Earthwork Estimator

Earthwork Estimator

Join a growing heavy civil contracting company that has built its reputation on delivering high-quality earthwork and site development projects throughout California. This is an opportunity to work directly with company leadership, play a key role in winning new work, and contribute to complex commercial and residential site development projects.

Earthwork Estimator Benefits and Compensation

Competitive base salary: $110,000–$160,000, depending on experience and Agtek proficiency

Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to bid volume and profitability

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid Time Off and company holidays

Stable, collaborative, team-oriented work environment

Direct exposure to company ownership and executive decision-making

Opportunity to work on large-scale commercial and residential earthwork projects

Long-term career growth with an established California contractor

Full-time, exempt, in-office position

Earthwork Estimator Requirements & Qualifications Must Haves

5–7+ years of earthwork, grading, excavation, or heavy civil estimating experience

Expert proficiency with Agtek for earthwork takeoffs and mass haul modeling

Strong understanding of grading, excavation, cut/fill balancing, and site development operations

Ability to perform accurate quantity takeoffs from civil plans and specifications

Experience reviewing grading plans, geotechnical reports, and soils reports to identify project risks

Proven ability to develop complete estimates including labor, equipment, materials, trucking, and subcontractor pricing

Experience preparing competitive bids while managing multiple deadlines simultaneously

Strong knowledge of earthmoving equipment production rates and field operations

Ability to conduct mass haul analysis and optimize cut/fill strategies

Experience participating in site walks and evaluating existing field conditions before bidding

Ability to coordinate vendor and subcontractor pricing while maintaining strong industry relationships

Strong organizational, analytical, mathematical, and communication skills

Ability to successfully transition awarded projects to operations and project management teams

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Prepare detailed grading, excavation, import/export, erosion control, and sitework estimates

Build complete bid packages for negotiated and competitive projects

Perform Agtek takeoffs and mass haul analysis for complex earthmoving operations

Evaluate project plans and specifications to identify scope gaps, risks, and pricing assumptions

Coordinate subcontractor and supplier quotations

Develop bid strategies alongside company leadership

Maintain estimating databases, bid logs, and historical cost information

Support value engineering efforts during preconstruction

Assist with project handoff and budget development after award

Earthwork Estimator Preferred Background & Skills

Experience estimating large commercial site development projects

Background working for a self-performing earthwork contractor

Experience with HCSS Heavy Bid or similar estimating software

Knowledge of California prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon requirements

Field experience in grading or heavy civil construction

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field

Experience working closely with project management and operations teams throughout pre-construction and project turnover