Earthwork Project Manager​/Chief Estimator

Job Title: Project Manager / Estimator - Heavy Civil Earthwork |
Experience: 3+ years |
Project Size: $2M+ |
Employment Type: Full time |
Work Model: On site |
Seniority Level: Associate |
Location: West Houston, TX, USA |
Recruit From: Local, within commutable distance

Our client, an established heavy civil contractor, is seeking a Project Manager / Estimator with a strong background in earthwork and site development. This is a hands-on role for someone who can take ownership of a project from the initial estimate and bid through construction, financial management, and closeout.

The ideal candidate has experience estimating and managing $2M+ earthwork projects involving mass excavation, grading, site development, drainage, soil stabilization, and related heavy civil scopes.

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bids for earthwork and heavy civil projects valued at $2M+.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for excavation, grading, cut/fill, soil stabilization, drainage, materials, equipment, and labor.
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical information, and bid documents to determine project scope.
• Develop production rates, equipment requirements, crews, schedules, and project costs.
• Solicit, review, and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal development, negotiations, and project handoffs.
• Manage awarded projects from preconstruction through completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, cost forecasts, and production goals.
• Monitor job costs, productivity, quantities, and overall project profitability.
• Coordinate with field leadership, owners, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, purchase orders, subcontract agreements, and project documentation.
• Identify project risks and opportunities while proactively addressing cost or schedule issues.
• Visit job sites regularly and work closely with field teams to ensure estimates and production assumptions align with actual conditions.
• Maintain strong communication between estimating, operations, field personnel, and company leadership.

• Heavy civil estimating and/or project management experience (3+ years preferred; 2+ years minimum).
• Demonstrated experience with earthwork projects valued at $2M or greater.
• Strong understanding of mass excavation, grading, cut/fill, site development, soil stabilization, and drainage.
• Experience taking a project from estimate through execution and closeout is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and construction documents.
• Strong knowledge of heavy civil equipment, production rates, labor requirements, and construction sequencing.
• Experience with HCSS Heavy Bid, Bluebeam, Excel, AGTEK, or similar estimating/takeoff software preferred.
• Strong cost-management and project financial skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred, but equivalent heavy civil experience will be considered.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience with $2M+ earthwork/sitework projects.
• Background with a self-performing heavy civil or earthwork contractor.
• Experience with mass grading, excavation, detention/retention, drainage, underground scopes, and soil stabilization.
• Strong understanding of hard-bid estimating and field production.
• Someone equally comfortable building the estimate and managing the project after award.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off.
• Truck allowance.
• Additional incentives and benefits based on experience and company structure.