Chief Estimator- Heavy Civil / Highway

Chief Estimator- Heavy Civil / Highway
Draper, Utah
Full Time
The Chief Estimator is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving estimating strategy, influencing project selection, and supporting long-term business growth. This is not a back-office function-this role directly partners with executive leadership, clients, and operations teams to shape project pursuits and deliver innovative infrastructure solutions.
This position requires deep expertise in heavy civil construction estimating , strong leadership presence, and the ability to guide teams through complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
You'll be:

• Influencing which projects we pursue - and why
• Driving innovation to the benefit of our clients through various collaborative delivery methods (DB, PDB & CM/GC)
• Shaping RLW's long-term development by tracking opportunities, market trends & mentoring your team.
• Partnering directly with Clients, Designers, Trade Partners, Operations and Executive Leadership

Our Preconstruction teams work on highly complex projects across multiple market segments in the West. That means exposure to:

• A mix of Public and Private infrastructure work
• Design-Build (DB), Progressive Design-Build(PDB), CM/GC and Traditional Bid-Build Projects
• Contracts ranging from $10M to $1B+
• A collaborative culture where preconstruction and field operations truly work as one team

The Chief Estimator plays a critical role in helping lead RLW's estimating function and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on market strategy, pursuit selection, and long-term business growth. Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Development

• Lead the overall estimating and preconstruction strategy
• Provides engaged training and mentoring of staff
• Partner with Leadership to identify market opportunities and pursuit strategy
• Mentor and develop Senior and Junior Estimators

• Lead by example to creates a culture of accountability, precision, and collaboration Ownership of Pursuits

• Oversee complex infrastructure pursuits including estimates and proposal support with engineering/marketing departments
• Guide bottoms-up estimate development with a hands-on approach
• Lead internal bid reviews and client presentations
• Ensure competitive pursuits through development of innovation & strategy

Operational Alignment

• Work closely with Field Operations to validate and implement pursuit assumptions through extended field involvement
• Understanding of industry production history and current best practices
• Ability to perform constructability reviews with Field Operations

Who you Are

• 10+ years of civil, concrete, earthwork, underground, PCCP, geotechnical, site development and/or similar estimating experience
• Proven experience leading pursuits and estimates in the $20M-$100M+ range
• Expert in bottom-up estimating and subject matter expert in one or more RLW market sectors
• Expert in analyzing alternate methods, sequencing, phasing and quantification
• Experience with public, private and alternative delivery projects
• Expertise in tools such as Bid2Win, HCSS HeavyBid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodeck Civil 3D, Bentley, Tekla, Building Connected or similar design and construction software packages
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or similar field

Skills and Certifications
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Manageme
• Expertise in tools such as Bid2Win, HCSS HeavyBid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodeck Civil 3D, B
• Expert in bottom-up estimating and subject matter expert in one or more RLW market sectors
Recruiter Submission Template -
Full Name:
Degree Major with University and Completion Year:
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering / Construction Management or related field? (Yes/No - provide details):
Total Years of Experience in Heavy Civil Estimating :
Do you have experience leading large-scale infrastructure estimating pursuits ($20M-$100M+ projects)? (Yes/No - provide details):
Do you have experience in heavy civil scopes such as earthwork, concrete, underground utilities, PCCP, geotechnical, or site development? (Yes/No - explain):
Do you have experience with alternative delivery methods (Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, CM/GC, Bid-Build)? (Yes/No - explain):
Do you have strong expertise in bottom-up estimating, cost modeling, and constructability analysis? (Yes/No - explain):
Do you have experience using estimating tools such as HCSS HeavyBid, Bid2Win, Primavera, AGTEK, Civil 3D, Bentley, or similar? (Yes/No - specify tools):
Do you have experience working with public and private infrastructure projects? (Yes/No - explain):
Do you have experience collaborating with field operations, executive leadership, and clients for pursuit strategy? (Yes/No - explain):
Do you have experience mentoring and leading estimating teams? (Yes/No - explain):
Motivation / Reason for Relocation (if not local):
Motivation / Reason for interest in this position:
Contact Number:
Email ID:
LinkedIn Profile URL:
Full Address (Street, City, State, ZIP Code):
Notice Period (in weeks):
Current Work Authorization Status:
Expected Salary:
Are you ready to relocate at your own expense and work onsite in Draper, Utah / commute?