Senior Estimator - Caltrans Heavy Civil Infrastructure

Zaddy Solutions; 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

Job summary

Zaddy Solutions is seeking a Senior Estimator for Southern California, focusing on Caltrans and heavy civil infrastructure. Lead bid prep, quantity takeoffs, and pricing for major projects while coordinating with stakeholders to ensure competitive, compliant estimates.

You will develop production rates, review contract documents, and manage risks and opportunities across multiple bids, including roadways, bridges, and utilities. Strong Caltrans knowledge preferred.

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.
• Airport/FAA infrastructure estimating experience is highly desirable.
• Experience developing production-based estimates using labor and equipment crews.

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.
• Estimate major scopes including mass excavation, grading, asphalt paving, structural concrete, bridges and civil structures, retaining walls, underground utilities, drainage and stormwater systems, and roadways.
• Develop crew-based production rates for high-production grading, excavation, paving, and civil operations.
• Analyze construction sequencing, equipment requirements, site logistics, and means and methods when developing estimates.
• Review geotechnical information, earthwork quantities, haul requirements, and material balances.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals to ensure complete scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Coordinate with DBE/UDBE subcontractors and vendors to meet applicable public works participation requirements.
• Identify bid risks, opportunities, constructability concerns, and value engineering alternatives.
• Develop preliminary schedules and coordinate estimating assumptions with Primavera P6 schedules when required.
• Maintain historical cost and production data to improve estimating accuracy.
• Monitor changes in labor, equipment, fuel, asphalt, concrete, aggregate, and other material costs.
• Participate in bid reviews and final pricing strategy with senior management.
• Coordinate successful project handoffs with Project Managers, Superintendents, and operations teams.
• Support change order pricing and project cost analysis as required.

Skills

Estimating - heavy civil

Caltrans highway projects

Analytical, organizational, and nego…

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

InEight / Hard Dollar

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Bluebeam Revu

Microsoft Office

Digital takeoff platforms

Job description

Zaddy Solutions is seeking a Senior Estimator for Southern California, focusing on Caltrans and heavy civil infrastructure. Lead bid prep, quantity takeoffs, and pricing for major projects while coordinating with stakeholders to ensure competitive, compliant estimates.

You will develop production rates, review contract documents, and manage risks and opportunities across multiple bids, including roadways, bridges, and utilities. Strong Caltrans knowledge preferred.