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

• 2-5 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