Chief Estimator- Heavy Civil/Highway
Listed on 2026-07-18
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Construction
Civil Engineering, Estimator -
Engineering
Civil Engineering, Estimator
Chief Estimator
- Heavy Civil / Highway
The Chief Estimator is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving estimating strategy, influencing project selection, and supporting long-term business growth. This is not a back‑office function; this role directly partners with executive leadership, clients, and operations teams to shape project pursuits and deliver innovative infrastructure solutions. This position requires deep expertise in heavy civil construction estimating, strong leadership presence, and the ability to guide teams through complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
You’ll be:
- Influencing which projects we pursue and why
- Driving innovation to the benefit of our clients through various collaborative delivery methods (DB, PDB & CM/GC)
- Shaping RLW's long‑term development by tracking opportunities, market trends & mentoring your team.
- Partnering directly with Clients, Designers, Trade Partners, Operations and Executive Leadership
Our Preconstruction teams work on highly complex projects across multiple market segments in the West. That means exposure to:
- A mix of Public and Private infrastructure work
- Design‑Build (DB), Progressive Design‑Build(PDB), CM/GC and Traditional Bid‑Build Projects
- Contracts ranging from $10M to $1B+
- A collaborative culture where preconstruction and field operations truly work as one team
The Chief Estimator plays a critical role in helping lead RLW's estimating function and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on market strategy, pursuit selection, and long‑term business growth.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the overall estimating and preconstruction strategy
- Provides engaged training and mentoring of staff
- Partner with Leadership to identify market opportunities and pursuit strategy
- Mentor and develop Senior and Junior Estimators
Lead by example to creates a culture of accountability, precision, and collaboration
Ownership of Pursuits- Oversee complex infrastructure pursuits including estimates and proposal support with engineering/marketing departments
- Guide bottoms‑up estimate development with a hands‑on approach
- Lead internal bid reviews and client presentations
- Ensure competitive pursuits through development of innovation & strategy
- Work closely with Field Operations to validate and implement pursuit assumptions through extended field involvement
- Understanding of industry production history and current best practices
- Ability to perform constructability reviews with Field Operations
- 10+ years of civil, concrete, earthwork, underground, PCCP, geotechnical, site development and/or similar estimating experience
- Proven experience leading pursuits and estimates in the $20M $100M+ range
- Expert in bottom‑up estimating and subject matter expert in one or more RLW market sectors
- Expert in analyzing alternate methods, sequencing, phasing and quantification
- Experience with public, private and alternative delivery projects
- Expertise in tools such as Bid2
Win, HCSS Heavy Bid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodeck Civil 3D, Bentley, Tekla, Building Connected or similar design and construction software packages - Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or similar field
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management
Expertise in tools such as Bid2
Win, HCSS Heavy Bid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodeck Civil 3D, Bentley, Tekla, Building Connected or similar design and construction software packages
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