Lead Estimator - Transportation / Infrastructure

Position Overview

Southern California Infrastructure is seeking a Lead Estimator to join our Santa Fe Springs, CA office. This role is responsible for leading the development of comprehensive, competitive, and technically sound estimates for complex industrial projects.

The Lead Estimator partners closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up teams to translate client scopes and RFP requirements into fully integrated EPC cost solutions. This position plays a critical leadership role in analyzing contract documents, interpreting specifications and drawings, applying historical production data, and identifying cost-effective, constructible solutions that position Kiewit to win work.

In addition to delivering high-quality estimates, the Lead Estimator supports the growth and continuous improvement of the estimating function through mentorship, process innovation, and collaboration across disciplines.

District Overview

Kiewit’s Southern California District is one of Kiewit’s leading infrastructure districts specializing in heavy civil projects that include earth moving, water/wastewater, transportation, roadways, and power projects. Most of our work is concentrated in the Southern California region

Location

This position is located at our district office in Santa Fe Springs, CA, and eventually Costa Mesa, CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complete, detailed estimates for large and complex infrastructure projects
• Analyze RFP documents and contract requirements to define scope clearly and eliminate gaps or overlaps.
• Review multidisciplinary engineering deliverables to understand construction requirements and execution strategy.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure technical alignment and completeness of estimate scope.
• Apply industry-standard estimating metrics, production rates, and historical data to validate pricing assumptions and explain variances.
• Develop cost analyses and present optimized solutions to internal teams.
• Identify cost-effective, technically compliant alternatives that enhance constructability and competitiveness.
• Interpret codes and specifications to support sound engineering and estimating decisions.
• Partner with procurement, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure accurate quantities and competitive pricing.
• Generate indirect related costs estimates inclusive of commercial costs, staffing costs, site facilities and site services.
• Lead internal estimate review meetings and executive presentations.
• Support proposal development and bid form generation.
• Understand project execution strategies, sequencing, geographic considerations, and best practices to ensure practical and buildable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating methods, tools, and processes to improve speed, consistency, and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating advanced estimating expertise.
• 5+ years of experience estimating construction projects (large-project experience preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead estimate efforts on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, procurement, and construction teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

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