Earthwork Estimator

Join a growing heavy civil contracting company that has built its reputation on delivering high-quality earthwork and site development projects throughout California. This is an opportunity to work directly with company leadership, play a key role in winning new work, and contribute to complex commercial and residential site development projects.  

Earthwork Estimator Benefits and Compensation

* Competitive base salary: $110,000–$160,000, depending on experience and Agtek proficiency

* Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to bid volume and profitability

* Health, dental, and vision insurance

* Paid Time Off and company holidays

* Stable, collaborative, team-oriented work environment

* Direct exposure to company ownership and executive decision-making

* Opportunity to work on large-scale commercial and residential earthwork projects

* Long-term career growth with an established California contractor

* Full-time, exempt, in-office position

Earthwork Estimator Requirements & Qualifications Must Haves

* 2-5 years of earthwork, grading, excavation, or heavy civil estimating experience

* Expert proficiency with Agtek for earthwork takeoffs and mass haul modeling

* Strong understanding of grading, excavation, cut/fill balancing, and site development operations

* Ability to perform accurate quantity takeoffs from civil plans and specifications

* Experience reviewing grading plans, geotechnical reports, and soils reports to identify project risks

* Proven ability to develop complete estimates including labor, equipment, materials, trucking, and subcontractor pricing

* Experience preparing competitive bids while managing multiple deadlines simultaneously

* Strong knowledge of earthmoving equipment production rates and field operations

* Ability to conduct mass haul analysis and optimize cut/fill strategies

* Experience participating in site walks and evaluating existing field conditions before bidding

* Ability to coordinate vendor and subcontractor pricing while maintaining strong industry relationships

* Strong organizational, analytical, mathematical, and communication skills

* Ability to successfully transition awarded projects to operations and project management teams

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

* Prepare detailed grading, excavation, import/export, erosion control, and sitework estimates

* Build complete bid packages for negotiated and competitive projects

* Perform Agtek takeoffs and mass haul analysis for complex earthmoving operations

* Evaluate project plans and specifications to identify scope gaps, risks, and pricing assumptions

* Coordinate subcontractor and supplier quotations

* Develop bid strategies alongside company leadership

* Maintain estimating databases, bid logs, and historical cost information

* Support value engineering efforts during preconstruction

* Assist with project handoff and budget development after award

Earthwork Estimator Preferred Background & Skills

* Experience estimating large commercial site development projects

* Background working for a self-performing earthwork contractor

* Experience with HCSS HeavyBid or similar estimating software

* Knowledge of California prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon requirements

* Field experience in grading or heavy civil construction

* Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field

* Experience working closely with project management and operations teams throughout pre-construction and project turnover