Senior Heavy Civil Estimator — Lead Bids, Risk & Profit

AIS Infrastructure; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k plan

Life insurance

Short & Long-Term Disability

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

AIS Infrastructure is seeking a Senior Heavy Civil Construction Estimator to lead cost estimates for large-scale projects such as highways, bridges, and utilities. You will drive bid strategy, risk analysis, and pricing decisions in preconstruction.

You will collaborate with operations, project managers, and executives to develop winning proposals while upholding AIS safety standards and financial objectives. Strong leadership, communication, and software skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Proven experience leading estimates on large, complex projects.
• Advanced knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, means, and sequencing.
• Strong financial acumen to evaluate profitability and risk.
• Expertise in cost estimating software (e.g., HCSS HeavyBid, Vista, Excel).
• Ability to lead bid reviews with executive leadership.
• Strong negotiation and subcontractor management skills.
• Attention to detail for multi-phase estimates.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of cost estimates for large civil projects.
• Analyze plans, specs, geotechnical data to understand scope and risks.
• Develop bid strategies, pricing, and risk positioning.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for labor, materials, equipment, and subs.
• Lead subcontractor outreach and bid leveling.
• Identify risks and contingencies.
• Collaborate with operations and project managers to validate assumptions.
• Present estimates to executive leadership for bid approval.
• Support negotiations and value engineering.
• Mentor junior estimators and staff.
• Maintain estimating databases and historical data.
• Stay current on market trends and pricing.

Skills

Cost estimating

Bid strategy

Subcontractor management

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

Vista

Excel models

Job description

AIS Infrastructure is seeking a Senior Heavy Civil Construction Estimator to lead cost estimates for large-scale projects such as highways, bridges, and utilities. You will drive bid strategy, risk analysis, and pricing decisions in preconstruction.

You will collaborate with operations, project managers, and executives to develop winning proposals while upholding AIS safety standards and financial objectives. Strong leadership, communication, and software skills are essential.