Senior Estimator - Caltrans Heavy Civil Infrastructure

CareerNerds, LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Vehicle allowance

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Other company benefits

Job summary

CareerNerds, LLC is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead bidding for major heavy civil infrastructure projects across Southern California, including Caltrans programs, highways, grading, paving, bridges and airport works.

This role requires deep knowledge of Caltrans specifications, production-based estimating, subcontractor markets, and risk evaluation, with responsibility for detailed takeoffs, bid strategy, and handoff to operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of heavy civil construction estimating experience.
• Proven experience estimating Caltrans highway and California public works projects.
• Strong knowledge of Caltrans specifications, plans, bid requirements, and construction standards.
• Extensive understanding of heavy civil construction means and methods.
• Strong knowledge of earthwork, grading, paving, structural concrete, underground utilities, and roadway construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of detailed estimates and competitive bids for large-scale heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Review and interpret Caltrans Standard Specifications, Standard Plans, Special Provisions, project drawings, and contract documents.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing for labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, and indirect costs.
• Develop preliminary schedules and coordinate estimating assumptions with Primavera P6 schedules when required.
• Coordinate successful project handoffs with Project Managers, Superintendents, and operations teams.

Skills

Estimating heavy civil projects

Caltrans bidding

Earthwork/grading/paving knowledge

Contract documents analysis

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

InEight/Hard Dollar

Primavera P6

Excel

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

CareerNerds, LLC is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead bidding for major heavy civil infrastructure projects across Southern California, including Caltrans programs, highways, grading, paving, bridges and airport works.

This role requires deep knowledge of Caltrans specifications, production-based estimating, subcontractor markets, and risk evaluation, with responsibility for detailed takeoffs, bid strategy, and handoff to operations.