A long-established employee-owned general contractor with a strong reputation across California, is seeking a Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead to join their team in Bakersfield, CA. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced estimator who can lead a growing estimating function, partner with executive leadership to pursue and win new work, and help shape backlog strategy across multifamily, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. The role combines hands-on estimating leadership with business development visibility, making it a strong fit for someone who wants to influence both project pursuit strategy and long-term company growth.
What You'll Do as the Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead:- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3 estimators and 1 estimating assistant
- Oversee estimating workload, deadlines, quality control, and departmental performance
- Prepare and lead conceptual, design-build, negotiated, and hard-bid estimates across a range of project types
- Review drawings, specifications, takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, general conditions, allowances, contingencies, and final bid strategy
- Partner with company leadership to identify and pursue new project opportunities that strengthen backlog
- Participate in bid strategy, bid/no-bid decisions, value engineering, and pricing discussions
- Serve as a visible client-facing representative in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and preconstruction conversations
- Build and maintain relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and other industry partners
- Help position the company competitively through strong communication, market insight, and strategic estimating support
- Maintain estimating databases, cost history, and benchmarking tools to improve consistency and decision-making
- Support clean turnover to project management after award, including scopes, clarifications, schedules, proposals, and handoff documentation
- Track estimating performance metrics such as estimate accuracy, win rate, profitability, and backlog contribution
Must-Haves as the Sales / Lead Estimator:- 10+ years of construction estimating experience with a general contractor
- Strong estimating experience in multifamily and commercial construction
- Experience leading, mentoring, or managing an estimating team
- Ability to develop conceptual, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates
- Strong understanding of California construction practices, building code, and market conditions
- Confidence operating in a client-facing leadership role, not solely a back-office estimating function
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage owners, executives, project teams, and subcontractors
- Ability to work onsite in Bakersfield, CA
- Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills
Nice-to-Haves as the Sales / Lead Estimator:- Experience with multifamily projects ranging from mid-size to large apartment communities
- Exposure to institutional, education, medical, religious, hospitality-style, or light industrial projects
- Experience with value engineering, subcontractor prequalification, and vendor strategy
- Background supporting executive bid presentations, risk reviews, and backlog planning
- Familiarity with tools such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, RSMeans, Sage Estimating, Autodesk Takeoff, ProEst, and Microsoft Office
- Interest in improving estimating workflows through technology or AI-assisted takeoff tools
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field
- Certifications such as CMAA, AACE, or CCS
Our Client Offers:- Base salary in the $200,000-$265,000 range
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Employee ownership through an ESOP
- 401(k) with 4% company match
- Company-paid employee medical coverage
- Dental and vision coverage options
- FSA options for medical and dependent care
- EAP and mental health resources
- Basic life insurance plus voluntary life options
- Negotiable PTO, with up to 3 weeks available
- 5 sick days and 8 paid holidays
- Tuition, training, and certification support as needed
- Mileage reimbursement and possible fuel support depending on role
- Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate
