Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil & Caltrans Projects

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

Job summary

Key People in Southern California seeks a Senior Estimator to lead bidding and estimating for major heavy civil, highway, grading, paving, and airport projects across Southern California. The role emphasizes Caltrans standards, production-based estimating, and subcontractor pricing.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in heavy civil construction estimating, deep Caltrans knowledge, and strong negotiation skills to drive competitive bids and successful handoffs to operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of heavy civil construction estimating experience.
• Caltrans highway and California public works estimating.
• Strong knowledge of Caltrans specifications, plans, bid requirements, and construction standards.
• Extensive understanding of heavy civil construction means and methods.
• 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 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 & Earthwork; Grading & Subgrade Preparation; Asphalt Paving; Structural Concrete; Bridges & Civil Structures; Retaining Walls; Underground Utilities; Drainage & Stormwater Systems; Roadway Improvements; Traffic Control.
• 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

Heavy civil estimating

Caltrans knowledge

Bid strategy

Risk analysis

Project coordination

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

InEight/Hard Dollar

Primavera P6

Excel

Bluebeam Revu

MS Office

Digital takeoff

Job description

Key People in Southern California seeks a Senior Estimator to lead bidding and estimating for major heavy civil, highway, grading, paving, and airport projects across Southern California. The role emphasizes Caltrans standards, production-based estimating, and subcontractor pricing.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in heavy civil construction estimating, deep Caltrans knowledge, and strong negotiation skills to drive competitive bids and successful handoffs to operations.