Senior Estimator Heavy Civil Construction - Columbia, South Carolina

Mission Hires is seeking a Senior Estimator (Heavy Civil Construction) in Columbia, SC on behalf of a heavy civil site development contractor. The role focuses on estimating self‑performed work for site work, utilities, drainage systems, roads, mining reclamation, and related projects ranging from $500K to $10M. The position offers strong growth potential, competitive pay, excellent benefits, bonus eligibility, and a strong, well‑structured pipeline of work.

• Prepare accurate conceptual, schematic, and detailed final contract estimates for heavy civil/site development projects
• Estimate self‑performed work including labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractor scopes
• Perform quantity takeoffs for grading, earthwork, utilities, drainage, roads, and related civil scopes
• Develop and analyze unit prices, production rates, and cost assemblies
• Identify project risks, site exposures, and constructability issues and reflect them in pricing
• Propose value‑engineering alternatives to improve cost and schedule outcomes
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and addenda for scope and cost impacts
• Collaborate with operations, project management, and field teams to validate means, methods, and production assumptions
• Solicit, level, and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotes
• Prepare bid proposals and support bid reviews and presentations
• Maintain organized estimate files, historical cost data, and benchmarking
• Travel as needed for site visits and pre‑bid meetings within SC, NC, and GA

• 5+ years of civil construction estimating experience with emphasis on heavy civil/site work, utilities, drainage, and roads
• Experience working for a general contractor bidding site development and related civil scopes
• Proven experience estimating projects ranging from $500K to $10M
• Demonstrated capability estimating self‑performed work (labor, equipment, materials)
• Strong knowledge of construction assemblies, means and methods, and project phases
• Ability to produce accurate estimates from conceptual and schematic drawings through final contract pricing
• Ability to assess site risks and constructability and incorporate into estimates
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe
• Experience with takeoff/modeling tools such as Agtek, Trimble Business Center, Carlson, or CAD (preferred)
• Experience with Bid2
  
  Win (B2W), HCSS Heavy Bid, or similar estimating software (preferred)
• Strong communication skills to interface with clients, engineers, vendors, and internal teams
• Team‑oriented with strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Four‑year degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management is a plus; will consider associate degree or partial degree with relevant experience
• Must have a clean driving record
• Ability to travel within SC, NC, and GA as required

• Employer pays 90% of employee insurance costs