Construction Estimator
Description:
Job Title
Construction Estimator / Cost Estimator (Public Infrastructure)
Role Summary
The Construction Estimator is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and validating construction cost estimates for public-sector transportation, rail, and infrastructure projects. The role supports planning, design, procurement, and construction phases, ensuring estimates align with agency standards, contract requirements, and project controls systems.
Key Responsibilities
Prepare conceptual, preliminary, engineer’s, and independent cost estimates
Develop quantity take-offs and cost breakdowns for civil, structural, track, systems, and utility work
Support cost estimating during planning, PE, PS&E, and construction
Review contractor bids, change proposals, and cost claims
Assist with change order pricing analysis and negotiation support
Coordinate with project managers, schedulers, and discipline leads
Apply historical cost data and market analysis to validate estimates
Support agency budgeting, funding validation, and cost reporting
Participate in value engineering and risk-based cost analysis
Maintain estimate documentation in accordance with public-agency requirements
Support audits and cost reviews as required
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
7+ years of construction estimating or cost control experience
Experience with public-sector infrastructure projects
Familiarity with rail, transit, highway, or heavy civil construction
Strong analytical and documentation skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with transit agencies (e.g., Sound Transit, LA Metro, BART, VTA)
Knowledge of alternative delivery methods (DBB, DB, CMAR)
Experience supporting PM/CM or on-call contracts
Key Skills & Tools
Cost estimating software and spreadsheets
Quantity take-offs and cost modeling
Change order and claims support
Coordination with scheduling and project controls teams
Clear written and verbal communication for agency reporting