Estimator, Construction, Civil Engineering

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Fountain Valley, CA, US

14 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Department: Design-Build Construction
Reports To: Director of Design-Build
Classification: Exempt
Normal Business

Hours:

Approx. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Prepared Date: 08/13/2025
Assigned

Location:

Fountain Valley Office
Travel: Occasional travel to project sites or partner offices as required

The Estimator plays a key role in the successful delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects by preparing accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates across design-build, CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), and hard bid projects. Reporting directly to the Director of Design-Build, this position requires a strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and processes in the water/wastewater industry, as well as the ability to collaborate with project managers, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure estimates align with project scope, budget, and schedule requirements.

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and wastewater treatment plant projects, including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor services.
• Prepare detailed scope and bid breakdown packages for trade partners.
• Analyze project plans, specifications, and related documents to identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, and design staff to ensure estimates reflect current design intent and construction feasibility.
• Solicit, review, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive pricing and scope coverage.
• Develop and maintain historical cost data for use in future estimating activities.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal preparation, and project presentations to clients.
• Assist in project budgeting and forecasting during pre-construction and early project stages.
• Collaborate with the scheduling team to ensure cost estimates align with proposed timelines.
• Track market trends in materials, equipment, and labor to maintain competitive and accurate estimates.
• Support project teams during the transition from estimating to construction, ensuring proper handoff of estimate details.
• Maintain compliance with corporate safety and quality standards in all estimating activities.

• Support progressive design-phase estimating from conceptual budgeting through GMP development, aligning cost with evolving design.
• Partner with the design team throughout Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Document phases to validate budget alignment and identify value-engineering opportunities.
• Develop and refine GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) estimates in coordination with the Construction Manager and project owner during preconstruction.
• Solicit, level, and negotiate trade partner bids to support GMP buyout, maintaining transparent, open-book cost reporting throughout preconstruction.
• Participate in constructability reviews and owner/CM budget reconciliation meetings to balance cost, schedule, and quality goals.

• Prepare complete, competitive lump-sum estimates from finalized bid documents, drawings, and specifications within tight bid deadlines.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and solicit subcontractor/supplier pricing to develop accurate, comprehensive bid packages.
• Review bid documents for scope gaps, ambiguities, and risk, and prepare qualifications and exclusions as needed prior to submission.

• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment plant construction methods, including heavy mechanical, piping, and concrete work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Project, and Outlook; ability to learn and utilize estimating software and project management tools such as Procore.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with clients, team members, and subcontractors.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy…