Senior Estimator​/Preconstruction Lead

Trueline, a long-established employee-owned general contractor with a strong reputation across California, is seeking a Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead to join their team in Bakersfield, CA. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced estimator who can lead a growing estimating function, partner with executive leadership to pursue and win new work, and help shape backlog strategy across multifamily, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects.

The role combines hands-on estimating leadership with business development visibility, making it a strong fit for someone who wants to influence both project pursuit strategy and long-term company growth.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3 estimators and 1 estimating assistant
• Oversee estimating workload, deadlines, quality control, and departmental performance
• Prepare and lead conceptual, design-build, negotiated, and hard-bid estimates across a range of project types
• Review drawings, specifications, takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, general conditions, allowances, contingencies, and final bid strategy
• Partner with company leadership to identify and pursue new project opportunities that strengthen backlog
• Participate in bid strategy, bid/no-bid decisions, value engineering, and pricing discussions
• Serve as a visible client-facing representative in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and preconstruction conversations
• Build and maintain relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and other industry partners
• Help position the company competitively through strong communication, market insight, and strategic estimating support
• Maintain estimating databases, cost history, and benchmarking tools to improve consistency and decision-making
• Support clean turnover to project management after award, including scopes, clarifications, schedules, proposals, and handoff documentation
• Track estimating performance metrics such as estimate accuracy, win rate, profitability, and backlog contribution

• 10+ years of construction estimating experience with a general contractor
• Strong estimating experience in multifamily and commercial construction
• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing an estimating team
• Ability to develop conceptual, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates
• Strong understanding of California construction practices, building code, and market conditions
• Confidence operating in a client-facing leadership role, not solely a back-office estimating function
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage owners, executives, project teams, and subcontractors
• Ability to work onsite in Bakersfield, CA
• Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills

• Experience with multifamily projects ranging from mid-size to large apartment communities
• Exposure to institutional, education, medical, religious, hospitality-style, or light industrial projects
• Experience with value engineering, subcontractor prequalification, and vendor strategy
• Background supporting executive bid presentations, risk reviews, and backlog planning
• Familiarity with tools such as Bluebeam, Plan Swift, RSMeans, Sage Estimating, Autodesk Takeoff, Pro Est, and Microsoft Office
• Interest in improving estimating workflows through technology or AI-assisted takeoff tools
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field
• Certifications such as CMAA, AACE, or CCS

• Base salary in the $200,000-$265,000 range
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Employee ownership through an ESOP
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Company-paid employee medical coverage
• Dental and…