Senior Estimator – Underground Wet Utilities

Location: San Fernando Valley / Los Angeles County, California | Schedule: Full-time, on-site | Compensation: $175,000–$200,000 per year

Overview

A heavy civil infrastructure contractor is seeking a Senior Estimator – Underground Utilities to lead estimating and bid preparation for major underground wet utility and heavy civil projects. This hands-on role is ideal for an experienced estimator currently active in bidding large infrastructure work, playing a key part in securing and shaping major public works projects.

What you'll do

• Prepare detailed estimates for underground utility and heavy civil projects
• Perform and oversee quantity takeoffs for water, sewer, storm drain, and related infrastructure
• Develop detailed labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor costs
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, addenda, and historical cost information
• Develop crew compositions, production rates, and construction means and methods
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and project site visits
• Identify project risks, constructability issues, and unusual bid requirements
• Assist with preliminary schedules and general conditions pricing
• Organize bid packages and supporting estimate documentation
• Lead estimate reviews with senior management
• Mentor and coordinate estimating/takeoff engineers
• Manage multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of heavy civil estimating, preconstruction, or operations experience
• 5+ years of underground utility estimating experience, including water, sanitary sewer, and storm drain
• Strong experience bidding major heavy civil infrastructure projects
• Strong knowledge of wet utilities, pipeline construction, excavation, shoring, trenching, backfill, and restoration
• Ability to read plans, specifications, and geotechnical reports
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, equipment, crew compositions, quantities, and unit costs
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred
• Experience with Underground Wet Utilities, Water Distribution & Transmission, Sanitary Sewer, Storm Drain, Large-Diameter Pipelines, Deep Utilities, Trenching & Excavation, Shoring & Dewatering, Heavy Civil Infrastructure, Earthwork, Public Works, and Major Municipal Infrastructure Projects
• Experience with microtunneling, jack-and-bore, pipe jacking, or other trenchless construction methods is a plus
• Experience with estimating and construction software such as HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Microsoft Excel, and Bid Management & Plan Room Software

Compensation and benefits

• Base Salary: $175,000–$200,000, depending on experience

Why this role

This is an opportunity to lead estimating on major heavy civil infrastructure projects, mentor fellow estimators, and play a central role in winning large-scale underground utility work.