Chief Estimator - Underground Utilities

Chief Estimator – Heavy Civil / Sitework
Location: San Jose, CA (Projects typically within a 50-mile radius)
Company: Employee-Owned Heavy Civil / Sitework Contractor

Position Summary

Our Client, an employee-owned heavy civil contractor, is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead and grow our estimating team. Working as part of the executive leadership team, this role will oversee all preconstruction and estimating efforts for public and private projects, focusing on concrete, asphalt, and underground utilities.

The Chief Estimator will drive revenue growth from $45–$50M to $65–$75M, support bids for projects up to $20M, and mentor a team of three estimators (2 senior, 1 junior). This is a hands-on leadership role for a strategic thinker passionate about high-quality civil construction and efficient digital workflows, including HCSS HeavyBid.

Company Overview

• Receive company-funded retirement contributions equal to approximately an additional 25% of annual salary through the ESOP program and 401(k) matching.

• Act as a hands-on individual contributor, helping drive a 50% increase in company revenue while maintaining or increasing profitability through continued client diversification and expanding project size capabilities to $20M+.

• Lead and develop a small three-person estimating team, continuing best-practice implementation and standardized procedures within the HCSS HeavyBid estimating software.
• Be an integral part of a small four-person Executive Leadership Team, driving company growth and long-term strategy.

• Current revenue: $45–$50M; target revenue: $65–$75M.

• Core clients: San Jose Water, PG&E, Cal Water, Cal America.

• Private work includes self-performed concrete, asphalt, and underground utilities.

• Typical project size: $200K–$500K; Would like to diversify project size: up to $20M.

• Geographic focus: Bay Area, within 50 miles of San Jose, CA.

• Emphasis on leveraging digital tools and data-driven workflows to improve estimating accuracy and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Estimating Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the estimating team, managing assignments, reviews, and process standardization.

• Develop estimating strategies to support company growth while maintaining target margins.

• Make go/no-go decisions for opportunities based on client, project type, and profitability.

• Standardize estimating processes, assumptions, and deliverables across the team.

2. Bid Preparation & Execution

• Prepare and oversee detailed estimates for concrete, asphalt, underground utilities, and related civil scopes.

• Lead bid reviews to ensure accurate quantities, labor, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.

• Coordinate with operations and project management to validate production rates and constructability.

• Manage bid day activities, finalizing numbers, confirming subcontractor quotes, and submitting competitive proposals.

3. Team Management & Development

• Supervise and mentor 2 senior and 1 junior estimator.

• Provide guidance on scopes, priorities, and technical estimating practices.

• Foster team growth and develop junior estimators into more senior roles.

• Balance workloads to ensure timely and accurate delivery of estimates.

4. Client, Vendor & Stakeholder Interaction

• Build strong relationships with core clients, private owners, subcontractors, and suppliers.

• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and RFIs to clarify scope and conditions.

• Support business development through conceptual estimates and pricing guidance.

5. Process Improvement & Digital Tools

• Serve as the subject matter expert on HCSS Heavy Bid; maintain cost databases, crews, and templates.

• Integrate digital tools to improve takeoff accuracy, pricing reliability, and historical cost tracking.

• Drive continuous improvement in estimate accuracy, turnaround times, and handoffs to operations.

6. Risk Management & Handoff

• Identify and communicate risks, assumptions, and exclusions.

• Lead estimate review meetings with leadership and project teams.

• Ensure detailed turnover packages for operations including production assumptions, subcontractor info, and clarifications.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in construction with heavy civil/sitework focus or 15+ years in estimating.

• Expertise: Concrete, asphalt, underground utilities, and civil construction.

• Software: Advanced proficiency in HCSS Heavy Bid (required).

• Technical Skills: Understanding of civil means and methods, production rates, equipment, crews, and reading plans/specs.

• Leadership: Experience leading and developing an estimating team; implementing standardized procedures and templates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public utility clients and agencies like San Jose Water, PG&E, Cal Water, Cal America.

• Familiarity with Bay Area construction market conditions.

• Proven success on larger projects ($5M–$20M) and scaling company revenue.

• Interest in leveraging digital construction tools especially HCSS Heavybid.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and decision-making.

• Detail orientation with accurate takeoffs and sound assumptions.

• Strong communication and leadership skills.

• Ownership mindset aligned with ESOP culture.

• Effective time management across multiple projects.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on experience and market.

• ESOP / Employee ownership (~25% of salary in retirement contributions).

• Standard benefits: health, dental, vision, PTO, etc.

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

Success Metrics

• Revenue growth toward $65–$75M while maintaining margins.

• Successful pursuit of larger projects up to $20M.

• Estimating team development and improved accuracy.

• Strengthened client relationships and expanded opportunities and client base.

• Consistent use of standardized estimating processes and Heavy Bid practices.

Ready to take the next step in your construction leadership career?

Apply Now!

To explore this opportunity, send your resume to taylorm@hcrc.us

For additional information or a confidential discussion, contact Taylor Maurer, Senior Managing Partner, at 828-231-1666.