Senior Estimator Heavy Civil

EWI Recruitment; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

EWI Recruitment is seeking a Senior Estimator to support pre-construction and tendering for major heavy civil infrastructure projects. You will develop bids covering roads, bridges, earthworks, utilities, drainage, rail, and marine works, reflecting scope, risks, and delivery needs.

You will mentor junior estimators, review drawings and contract documents, and work with project teams to ensure accurate, competitive estimates and well-documented tender packages.

Qualifications

• Experience in heavy civil estimation and tendering for major infrastructure projects.
• Ability to prepare detailed quantity take-offs and cost estimates reflecting risk and delivery requirements.
• Proficiency with estimating software, Excel, and digital take-off tools; able to interpret complex drawings and specs.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, contract documents, and client requirements.
• Prepare labour, plant, materials, subcontractor, and indirect cost allowances; evaluate quotations.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and support bid strategy and tender presentations.
• Mentor junior estimators and contribute to estimating process improvements.

Skills

Estimating

Quantity take-offs

Cost estimation

Tendering

Risk analysis

Negotiation

Stakeholder communication

Analytics

Digital take-off tools

Excel/spreadsheets

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Tools

Estimating software

Spreadsheets

Digital take-off

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Estimator to support the pre-construction and tendering of major heavy civil infrastructure projects. This role will be responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and commercially sound estimates across projects such as roads, bridges, earthworks, utilities, drainage, rail, marine works, and other large-scale civil infrastructure. You will work closely with project managers, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and senior leadership to develop bids that reflect the full scope, risks, and delivery requirements of each opportunity.

Key responsibilities include reviewing drawings, specifications, contract documents, and client requirements; developing detailed quantity take-offs and cost estimates; preparing labour, plant, materials, subcontractor, and indirect cost allowances; obtaining and evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations; identifying value engineering opportunities; and maintaining clear tender documentation. You will analyse project risks, exclusions, assumptions, construction methodologies, and programme impacts, while contributing to bid strategy, pricing reviews, and tender presentations. The role will also involve mentoring junior estimators and supporting the continuous improvement of estimating processes, systems, and cost databases.

Applicants should have substantial estimating experience within heavy civil construction, ideally gained on complex infrastructure or major civil engineering projects. Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, contracts, pricing, and commercial risk is essential, together with the ability to interpret technical documentation and produce accurate estimates under tight deadlines. Proficiency with estimating software, spreadsheets, and digital take-off tools is required. You will need excellent analytical, communication, and negotiation skills, a high level of attention to detail, and the confidence to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels. A relevant qualification in civil engineering, quantity surveying, construction management, or a related discipline is desirable. The successful candidate will be commercially astute, organised, proactive, and committed to delivering high-quality tender submissions.