HGA is seeking a Civil Estimator to prepare accurate, competitive, and complete cost estimates for heavy civil and industrial construction projects, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or Houston, Texas. This role involves analyzing bid documents, performing quantity takeoffs, developing means and methods, pricing labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors, and assembling comprehensive bid packages. This position directly supports revenue growth by ensuring bids are both winnable and margin-protective, while incorporating lessons from active projects to continuously improve estimating accuracy.
Key Responsibilities- Review and interpret bid documents, plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and addenda for heavy civil projects, including deep foundations, pipelines, hydro excavation, site development, earthwork, and utilities
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and validate quantities against field production rates and historical data
- Develop project-specific means and methods in collaboration with the Construction Manager and operations team
- Price all direct costs, including labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors; obtain and evaluate vendor/sub quotes
- Build and maintain unit cost databases, production rates, and historical cost information
- Assemble complete bid packages, including scope narratives, assumptions, clarifications, exclusions, and risk assessments
- Analyze project risks and opportunities; recommend contingency levels, alternate pricing, and value engineering options
- Support post-bid activities, including scope reviews and hand-off to project managers and controls specialists
- Maintain bid history and lessons-learned documentation to refine future estimates
- Collaborate with project controls on cost coding structures and with field teams on realistic scheduling inputs
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent heavy civil estimating experience
- 5-10 years of progressive experience as a Civil Estimator focused on heavy civil, industrial, pipeline, foundation, or infrastructure projects
- Strong proficiency with estimating software and takeoff tools
- Deep knowledge of heavy civil means and methods, equipment productivity, labor rates, and regional market conditions
- Excellent analytical and mathematical skills with high attention to detail
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present estimates to leadership and clients
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel occasionally for site visits, pre-bid meetings, or client engagements
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with Louisiana DOTD, PHMSA pipeline regulations, USACE, or environmentally sensitive projects
- Familiarity with scheduling tools (Primavera P6 or MS Project) and job-cost systems
- Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or ASPE membership
- Prior exposure to a high-growth construction environment
