Chief Estimator - Water/Wastewater Construction

Position Overview

We are hiring an experienced Chief Mechanical Estimator to join our team to develop winning estimates and proposals for our Northern California District.  Our Northern California district had a record year last year and generated $400M in revenue and will have another record year in 2025! We have $1 billion of water/wastewater treatment opportunities we are currently bidding on for the region, with plans to grow that Water/WW segment to $3B in the next three to five years!  As an estimator - do these numbers sound compelling to you?  Bring your knowledge of mechanical equipment, and your commitment to excellence and accuracy in estimating and in return, we will offer you career and diverse project opportunities and the satisfaction of building the next big thing from the ground up.  You will report directly to the Get Work Manager, and will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing and interpreting Contract Documents (specifications, drawings, and reference information) to develop detailed, comprehensive cost estimates for various projects throughout Kiewit’s markets.  

District Overview

Kiewit’s Northern California District is one of Kiewit’s leading infrastructure districts specializing in various types of work in the heavy civil, power, transportation, and water resource markets. Although most of our work is regionally based in Northern California, we also pursue various projects across the west coast.   

Location

This position will be based out of our office in Fairfield, CA.

Kiewit’s Northern California District is one of Kiewit’s leading infrastructure districts specializing in various types of work in the heavy civil, power, transportation, and water resource markets. Although most of our work is regionally based in Northern California, we also pursue various projects across the west coast. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about infrastructure and committed to the construction industry rather than design. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical estimating team - by revieing the deliverables and construction requirements to develop estimates for Mechanical systems, Piping, Equipment, Pumps, Welding and related mechanical aspects of projects.  Analyze and compile estimate data that impacts the cost of labor, materials, location and other factors to ensure a high quality and timely estimate.  Provide leadership/mentoring and development to more junior estimators on the team.  
• Review drawings, specifications and proposed project site conditions; record findings and solicit input from field operations to include in final project estimate.
• Analyze alternative solutions and construction methods to increase competitiveness of the bid.
• Review “take-off” quantities to ensure accuracy of data used in estimates.
• Utilize existing cost history as a check to complete estimate.
• Apply mathematical calculations requiring advanced analytical processes 
• Ability to develop scope from RFP and work with discipline team to estimate work without gaps or overlaps.
• Bring solutions to team with cost analysis.  Identify and assess technical risks and recommend appropriate risk mitigation.
• Lead and promote efforts to find innovative estimating methods to generate consistent, cost effective and accurate solutions to tight schedules and quick turnaround on estimates.
• Ensure team has resources to identify and define best-cost/best-practice solutions and alternatives for estimates.
• Identify relatively common code and spec interpretations that will yield a well-proven, technically compliant but more cost effective, fit-for-purpose design.
• Identify changes in scope of work and convey any estimate and/or schedule impact to the team.  
• Lead the development of mechanical cost estimates, including labor, materials, subs, ST&S, and equipment.
• Analyze project specifications, drawings, and other documentation to ensure the mechanical estimate team has developed detailed estimates.
• Identify cost risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies.
• Review mechanical estimates developed by your team to ensure accuracy prior to participating in bid reviews and presentations with senior management.
• Review subcontractor and supplier quotes prior to, and during, bid closeout to ensure the mechanical estimating team has alignment with project requirements.

Qualifications

• BS degree in mechanical, civil or construction-related technology, or related discipline, OR extensive and related engineering or construction work experience leading to a thorough understanding of the knowledge, skills and abilities described above.  
• Ideal candidate will have 8+ years' experience in Mechanical Estimating for construction projects (Mechanical equipment/systems, processing equipment, piping, pumps, HVAC, welding equipment, ATC equipment, instrumentation equipment).  Must have experience leading/mentoring other estimators and the desire to continue developing junior estimators.  
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience with construction (Water/Wastewater, Power, Dams).
• Exceptionally strong attention to detail, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office products (e.g. Excel, Work, Outlook, PowerPoint)  
• Experience using Bluebeam is required; Experience using Quickpen or similar takeoff software for piping required.  
• Knowledgeable about industry norms for engineering estimating metrics and ratios, and able to identify and explain reasons for any deviations.