Chief Estimator - Water​/Wastewater Design Build

Your impact

Support our Design-Build water clients across the U.S. by leading the development of accurate, competitive, and strategic project cost estimates for complex infrastructure projects. As Chief Estimator, you will oversee all estimating functions, ensuring consistency, reliability, and alignment with project objectives across water, wastewater, and water resources programs.

This role plays a critical part in enabling successful project delivery through sound cost management, risk evaluation, and collaboration with project teams and leadership.

• Lead all estimating activities for Design-Build water and wastewater projects
• Establish and maintain estimating standards, tools, procedures, and benchmarking practices
• Provide oversight and final approval of major project estimates and cost models
• Ensure estimates are aligned with project scope, design intent, and execution strategies

• Develop detailed cost estimates across all project phases, including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor scopes
• Perform quantity takeoffs, unit cost analysis, and productivity assessments
• Evaluate construction means and methods to ensure accurate pricing
• Analyze market conditions, labor rates, and supply chain factors impacting cost
• Identify and assess cost risks and uncertainties within project estimates
• Ensure appropriate contingencies, escalation, and risk factors are incorporated
• Validate pricing assumptions and ensure consistency across project estimates
• Support project teams during execution with cost insights, estimate reconciliation, and change order evaluation

• Partner with operations and leadership teams to support proposal pricing and competitive positioning
• Contribute to pricing strategy and commercial alignment for active pursuits
• Participate in client discussions and presentations as needed to support cost-related topics
• Lead, mentor, and develop estimating team members
• Provide technical guidance and oversight for complex estimating efforts
• Promote collaboration between estimating, project management, and construction teams
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in estimating practices

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 15+ years of experience in estimating for water, wastewater, or heavy civil infrastructure projects
• Extensive experience with Design-Build delivery methods
• Strong expertise in cost estimating, construction methods, and pricing strategies
• Proven ability to develop accurate estimates for complex, large-scale projects
• Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), or similar credentials preferred

• Advanced analytical and cost modeling skills
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration skills
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving ability
• Ability to perform in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.

Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $ to $. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.