Job Description

A well-established heavy civil contractor is hiring a Senior Estimator to take a lead role on its largest and most strategic pursuits. This is a backfill with a built-in growth runway: the current Senior Estimator is moving up into a Chief Estimator role, and this hire is being brought in to step into that seat and, over time, follow the same path.

If you've been running heavy civil bids independently and want a clear line of sight to a Chief Estimator role at a growing firm, without changing what you actually love doing, this one is worth a conversation.

What You'll Own

You'll lead estimates across a meaningful range of project sizes and delivery methods, with an emphasis on the larger, more complex pursuits the firm is building its future around:

• Caltrans, CMGC, and design-build pursuits in the $20M–$175M+ range, including joint-venture bids with national-tier partners
• Smaller municipal and county paving and grading work ($1M–$10M) when needed to support the broader estimating team
• Full bid ownership: quantity takeoffs, subcontractor and supplier negotiations, RFIs, risk and constructability analysis, value engineering, and bid-day strategy
• Direct collaboration with field operations, project managers, and ownership on bid reviews and estimator-to-operations handoffs
• Business development conversations with owners, GCs, and JV partners across Northern California
• Eventual oversight of one to two junior estimators as the team grows

What We're Looking For

• 8+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil or highway construction, with a track record of running bids independently
• Track record on public works pursuits Caltrans experience is a strong plus, as is exposure to CMGC and joint-venture delivery
• Self-perform paving, grading, underground, and infrastructure background aligns best with this firm's scope
• Strong command of AGTEK, Bluebeam, and Primavera HCSS HeavyBid is strongly preferred (and signals you've done real heavy civil work)
• Working knowledge of (U)DBE requirements
• Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent experience
• The kind of estimator who can sit across the table from a GC, a JV partner, or an owner and hold their own

Compensation & Logistics

• Base salary in the low $200Ks, with meaningful flexibility for the right person.
• Full benefits, bonus structure, and exempt status
• Relocation assistance available and negotiable for strong out-of-area candidates
• Onsite role at the main office in Northern California, with regional travel for client meetings, job walks, and preconstruction. No significant overnight travel expected
• Reports to the VP of Estimating; sits on the executive side of the office

Worth knowing up front:

The growth path is real, not theoretical. The person currently in this seat is moving up, and the firm is being open about wanting this hire to follow the same trajectory into Chief Estimator.