OverviewPOSITION: Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Underground
LOCATION: Orem, UT
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Estimator leads the estimating effort for WW Clyde's underground work and is accountable for delivering complete, accurate, and competitive estimates on water and wastewater infrastructure projects ranging from $5M to over $100M. This work includes large diameter water transmission pipelines 36 inches and above in welded steel and HDPE, deep excavation with specialized shoring, groundwater management and bypass pumping, rock excavation, tunneling, concrete structures, mechanical piping, pump stations, and water and wastewater treatment facilities.
This role owns estimate quality from initial takeoff through final bid submission and sign off. The Senior Estimator provides leadership in bid strategy, scope and risk identification, and go/no go recommendations, and mentors the estimators coming up behind them.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead full cycle estimating for underground water and wastewater projects, including pipeline, structures, treatment facilities, and pump stations.
- Review plans, specs, addenda, and contracts. Define scope, assumptions, risk items, and bid requirements.
- Build detailed estimates for self perform and subcontracted work, including takeoffs, production rates, crew and equipment planning, pricing, and markups.
- Price the risk items that drive underground jobs: shoring systems and excavation depth, dewatering and groundwater control, rock excavation, traffic control, bypass pumping, and utility conflicts.
- Develop accurate production rates for large diameter pipe installation in welded steel and HDPE, including fusion, welding, testing, and backfill operations.
- Own estimate accuracy and completeness. Participate in bid reviews and take accountability for final numbers and bid package sign off.
- Track and evaluate upcoming opportunities. Maintain awareness of municipal, district, and agency letting schedules and provide leadership input on go/no go decisions.
- Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and supplier quotes. Develop scopes and negotiate pricing and terms, including long lead pipe and material procurement.
- Perform jobsite and bid walk assessments to validate quantities, access, staging, groundwater conditions, and constructability risk.
- Coordinate with operations, equipment, and estimating teams to align means and methods, schedule strategy, and cost models.
- Support alternative delivery pursuits including CMAR, CMGC, design build, and joint ventures by contributing to technical approach, pricing strategy, and risk mitigation.
- Maintain estimating databases, historical cost data, and lessons learned. Improve estimating processes and tools including HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, and Trimble.
- Lead, mentor, and develop less experienced estimators in estimating theory, takeoff methods, production rate development, and bid day readiness. Provide coaching and quality checks that grow their capability and confidence.
- Ensure estimating work reflects WW Clyde safety and environmental standards.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 10+ years of construction estimating experience with significant time estimating underground utility, pipeline, or water and wastewater infrastructure work.
- Prior experience in a lead or senior estimator role with ownership of estimates through bid day.
- Demonstrated experience building estimates on large diameter pipeline projects, including welded steel and HDPE.
- Strong understanding of underground construction methods including trenching, shoring systems, dewatering, bypass pumping, rock excavation, and pipeline testing and commissioning.
- Proven ability to develop production rates, plan crews and equipment spreads, and build a cost model that holds up in the field.
- Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing estimators or junior staff.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present estimates and risk clearly to leadership.
- Ability to visit jobsites and attend bid walks as needed. Must maintain an insurable driving record
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
- Experience on estimates exceeding $100M and managing multiple large estimates simultaneously.
- Alternative delivery experience including CMAR, CMGC, design build, or joint venture pursuits.
- Familiarity with the Utah and Intermountain West water market, including municipalities, water districts, and their standards and specifications.
- Experience with treatment plant, pump station, or mechanical process piping estimating.
- Familiarity with Trimble Business Center, Agtek, or similar takeoff tools, and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6.
- Prior field experience in underground construction.
To learn more about WW Clyde and our work, visit wwclyde.net.