Senior Estimator - Heavy Civil Underground

GWC Capital; Orem (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WW Clyde in Orem, UT is seeking a Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Underground to lead the estimating effort for underground water and wastewater projects ranging from $5M to over $100M. You will own estimate quality from takeoff to bid submission and mentor junior estimators.

You will develop production rates, manage risk, and coordinate with operations and estimating teams to align means, methods, and cost models.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of construction estimating experience in underground utility or water/wastewater work.
• Experience in lead/senior estimator roles with bid-day ownership.
• Experience on large diameter pipeline projects (welded steel, HDPE).
• Strong understanding of underground construction methods (trenching, shoring, dewatering, rock excavation).
• Ability to develop production rates and cost models that hold up in the field.
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
• Experience mentoring estimators or junior staff.
• Willingness to visit jobsites and maintain an insurable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead full cycle estimating for underground water and wastewater projects, including pipelines, structures, treatment facilities, and pump stations.
• Review plans, specs, addenda, and contracts; define scope, assumptions, risk items, and bid requirements.
• Build detailed estimates for self-perform and subcontracted work with takeoffs, rates, crew planning, pricing, and markups.
• Price risk items: shoring, dewatering, rock excavation, traffic control, bypass pumping, and utility conflicts.
• Develop accurate production rates for large diameter pipe installation and related operations.
• Own estimate accuracy; participate in bid reviews and sign-off.
• Track opportunities and provide bid strategy input; monitor letting schedules.
• Solicit and level subcontractor quotes; develop scopes and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Perform site and bid walk assessments to validate quantities and risks.
• Coordinate with operations and estimating teams on means, methods, and cost models.
• Support alternative delivery pursuits (CMAR, CMGC, design-build, joint ventures).
• Maintain estimating databases and improve processes; utilize tools like HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, Trimble.
• Lead and develop less experienced estimators; provide coaching and quality checks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Mentoring

Estimating theory

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Bluebeam

Excel

Trimble

Job description

Overview

POSITION: Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Underground

LOCATION: Orem, UT in office

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Estimator leads the estimating effort for WW Clyde's underground work and is accountable for delivering complete, accurate, and competitive estimates on water and wastewater infrastructure projects ranging from $5M to over $100M. This work includes large diameter water transmission pipelines 36 inches and above in welded steel and HDPE, deep excavation with specialized shoring, groundwater management and bypass pumping, rock excavation, tunneling, concrete structures, mechanical piping, pump stations, and water and wastewater treatment facilities.

This role owns estimate quality from initial takeoff through final bid submission and sign off. The Senior Estimator provides leadership in bid strategy, scope and risk identification, and go/no go recommendations, and mentors the estimators coming up behind them.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead full cycle estimating for underground water and wastewater projects, including pipeline, structures, treatment facilities, and pump stations.
• Review plans, specs, addenda, and contracts. Define scope, assumptions, risk items, and bid requirements.
• Build detailed estimates for self perform and subcontracted work, including takeoffs, production rates, crew and equipment planning, pricing, and markups.
• Price the risk items that drive underground jobs: shoring systems and excavation depth, dewatering and groundwater control, rock excavation, traffic control, bypass pumping, and utility conflicts.
• Develop accurate production rates for large diameter pipe installation in welded steel and HDPE, including fusion, welding, testing, and backfill operations.
• Own estimate accuracy and completeness. Participate in bid reviews and take accountability for final numbers and bid package sign off.
• Track and evaluate upcoming opportunities. Maintain awareness of municipal, district, and agency letting schedules and provide leadership input on go/no go decisions.
• Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and supplier quotes. Develop scopes and negotiate pricing and terms, including long lead pipe and material procurement.
• Perform jobsite and bid walk assessments to validate quantities, access, staging, groundwater conditions, and constructability risk.
• Coordinate with operations, equipment, and estimating teams to align means and methods, schedule strategy, and cost models.
• Support alternative delivery pursuits including CMAR, CMGC, design build, and joint ventures by contributing to technical approach, pricing strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain estimating databases, historical cost data, and lessons learned. Improve estimating processes and tools including HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, and Trimble.
• Lead, mentor, and develop less experienced estimators in estimating theory, takeoff methods, production rate development, and bid day readiness. Provide coaching and quality checks that grow their capability and confidence.
• Ensure estimating work reflects WW Clyde safety and environmental standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 10+ years of construction estimating experience with significant time estimating underground utility, pipeline, or water and wastewater infrastructure work.
• Prior experience in a lead or senior estimator role with ownership of estimates through bid day.
• Demonstrated experience building estimates on large diameter pipeline projects, including welded steel and HDPE.
• Strong understanding of underground construction methods including trenching, shoring systems, dewatering, bypass pumping, rock excavation, and pipeline testing and commissioning.
• Proven ability to develop production rates, plan crews and equipment spreads, and build a cost model that holds up in the field.
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing estimators or junior staff.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present estimates and risk clearly to leadership.
• Ability to visit jobsites and attend bid walks as needed. Must maintain an insurable driving record

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience on estimates exceeding $100M and managing multiple large estimates simultaneously.
• Alternative delivery experience including CMAR, CMGC, design build, or joint venture pursuits.
• Familiarity with the Utah and Intermountain West water market, including municipalities, water districts, and their standards and specifications.
• Experience with treatment plant, pump station, or mechanical process piping estimating.
• Familiarity with Trimble Business Center, Agtek, or similar takeoff tools, and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6.
• Prior field experience in underground construction.

To learn more about WW Clyde and our work, visit wwclyde.net.

*As part of our hiring process, all candidates are subject to a comprehensive background check. Please note that our company maintains a strict policy regarding certain convictions. Applicants with a DUI or felony conviction may not meet eligibility requirements for employment in this position. Offer/ Start Date is contingent upon a successful background check and preemployment drug screen (including THC)

WW Clyde is an "Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/PWDNET" Employer