Senior Estimator - Heavy Civil Construction AIS Infrastructure. Chattanooga LilyLif

Chattanooga, TN, USA | AIS Infrastructure | Full Time

The AIS Infrastructure Group consists of four heavy civil construction companies. Our services include infrastructure improvement, heavy civil construction, and site development for government and state agencies and private enterprise across the United States. We do a wide variety of heavy civil projects, including highways, bridges, DOT work, power plants, dams and reservoirs, underground utilities, and more.

We are Heavy Civil Construction and Sitework experts, but we specialize in providing peace of mind.

AIS Infrastructure Group is part of a family of companies unified by purpose to deliver safe, reliable solutions to our clients' unique challenges. We are committed to providing superior service and leaving things better than we found them.

The Senior Estimator is responsible for leading the preparation of accurate, competitive, and strategic cost estimates for complex heavy civil construction projects. This role plays a critical leadership function in preconstruction, driving bid strategy, risk analysis, and pricing decisions that directly impact project success and company profitability.

The Senior Estimator partners with operations, project management, and executive leadership to develop winning proposals while ensuring alignment with AIS Infrastructure's safety standards, operational capabilities, and financial objectives.

• Lead the development of comprehensive cost estimates for large-scale and complex civil construction projects (e.g., highways, bridges, utilities, infrastructure).
• Analyze project plans, specifications, geotechnical data, and contract documents to fully understand scope, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop bid strategies, including pricing approach, subcontracting strategy, and risk positioning.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
• Lead subcontractor and supplier outreach, bid leveling, and scope alignment.
• Identify project risks and opportunities and incorporate them into estimate assumptions and contingencies.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Superintendents, and Project Managers to validate means, methods, and production assumptions.
• Present estimates and recommendations to executive leadership for bid approval.
• Support negotiations, value engineering efforts, and contract development.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior estimators and support staff.
• Maintain and improve estimating databases, historical cost data, and benchmarking tools.
• Stay current on market trends, labor conditions, material pricing, and competitive landscape.

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7 years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Proven experience leading estimates on large, complex projects.
• Office-based with regular collaboration with operations teams.
• Occasional travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and client engagements.
• May require extended hours during bid cycles.
• Strong understanding of contract types, procurement methods, and bid structures.
• Ability to interpret and analyze risk in contract language and project requirements.
• Experience with cost databases and benchmarking tools.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability under tight deadlines.
• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines and high-pressure bid environments.
• Occasional field exposure requiring walking and navigating active construction sites.

• Professional certifications (e.g., CCP, PMP)
• Experience with DOT, USACE, or other public infrastructure projects strongly preferred.

AIS Infrastructure Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.