Chief Estimator

Overview:
The Chief Estimator - Water / Wastewater Construction is responsible for leading the estimating department and overseeing all preconstruction, budgeting, and bid activities for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role provides strategic direction for estimating efforts involving treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, pipelines, utility relocations, and related civil infrastructure. The Chief Estimator works closely with executive leadership, operations, business development, and project management teams to deliver accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates that support the company's growth strategy.

Location & Travel Details:

This is an onsite executive leadership role based in Dallas, Texas. Some travel to project sites and company offices may be required. Relocation assistance is available.

This role offers a competitive executive-level compensation package and the opportunity to lead estimating strategy for a growing water and wastewater infrastructure contractor.

Company Overview

McKee Utility Contractors is a family-founded and operated company with over 40 years of proven expertise in water and wastewater line installation, tunneling, and boring, and concrete structure construction. Since our beginning, we have been dedicated to delivering the critical infrastructure that strengthens communities and supports a higher quality of life.

Our deep knowledge of soil bore analysis, local environments, and regional regulations - combined with our uncompromising commitment to safety, precise budgeting, on-time delivery, and strategic planning - has established McKee as a trusted partner for reliable, efficient water and wastewater system construction across multiple regions.

McKee is part of the Mas Tec Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CE&I) business segment. The CE&I segment generates over $4.5 billion in annual revenue, providing construction services across our renewables, industrial, infrastructure, and general building operating groups. Sustainability and safety are foundational to our culture and influence everything we do.

Mas Tec, a minority-owned Fortune 500 company, has shaped the construction industry for more than 90 years. With over 35,000 employees and 400 offices nationwide, we provide flexibility and career growth in dynamic work environments. Join one of the largest construction firms in the country (Engineering News-Record ENR : in Power, Top 50 Domestic Heavy Contractors, Transportation Contractor).

Responsibilities:

• Lead all bid preparation, takeoffs, and cost estimates for new opportunities
• Manage the estimating team and the pipeline of active and pending bids
• Develop and maintain unit cost databases, labor rates, and crew productivity standards
• Review final bid packages and assume responsibility for accuracy and competitiveness
• Build relationships with prime contractors, project owners, and design engineers
• Recommend bid/no-bid decisions in coordination Executive Leadership
• Analyze post-award win/loss reasons and refine estimating methodologies
• Coordinate with Operations on schedule, productivity assumptions, and constructability
• Lead change order pricing and claim preparation for active projects
• Maintain estimating software, templates, and historical project databases
• Forecast revenue pipeline and report bid win rates and backlog to Executive Leadership
• Mentor and develop estimating staff and identify training needs

Qualifications:

Work Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil, utility, water, or wastewater construction.
• 5+ years in a senior estimating leadership role preferred.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, lift stations, pipelines, utility infrastructure, and civil site work.
• Experience managing large, complex estimates and multi-discipline project scopes.
• Proven ability to lead bid reviews, develop pricing strategies, and manage estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, production rates, labor…