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Senior Estimator — Heavy Civil Construction

Compensation: $175,000 annually

Location: IRVINE

Employment Type: Full-Time

Software Requirement: InEight/Hard Dollar Estimating

Caltrans / Highway / Bridge Experience: Major Plus

About the Company

We are a well-established heavy civil contractor with a proven track record delivering complex infrastructure projects across California. We specialize in earthwork, grading, paving, highway construction, and structures work — building the roads, bridges, and public infrastructure that communities depend on. We are seeking a Senior Estimator who brings serious Hard-Dollar bidding experience and the technical instincts to win the right work at the right price.

Role Overview

As Senior Estimator, you will own the full bid cycle on large-scale heavy civil and public works projects — from initial scope review through final bid submission. You will work directly with operations leadership, project managers, and field teams to produce accurate, defensible hard dollar estimates that reflect real conditions and give us a competitive edge. If you have Caltrans, highway, or bridge estimating experience, you will step into a role where that expertise is immediately valued.

What You'll Do

Estimating & Bidding

• Develop comprehensive hard dollar cost estimates for heavy civil projects including excavation, grading, paving, drainage, underground utilities, and structural work.

• Build and manage complete bids end-to-end in InEight Estimate (formerly Hard Dollar), leveraging its cost library, production rate database, and bid management tools to produce clean, auditable bid packages.

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from civil, structural, and traffic drawings — ensuring full scope capture and accurate unit pricing.

• Prepare lump sum, unit price, and design-build estimates depending on project delivery method.

Caltrans & Public Works

• Apply working knowledge of Caltrans Standard Specifications, Standard Plans, and contract requirements when estimating state highway, freeway, and bridge projects.

• Navigate public agency bidding requirements including DBE documentation, prevailing wage compliance, and bid bond requirements.

• Interpret plan sheets, geotechnical reports, environmental documents, and special provisions to identify scope, risk, and opportunity.

Strategy & Collaboration

• Collaborate with project managers, field superintendents, and operations leadership to ensure estimates reflect real-world execution strategies and crew productivity.

• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier bids — vetting scope coverage, exclusions, and pricing to build a complete and competitive bid.

• Lead value engineering assessments to identify cost-reduction opportunities and alternate construction methods without compromising project quality or schedule.

• Participate in bid review meetings and present estimate assumptions, risk areas, and markup recommendations to leadership.

Data & Records

• Maintain accurate bid records, historical cost data, and project files in InEight and Microsoft Excel.

• Conduct post-bid analysis to capture lessons learned and continuously refine estimating benchmarks and production rates.

• Support project buyout and handoff to operations teams following contract award.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction (earthwork, grading, paving, underground utilities, or structures).

• Hands-on, daily proficiency with Hard Dollar Estimate— this is a non-negotiable requirement.

• Demonstrated experience with hard dollar, lump sum, and unit price bidding on public works projects.

• Strong command of quantity takeoff methodologies and plan reading across civil, structural, and traffic drawings.

• Thorough understanding of construction means and methods, crew productivity, and equipment costs for heavy civil work.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for cost modeling, bid tabulations, and data analysis.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present and defend estimates to leadership and owners.

Major Plus — Highly Preferred

? Experience estimating Caltrans highway, freeway, or bridge projects — including familiarity with Caltrans Standard Specifications, DBE requirements, and PS&E processes.

? Background in bridge or structures estimating (falsework, MSE walls, cast-in-place concrete, prestressed concrete).

? Experience with additional estimating platforms such as HCSS HeavyBid or Bid2Win.

? Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.

Compensation & Benefits

Company offers a competitive total compensation package commensurate with experience:

• Base salary: $175,000 depending on qualifications and experience

• Performance-based bonus program

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company profit sharing

• Paid time off and company holidays

• Vehicle allowance or company vehicle (role-dependent)

• Professional development and continuing education support

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.