Senior Estimator - Federal & Secure Construction

About Our Client:

Our client is a specialty general contractor with a national reputation for delivering complex, high-security federal projects. With a self-performing model and a growing portfolio across SCIF/SAPF, secure and hardened facilities, force protection, and federal renovations, they support some of the most sensitive missions in the U.S. National Security ecosystem.

They're now hiring a Senior Estimator to help lead their preconstruction and estimating function, contribute to pursuit strategy, and mentor a small team as the business continues to grow.

This is a senior-level estimating position with genuine ownership. You'll lead estimates on complex federal, secure, and hardened construction pursuits, from conceptual budgeting through hard bid and GMP, and play a key role in shaping how the business wins and delivers work.

You'll also help develop the estimating function, with the opportunity to mentor up to two direct reports and influence process, tooling, and pursuit strategy.

• Lead full estimates on federal, secure, and hardened construction pursuits, including SCIF/SAPF, force protection, and federal renovation projects
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and hard bid estimates with a high degree of accuracy
• Perform quantity takeoffs, unit pricing, and subcontractor bid analysis across all divisions of work
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and vendor pricing
• Prepare and present detailed cost narratives, assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions
• Contribute to value engineering exercises and constructability reviews
• Support GMP negotiations and change order pricing

• Partner with business development on pursuit strategy for federal and secure construction opportunities
• Attend site visits, pre-bid meetings, and client presentations
• Build strong relationships with federal clients, agencies, and prime contractors
• Contribute to proposal writing and pricing narratives for competitive bids
• Mentor and support up to two estimating team members
• Help develop estimating standards, templates, and best practices
• Support recruitment and onboarding of future estimating hires as the team grows

• Partner with project management and field teams to ensure accurate budget handoffs
• Coordinate with engineering, design, and security consultants to align cost with technical requirements
• Provide historical cost data and market intelligence to inform pursuit decisions

Required

• 8+ years of construction estimating experience, with at least 3+ years at a senior level
• Direct experience estimating federal government construction projects (GSA, USACE, DoD, or similar)
• Strong knowledge of federal contracting vehicles, delivery methods, and pricing structures
• Ability to lead estimates from conceptual through hard bid and GMP
• Proficient in estimating software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, Win Est, Heavy Bid, or similar)
• Strong subcontractor network in the DMV region
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present pricing narratives to clients and leadership

• Direct experience estimating SCIF/SAPF, secure, or hardened construction projects
• Familiarity with ICD 705
  , TEMPEST, RF shielding, and secure facility standards
• Active security clearance (Secret or TS/SCI), or eligibility to obtain one
• Previous experience mentoring or managing junior estimators
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Familiarity with USACE EM 385-1-1, GSA, and DoD project requirements

• Competitive base salary (commensurate with experience)
• Performance-based bonus
• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match
• PTO: Generous vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
• Hybrid Flexibility: Balance of in-office and remote work considered
• Career Growth: Genuine opportunity to help shape the estimating function and grow into a leadership role as the business expands

This is a chance to join a specialty GC with a strong reputation in one of the most niche and defensible corners of the construction market. You won't be lost in a huge national estimating department. You'll have direct access to leadership, meaningful ownership of pursuits, and the chance to influence how the business wins and delivers work supporting the U.S. national security mission.

If you're a senior estimator who wants to work on genuinely complex, high-stakes projects and be recognized for it, this is worth a conversation.