Sr. Estimator

DEB Construction, LLC; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

DEB Construction, LLC is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction for complex commercial, healthcare, and critical facilities projects. You will mentor staff, refine pricing strategy, and perform constructability reviews while maintaining high standards of integrity and accuracy.

You will collaborate with the Preconstruction Manager, BD and Marketing teams to pursue opportunities, develop proposals, and present pricing to clients.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of commercial construction estimating experience
• Healthcare/financial/critical facilities project exposure preferred
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Proficiency with estimating software and cost databases

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle estimating and preconstruction from conceptual budgeting to final pricing.
• Develop detailed estimates, narratives, assumptions, and value engineering strategies.
• Manage subcontractor outreach, scope development, and bid reviews.
• Lead quantity takeoffs and validate subcontractor proposals with internal cost models.
• Provide client-facing pricing discussions and mentorship to junior staff.
• Ensure seamless turnover from preconstruction to project execution.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Mentorship

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Procore

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Senior Estimator leads estimating and preconstruction efforts for complex commercial, healthcare, financial, and critical facilities projects. This role is responsible for estimate accuracy, pricing strategy, constructability review, mentorship of estimating staff, and client-facing cost discussions. The Senior Estimator exercises independent judgment and professional discretion while representing DEB Construction with technical expertise, integrity, and sound decision-making throughout the preconstruction process.

The Senior Estimator works under the direction of the Preconstruction Manager is accountable for the accuracy, completeness and auditability of project estimates. The Senior Estimator collaborates closely with DEB Construction’s Business Development Manager and Marketing Coordinator during pursuits, proposal development, and client presentations, and works cross-functionally with project teams to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction to project execution.

Key Responsibilities

This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. The Senior Estimator may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Lead full-cycle estimating and preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting to final pricing.
• Develop detailed estimates, narratives, clarifications, assumptions, and value engineering strategies.
• Manage subcontractor outreach, scope development, proposal review, and bid leveling.
• Lead detailed all-trade quantity takeoffs to clearly define scopes of work, critically evaluate and validate subcontractor proposals, and develop independent internal cost models to ensure complete, accurate, and defensible project estimates
• Validate pricing using cost databases, productivity factors, and historical cost data.
• Evaluate construction methods, phasing and project constraints.
• Identify and quantify constructability issues, cost risks, value engineering and budget optimization opportunities, and contingency recommendations.
• Lead bid reviews, internal estimate reviews, and client-facing pricing discussions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to Junior Estimators and Estimators.
• Coordinate closely with project management teams to ensure a seamless turnover from preconstruction to project execution.
• Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and Marketing/Proposal Coordinator during pursuits, proposal development, and client presentations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of historical cost data, unit cost libraries, and benchmarking tools.
• Support estimating standards, documentation consistency, and best practices in alignment with DEB procedures.

Experience Required

• 8+ years of commercial construction estimating including a minimum of 1 year focused on healthcare, financial, or critical facilities projects. [at least 50% of experience with a General Contractor]
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple estimates and teams concurrently.
• Bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Must be proficient in or capable of quickly learning Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, BidMail, Bluebeam, Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Project), OST, PlanSwift, AI-assisted estimating software or equivalent.

Physical Requirements

• Requires work indoors and outdoors in office and/or job/construction sites.
• Requires visiting job/construction sites in a personal vehicle.
• Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required, including boots, hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
• Must physically inspect job/construction sites, which may include non-ADA compliant surfaces, tight spaces, elevations, rooftops, or uneven terrain.
• Must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding to access work areas.
• May be exposed to hazards associated with construction sites, loud environments, hazardous equipment, and varying weather conditions
• This job description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change at the discretion of DEB Construction, LLC.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.