimators.
• Proficiency with estimation tools: B2W, Accubid, HCSS/HeavyBid; MS Project and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and review a team of 3–5 estimators.
• Build production-based estimates for large-scale underground utility and civil projects.
• Prepare competitive hard bids for public agencies and major utility owners.
• Analyze RFPs, scopes of work, plans and specs; perform detailed take-offs and build bid schedules.
• Lead pre-bid meetings, bid strategy sessions and site visits.
• Define sub and supplier scopes, solicit and level pricing, and maintain pricing database.
• Review final estimates with Operations, obtain internal approval, and submit bid packages.
• Compare actual and budgeted costs and build cost models from historical data.
• Support project managers with hand-off, resource planning, scheduling and change orders.

Skills

Team leadership

Bid strategy

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance or Construction Management

Tools

B2W

Accubid

HCSS HeavyBid

P6

MS Project

Excel

Sage 300/Timberline

Job description

Confidential Search in East San Diego County, CA is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead an estimating group for underground utilities projects. This on-site, direct-hire role requires steering a team of 3–5 estimators and delivering competitive bids for gas, electric, telecom and joint trench work.

You will analyze RFPs, develop production estimates, and drive bid strategy sessions, with a focus on accurate take-offs and robust cost models.