Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil & Caltrans Highway Projects

Talent Solutions Partners; 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

Talent Solutions Partners is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead bidding for major heavy civil infrastructure in Southern California, with emphasis on Caltrans and public works. The role covers detailed takeoffs, labor/equipment pricing, risk analysis, and transitioning successful bids to operations.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience bidding Caltrans/highway projects, strong means-and-methods knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple estimates to meet tight public bid

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.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor bid leveling, scope coverage, and vendor pricing.
• Ability to analyze complex plans, specifications, schedules, and contract requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates while meeting strict public agency bid deadlines.

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 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

Caltrans compliance

Bid strategy

Cost analysis

Subcontractor management

Production rates

Plan interpretation

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Scheduling

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

InEight / Hard Dollar

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Bluebeam Revu

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital takeoff platforms

Job description

Talent Solutions Partners is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead bidding for major heavy civil infrastructure in Southern California, with emphasis on Caltrans and public works. The role covers detailed takeoffs, labor/equipment pricing, risk analysis, and transitioning successful bids to operations.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience bidding Caltrans/highway projects, strong means-and-methods knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple estimates to meet tight public bid