Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Construction

Hatched Recruitment Group; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hatched Recruitment Group seeks a Senior Estimator with 10+ years of civil estimating experience to lead bids for public works and heavy civil projects in Northern California. The role emphasizes self-performed work, accurate production-based estimates, and close collaboration with field teams to ensure realistic means and methods.

The ideal candidate will price asphalt paving, earthwork, grading, utilities, and drainage, while mentoring junior staff and contributing to estimating process

Qualifications

• 10+ years of civil construction estimating experience.
• Strong background in heavy civil, highway, roadway or public works construction.
• Experience estimating self-performed work rather than relying on subcontractor pricing.
• Ability to interpret civil plans, specifications and contract documents.
• Strong quantity takeoff, cost analysis and bid preparation skills.
• Experience with public-sector bidding and agency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimates for major public works and heavy civil projects.
• Price highway, roadway and transportation improvements.
• Estimate self-performed asphalt paving, earthwork and grading.
• Develop detailed estimates for water, sewer and storm drain utilities.
• Review plans, specifications and bid documents to establish project scope.
• Mentor junior estimators and support estimating process improvements.
• Take ownership of estimates from opportunity to bid submission.

Skills

Civil estimating

Public works experience

Self-perform estimating

Job description

An established, employee-owned civil contractor with a long history of delivering public works, transportation and infrastructure projects across Northern California is looking to add an experienced Senior Estimator to its team.

This is a senior-level opportunity for someone with 10+ years of heavy civil estimating experience who understands public works and highway construction and can confidently price projects involving asphalt paving, wet utilities, earthwork, grading and underground infrastructure.

The company is known for its self-perform capabilities, meaning you'll be working with teams that understand the work in the field — giving you the opportunity to build estimates around realistic production rates, equipment requirements, labor and construction methods. The business delivers grading, paving, underground pipeline, fresh water and transportation projects across California.

You’ll Get to Expand Your Experience In

• Leading estimates for major public works and heavy civil projects
• Pricing highway, roadway and transportation improvements
• Estimating self-performed asphalt paving, earthwork and grading
• Developing detailed estimates for water, sewer and storm drain utilities
• Reviewing plans, specifications and bid documents to establish complete project scope
• Performing and reviewing quantity takeoffs and developing accurate production-based estimates
• Building labor, material, equipment and subcontractor pricing into competitive bids
• Evaluating construction methods, productivity, risks and project conditions
• Working closely with operations to ensure estimates reflect realistic means, methods and production
• Reviewing subcontractor and supplier proposals and identifying scope gaps
• Developing value-engineering and alternative construction approaches
• Supporting pre-bid meetings, site visits and client discussions
• Mentoring and supporting junior estimating staff while helping improve estimating processes
• Taking ownership of estimates from initial opportunity through bid submission

The work is predominantly focused on public infrastructure, with projects spanning transportation, highways, underground utilities, grading and paving. The contractor has a strong self-perform capability across earthwork, excavation, grading, paving and pipeline construction.

Recent and current work includes public transportation and highway projects, including Caltrans work, alongside water and utility infrastructure.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of civil construction estimating experience
• Strong background in heavy civil, highway, roadway or public works construction
• Asphalt paving
• Earthwork and grading
• Storm drainage
• Underground pipelines
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods and production rates
• Experience estimating self-performed work rather than relying exclusively on subcontractor pricing
• Ability to interpret civil plans, specifications and contract documents
• Strong quantity takeoff, cost analysis and bid preparation skills
• Experience with public-sector bidding and agency requirements
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with operations and field leadership
• Ability to mentor less experienced estimators and contribute to the development of the estimating team