Senior Estimator- Rail

Balfour Beatty US; La Verne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Balfour Beatty US in La Verne, CA seeks a Senior Estimator to lead cost estimation for the Rail Region across design-bid-build and design-build projects. You will prepare detailed estimates for rail, transit, heavy civil, stations, and related systems, perform quantity takeoffs, and coordinate with project management, engineering, procurement, and controls to produce reliable bids.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years of estimating experience, proficiency with Bluebeam and HCSS Heavy Bid, and strong

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience on large highway/infrastructure projects.
• Experience with heavy civil/infrastructure scopes and design-build and DBB.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Bluebeam; HCSS Heavy Bid experience.
• Ability to build and manage a P6 CPM schedule.
• Strong communication and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare complete estimates for rail, transit, heavy civil, and related scopes.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications.
• Coordinate with management, engineering, operations, procurement, and controls during estimate development.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor quotations.
• Support proposal preparation, bid reviews, and executive presentations.
• Maintain estimating databases and historical cost records.

Skills

Estimating experience

P6 scheduling

Bluebeam

MS Office

Communication

Tools

Bluebeam

HCSS Heavy Bid

P6 scheduling

Job description

Senior Estimator – Rail Region | La Verne, CA

Balfour Beatty is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Rail Region estimating team in La Verne, California.

The Senior Estimator will possess the knowledge, technical expertise, and industry experience necessary to prepare comprehensive estimates and contract proposals for all phases and scopes of work associated with complex rail infrastructure projects. This role supports a wide range of project types, including rail, transit, heavy civil, station, roadway, utility, traction power, signaling, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), and other related systems and infrastructure improvements.

Working closely with project management, engineering, construction operations, procurement, and project controls teams, the Senior Estimator will develop accurate and reliable cost information that supports informed business decisions throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will be responsible for interpreting project plans, specifications, schedules, and technical requirements; performing detailed quantity takeoffs; soliciting and evaluating subcontractor and supplier pricing; and developing complete project estimates from concept through final bid submission.

This position requires the ability to independently manage and prepare estimates for all scopes of work on both Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build projects. The Senior Estimator will also support risk analysis, value engineering efforts, alternative technical concepts, and estimate reviews to ensure competitive and executable project proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare complete and accurate estimates for rail, transit, heavy civil, station, roadway, utility, traction power, signaling, and MEP scopes of work.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from plans, specifications, and engineering documents.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract requirements to identify project risks and opportunities.
• Coordinate with project management, engineering, operations, procurement, and project controls teams during estimate development.
• Solicit, evaluate, and incorporate subcontractor and supplier quotations into project estimates.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, and indirect cost estimates.
• Support proposal preparation, bid reviews, and executive estimate presentations.
• Participate in value engineering, constructability reviews, and risk assessments.
• Prepare estimates for both Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build pursuits.
• Maintain estimating databases, productivity information, and historical cost records.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience and/or related project management training with large highway projects is preferred.
• Experience with all scopes of a typical heavy civils/infrastructure construction project and the ability to estimate or review all scopes as needed.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel) is required.
• Proficient experience with Bluebeam is required.
• HCSS Heavy Bid experience and/or related software for pricing work is required.
• The capability to build and manage a P6 CPM schedule on projects is preferred.
• Experience with earthwork modeling.
• Strong computer, communication, and time management skills.

The base compensation range for the role of Senior Estimator posted above is $150,000 to $185,000 annually.