Overview:

The Senior Estimator is responsible for leading the estimating function on complex commercial design-build and construction projects. This role is critical in delivering accurate, competitive proposals, supporting business development, and ensuring profitable project execution. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, market insight, and strong collaboration skills to drive project success from preconstruction through bid submission. Knowledge of Bakersfield community planning, economic development and housing; 2045 General Plan, Downtown Revitalization, HSR Station, Housing Element (2023-2031), Consolidated Plan (2025-2030).

Types of Construction: Market rate multi-family, commercial buildings, retail centers, design-build, industrial, aviation structures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate bidding schedule to determine projects to pursue.
• Develop working relationships with prospective clients, bid platforms, and local builders exchange.
• Review plan room publications and other invitations for upcoming bids. Track and review results of recent bid openings.
• Foster strong ties with prospective subcontractors and material vendors for better pricing and collaboration.
• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier bids to ensure competitiveness and compliance.
• Stay informed on market conditions, labor rates, and material pricing trends.
• Develop, organize and maintain estimating databases, pricing indexes, overhead cost, historical cost data, and industry benchmarks.
• Prepare and oversee detailed cost estimates, budgets, conceptual estimates and bid proposals.
• Lead quantity takeoffs and ensure accurate pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.
• Mentor junior estimators and contribute to team development.
• Oversee and review the work of other estimators.
  

Prepare Conceptual Estimates and Bid Proposals:

• Thoroughly review of all bid documents; project plans, specifications, soils reports, etc. to identify scope, pricing risks, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Attend pre-construction meetings and coordinate site meetings for subcontractor’s site investigation.
• Perform takeoffs and prepare cost spreadsheets.
• Review subcontractors’ bids for correct scope of work, clarifications and exclusions and request revised proposals if appropriate.
• Accept questions from subcontractors and prepare requests for information (RFI’s) for presentation to the owner/architect.
• Review addendums and distribute them to subcontractors with additional direction as needed.
• Determine lowest responsible subcontractors quote for inclusion in proposal.
• Prepare estimated costs for permits and utility connection fees if appropriate.
• Obtain design fees from architect, civil Engineer, structural engineer and landscape architect if appropriate.
• Prepare general conditions.
• Prepare proposal documents including proposal letter, spreadsheets, clarifications and exclusions, alternates, allowances and enumeration of drawings.
• Submit all proposals to President for review prior to presentation and make appropriate revisions.
• Identify project risks, exclusions, assumptions, and contingencies, and clearly communicate them.
• Support contract negotiations and provide cost clarifications during client meetings.
• Follow up with owners after presentation of bids and proposals and provide additional information and revised costs as needed.

Upon Project Being Awarded:

• Prepare Bid Grid for Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreements.
• Prepare “Turnover” documents for Project Manager and assist with job set up.
• Discuss proposal related issues with Project Manager during construction and provide additional documentation if appropriate.
• Provide support and responses to questions regarding costs and scope of work for subcontractors.

Preconstruction Services:

• Meet with prospective clients to discuss proposed projects and provide estimated costs based on preliminary information.
• Collaborate with project managers, operations teams, and leadership during preconstruction and bid review.
• Develop preliminary control budgets during Schematic Design (SD) and Design Development (DD).
• Provide constructability reviews during SD and DD.
• Provide alternate pricing for consideration in determining construction methods and materials.
• Prepare budgeting for Value Engineering (VE).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7–10 plus years of estimating experience on complex, multi-million-dollar construction projects, providing a comprehensive general contractor perspective.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, contract structures, and cost control practices.
• Experience with design-build, negotiated work, and preconstruction services.
• Proficiency in estimating software, takeoff tools, Procore and Microsoft Office.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, suitable for client-facing interactions.
• Ability to manage multiple bids under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sense of urgency in accomplishing tasks, high energy, and self-directed.
• Professional appearance and demeanor required; must consistently present a polished, public-facing image.

Work Environment:

• Office-based with periodic site visits.
• Collaborative environment with internal teams and external partners. This position is supported by an estimating assistant for clerical work related to advertising, bid collection, & assembly of bid documents.
• Flexibility for extended hours during peak bid periods.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off and ESOP participation.
  

Titus Talent Strategies is an approved partner of this Firm.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.