Principal Estimator — Heavy Civil Infrastructure

Step into a Lead Role Shaping Public Works Wins Picture your day as our Principal Estimator: you start by reviewing plans, standard specs, special provisions, geotechnical reports, and addenda for a mix of municipal, county, utility authority, state-funded, and private development pursuits. Bluebeam and Excel are open as you build meticulous takeoffs for roadway, drainage, storm sewer, water and sanitary utilities (wet and dry), concrete flatwork, and structural concrete.

By midday, Heavy Bid becomes your sandbox—calibrating production rates with crew performance data, historical cost trends, and owner-specific bid item structures to assemble a competitive estimate. The afternoon is all about alignment—scoping subcontractors and suppliers, tracking quotes, validating constructability with Project Managers and Superintendents, and ensuring DBE, HUB, EEO, and other participation program requirements are fully met. You close the day documenting assumptions, organizing bid logs and calendars, and mentoring teammates on estimating best practices.

What You'll Tackle Translate plans, specs, provisions, geotechnical reports, and addenda into accurate, compliant, and competitive heavy civil estimates.

Complete detailed quantity takeoffs in Bluebeam and Excel across roadway, drainage, storm sewer, water and sanitary utilities (wet and dry), concrete flatwork, and structural concrete.

Develop comprehensive estimates in Heavy Bid using production history, crew performance data, historical cost trends, and owner-specific bid item structures.

Lead subcontractor and supplier scoping, align quotes, and manage clarifications for municipal, county, utility authority, state-funded, and private work.

Own compliance with public agency programs (DBE, HUB, EEO) and similar participation requirements for each owner.

Maintain pricing libraries for materials, equipment, and labor; update for market conditions and historical performance.

Prepare complete proposal packages: itemized bid tabs, proposal forms, schedules of values, and all required submission documents.

Partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and Division Leaders to test assumptions for production, constructability, risks, and schedule.

Lead outreach with vendors and subcontractors for solicitations, scope alignment, and required compliance documentation.

Keep impeccable records—estimating logs, proposal calendars, digital file structures, and all bid documentation.

Elevate the function by refining SOPs, templates, workflows, and internal training resources.

Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, owner conferences, and internal strategy sessions to sharpen win themes and positioning.

Mentor Estimators and Junior Estimators to ensure accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness.

Support budgets, negotiated work, and change order pricing as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned to advance department goals.

What You Bring Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred.
5+ years estimating heavy civil scopes: roadway, underground utilities, drainage, and structural concrete.

Proven track record on public infrastructure bids for municipal, county, utility authority, or state-funded owners;
TxDOT exposure preferred.

Advanced proficiency with Heavy Bid, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Excel.

Deep fluency in public agency bid structures and participation programs (DBE, HUB, EEO) within competitive bidding environments.

Demonstrated ability to analyze scope, perform detailed takeoffs, assemble complete proposals, and shape bid strategy.

Clear, confident communication with internal teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and public agency stakeholders.

Highly organized, deadline-driven, and proactive about risk identification, system…