Senior / Chief Heavy Civil EstimatorGrading Underground Utilities Site Development Structures Get paid what your experience is worth. Join a highly respected heavy civil contractor with a strong market reputation, substantial backlog, and a proven track record of successful project delivery. This is an opportunity for an experienced estimator to take ownership of complex, large-scale civil pursuits and play a critical role in determining which projects the company pursues, how they are priced, and ultimately how profitably they are executed. The company offers a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, relocation assistance, comprehensive benefits, 401(k) with company match, and a defined path for long-term career advancement. Position Overview We are seeking a Senior/Chief Estimator with deep experience in site development, mass grading, earthwork, underground utilities, and/or structures to lead the estimating process from initial opportunity evaluation through final bid and project turnover. This is a full-cycle estimating and preconstruction leadership role . The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating opportunities, developing competitive and profitable estimates, identifying project risks, leading subcontractor and vendor solicitation, developing proposals, and partnering with operations leadership through project handoff. The ideal candidate has experience estimating and negotiating large-scale civil construction projects up to and beyond $30M , including negotiated and alternative delivery methods such as CMAR, CM/GC, Design-Build, and other collaborative delivery models .

Compensation & Benefits Base Salary:

$140,000-$180,000+ DOE Performance-based bonus opportunities Medical, Dental & Vision 401(k) with company match Company vehicle or vehicle allowance Paid vacation, sick time and holidays Relocation assistance available Long-term advancement opportunities Core ResponsibilitiesEstimating & Preconstruction Leadership Lead the estimating process for large-scale earthwork, grading, underground utility, site development, and civil infrastructure projects. Evaluate and qualify potential opportunities based on scope, schedule, contract requirements, risk, resources, competition, and anticipated profitability. Establish estimating strategies and develop comprehensive, accurate, and competitive bids. Perform and/or oversee detailed quantity takeoffs, production analysis, material pricing, equipment requirements, labor assumptions, subcontractor pricing, and general conditions. Analyze plans, specifications, addenda, geotechnical information, schedules, and other contract documents to identify scope requirements, exclusions, risks, and opportunities. Develop detailed conceptual and hard-bid estimates from preliminary design through final construction documents. Review historical production data, cost history, equipment utilization, labor productivity, and market conditions to establish realistic pricing and production assumptions. Develop appropriate contingency, escalation, general conditions, and risk assumptions based on project-specific conditions. Establish project profitability targets and provide recommendations to executive leadership regarding bid strategy and pursuit decisions. Business Development & Negotiated Work Participate in preconstruction strategy for negotiated, competitive, and alternative delivery projects. Develop and review proposals, scopes of work, bid qualifications, value-engineering opportunities, and technical narratives. Participate in owner, developer, engineer, and general contractor meetings throughout the pursuit process. Support proposal development for CMAR, CM/GC, Design-Build, and other negotiated delivery methods . Develop relationships with key subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, owners, developers, and industry partners. Negotiate subcontractor and vendor pricing and terms to maximize competitiveness while protecting project margins. Identify opportunities for value engineering and alternative construction approaches. Project Risk & Handoff Identify contractual, technical, schedule, site, environmental, geotechnical, utility, and constructability risks during the estimating process. Clearly document assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, and qualifications within each estimate. Coordinate closely with Project Management and Field Operations to validate constructability, production assumptions, sequencing, and resource requirements. Conduct comprehensive estimate reviews prior to bid submission. Lead the transition from estimating to operations and ensure the Project Manager receives a complete understanding of the estimate, scope, assumptions, risks, and commercial strategy. Remain engaged during the early stages of project execution to support alignment between the estimate and field operations. Essential Duties Own and manage the estimating pipeline and bid calendar. Analyze and vet bid opportunities to determine strategic and financial viability. Lead or participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, owner meetings, and project pursuit meetings. Interpret civil plans, specifications, contract documents, addenda, and technical requirements. Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and validate quantities against project documents. Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals. Develop accurate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates. Review historical production rates and project cost data to establish reliable estimating assumptions. Develop complete and well-organized estimates within established deadlines. Analyze project margins and recommend appropriate pricing and profitability targets. Identify scope gaps, conflicts, exclusions, and potential change-order opportunities before bid submission. Prepare bid summaries and present estimating recommendations to senior leadership. Support proposal preparation, including technical writing, project approach, schedules, and qualifications. Maintain strong communication with estimating, operations, project management, field personnel, vendors, subcontractors, and customers. Provide a comprehensive project turnover package to the assigned Project Manager. Required Qualifications 7+ years of progressive estimating experience with a self-performing heavy civil contractor. Demonstrated expertise in earthwork, mass grading, underground utilities, site development, and/or structures . Experience estimating projects ranging from $10M to $30M+ . Demonstrated experience with negotiated and competitive bid environments. Experience with CMAR, CM/GC, Design-Build, or other alternative delivery methods strongly preferred. Strong understanding of civil construction means and methods, production rates, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor pricing, and project risk. Ability to independently develop estimates from plans and specifications through final bid. Strong understanding of project financials, cost control, margins, and profitability. Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and technical writing skills. Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline preferred; equivalent construction experience will be considered. Proficiency with Bluebeam and construction estimating software required. Experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project , or other scheduling/project management platforms preferred. What We're Looking For This opportunity is designed for an estimator who has moved beyond simply putting numbers together and understands how estimating decisions impact the entire life cycle of a project. The ideal candidate thinks strategically about: Scope → Risk → Production → Cost → Price → Margin → Execution You should be comfortable challenging assumptions, identifying risk before it becomes a problem, communicating directly with operations and leadership, and taking ownership of the accuracy and profitability of the work you estimate. Onsite position. Relocation assistance available and negotiable. All searches are conducted with the utmost discretion. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process for both candidates and clients. About Strata Civil Strata Civil is a specialized executive search and talent solutions firm serving the construction and civil infrastructure industry nationwide. Our experienced recruiters specialize in connecting high-caliber construction professionals with leading contractors, developers, and infrastructure firms. We are committed to delivering exceptional service through professionalism, transparency, integrity, and a relationship-driven approach that helps companies build stronger teams and professionals advance their careers. Strata Civil is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay:

$140,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person