Heavy Civil Construction
Compensation: $190,000 annually
Location: IRVINE
Employment Type: Full-Time
Software Requirement: InEight/Hard Dollar
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
You will work directly with operations leadership, and field teams. If you have Caltrans, highway, or bridge estimating experience, you will step into a role where that expertise is immediately valued.
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.
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
• 5+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction (earthwork, grading, paving, underground utilities, or structures).
• 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: $190,000 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.