Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator – Wastewater / Waterworks Projects (Houston, TX)

Position: Chief Estimator

Sector: Waterworks & Wastewater / Infrastructure / Utility-Sector Construction

Location: Houston, TX (office project-site focus)

About Us

We are a fast-growing waterworks and infrastructure construction firm, delivering complex water and wastewater treatment, pump-station, and utility-system projects across Texas. Our team is driven by high standards, collaborative client-partner relationships, and a commitment to quality and safety.

What We’re Looking For:

An experienced Chief Estimator who brings deep waterworks / wastewater construction knowledge and a proven track record as a self-performer or estimator working on water / utility / heavy-civil work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire pre-construction estimating function for waterworks and wastewater projects: review bid packages, gather data, issue cost estimates, and develop competitive bid proposals.
• Review project drawings, specifications, scopes of work (mechanical, civil, piping, electrical as relevant), and define full scope including material, labor, equipment, subcontractor quotes and contingencies.
• Collaborate with project leadership, field operations, and subcontractors/vendors to solicit bids, negotiate pricing, and assemble accurate cost models under multiple delivery methods (e.g. bid-build, design-build, GMP).
• Maintain and update historical cost databases, unit cost books, and estimating tools to ensure consistency and accuracy for upcoming bids and estimating cycles.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits / take-offs, risk assessments, and scope validation — translating field conditions into accurate bids.
• Provide leadership and guidance to any junior estimators or pre-construction staff; support training and mentorship to build a strong estimating team.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 10 years of construction estimating experience — minimum 5 of those in wastewater, waterworks, civil utility, or heavy-civil / infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record working on self-performed water/wastewater construction or water treatment facility projects (pumping stations, treatment plants, pipelines, pump / chemical systems, etc.).
• Strong technical background — ideally in Construction Management, Civil / Environmental Engineering, or equivalent.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting complex civil / mechanical / waterworks drawings, specifications, and scopes — capable of identifying scope gaps or ambiguities early in bid phase.
• Skilled in take-off and estimating software / tools (or standard estimating platforms spreadsheets) — comfortable building detailed cost breakdowns for materials, labor, equipment, subcontractors, and contingencies.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, time-management, and communication skills — able to manage multiple bids simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience collaborating with project managers, operations teams, subcontractors, and suppliers to produce competitive, timely bids under varying delivery methods (Design-Build, Bid-Build, GMP, etc.).

What’s in It for You

• Opportunity to lead estimating for a growing pipeline of waterworks / wastewater projects — including pump stations, treatment plants, and utility infrastructure.
• Competitive salary and benefits (to be discussed) with visibility and leadership role in the pre-construction team.
• Stability and long-term work in a niche / specialized sector — with growth potential as the company expands its footprint.
• Collaborative, safety-oriented environment that values accurate estimating, professionalism, and quality execution.

Please send your resume and a brief summary of your water/wastewater estimating experience for immediate review.