Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Infrastructure

Software Placement Group, SPG; 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

Software Placement Group, SPG seeks a Senior Estimator to lead bidding for major heavy civil projects in Southern California. You will develop competitive estimates, review Caltrans docs, and coordinate with project teams to optimize pricing and risk.

Responsibilities include detailed takeoffs, subcontractor coordination, and bid strategy development with senior management, ensuring compliance with public works requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading estimates for large-scale heavy civil projects.
• Proven ability to read Caltrans specs, plans and bid requirements.
• Strong cost analysis and risk evaluation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed estimates and bids for heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Review Caltrans specs, plans and contract documents for accuracy.
• Takeoffs and pricing for labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, and indirect costs.
• Coordinate with PMs and operations to ensure bid viability and compliance.

Skills

Estimating

Caltrans knowledge

Bid negotiation

Contract interpretation

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Primavera P6

Bluebeam Revu

Excel

InEight/Hard Dollar

Job description

Location: San Diego County, Southern California | Schedule: Full-time, on-site | Compensation: $140,000 – $190,000+ base salary, depending on experience

Overview

An established heavy civil construction firm is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead estimating and bid preparation for major heavy civil, highway, roadway, grading, paving, structural concrete, and airport infrastructure projects throughout Southern California. This role is central to developing competitive estimates, evaluating project risk, and shaping construction strategy for some of the region's most significant transportation and infrastructure projects.

What you'll do

• 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 and earthwork, grading and subgrade preparation, asphalt paving, structural concrete, bridges and civil structures, retaining walls, underground utilities, drainage and stormwater systems, roadway improvements, and 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

Required 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
• 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

Preferred qualifications

• Estimating experience with Caltrans projects, heavy highway construction, interstate and freeway improvements, roadway reconstruction, mass grading and earthwork, asphalt paving, structural concrete, bridges and structures, retaining walls, underground utilities, drainage infrastructure, airport and airfield construction, runways and taxiways, public works infrastructure, and design-build/alternative delivery projects is highly preferred
• Airport/FAA infrastructure estimating experience is highly desirable
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid, InEight / Hard Dollar, Primavera P6, Microsoft Excel, Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital takeoff and estimating platforms is preferred

Compensation and benefits

• Base salary of $140,000 – $190,000+, depending on experience
• Additional compensation and benefits may include performance bonuses, vehicle allowance, health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and other company benefits

Why this role

This is an opportunity to take a senior role in estimating complex Caltrans, highway, grading, paving, structural, and airport projects while working closely with experienced operations and executive leadership on some of Southern California's most significant transportation and infrastructure projects.