What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Estimator position at White and White Contracting, LLC?
SENIOR ESTIMATOR
Heavy Civil Underground Utility · Full-Time, Hybrid · Chandler, AZ
$125,000 – $150,000 DOE Performance Bonus | Company Truck | 100% Employer-Paid Benefits
ABOUT WHITE & WHITE CONTRACTING
White & White Contracting is a heavy civil underground utility contractor based in Chandler, AZ, serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan market. We self-perform the full spectrum of underground utility installation, including sewer, water, fire line, irrigation, storm drain, power and communications conduit, gas conduit, fiber, streetlights, site electric, and area lighting.
We bid $150M in work annually, run a strong owned equipment fleet, and have experienced field crews who have been doing this work for years. We are actively building the internal infrastructure to support our next phase of growth, and this hire is central to that.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a senior-level role for an experienced underground utility estimator who is ready to own the estimating function at a growing contractor. You will run the full bid desk: managing bid calendars, producing estimates in HCSS HeavyBid, coordinating sub and supplier quotes, and presenting numbers to ownership with confidence. You report directly to the owner.
You are not a support role. You own the bid. You are the estimating department.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
Estimating &Bidding
• Manage the full bid process from plan receipt through submission: takeoff, quantity verification, material pricing, subcontractor solicitation, labor loading, equipment cost allocation, and final markup
• Produce complete, accurate bids using HCSS HeavyBid and Stack CT takeoff software
• Maintain and continuously improve the unit cost library in HeavyBid, calibrated against actual field production data from HCSS HeavyJob
• Manage the bid calendar to ensure all deadlines are met without compromising quality
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and material supplier quotes
• Review and understand bid documents, plans, specifications, and addenda thoroughly
• Produce competitive bids across project types: residential, multi-family, commercial, industrial, public works, and utility district work
Strategy & Intelligence
• Track and analyze bid results across won, lost, and pending bids to build a win/loss database that informs future pricing strategy
• Research competitor pricing and market conditions to keep our bids sharp
• Advise ownership on bid go/no-go decisions and optimal margin targets by project type
• Identify value engineering opportunities that improve our competitiveness without sacrificing margin
Project Handoff & Support
• Conduct thorough bid-to-build handoffs with field operations, ensuring foremen and superintendents understand the scope, budget, and production targets
• Collaborate with project administration on schedule of values preparation and contract review
• Support project management on scope clarification and change order pricing
• Provide cost feedback from completed projects to continuously refine estimating accuracy
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required
• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in underground utility, wet utility, or heavy civil construction. This is a hard requirement.
• Deep working knowledge of underground utility scopes: sewer, water, storm drain, dry utilities, fire line, and irrigation
• Proficiency in HCSS HeavyBid or equivalent heavy civil estimating software
• Experience with digital takeoff platforms (Stack CT, Bluebeam, or equivalent)
• Ability to read and fully interpret civil construction drawings, utility plans, and specifications independently
• Strong understanding of construction cost components: labor productivity, equipment rates, material pricing, and subcontractor management
• Phoenix metro market knowledge, including familiarity with local subcontractors, material suppliers, and the competitive landscape
• Proven track record of producing winning bids on competitive projects•
Self-directed and able to manage a high-volume bid calendar without heavy oversight
Strongly Preferred
• Experience with HCSS HeavyJob for production tracking and bid-to-actual analysis
• Familiarity with irrigation district, utility district, or private utility provider bidding
• Experience estimating public works or bonded projects
• Prior experience at an underground utility contractor in the Phoenix / East Valley market
• Ability to mentor and develop junior estimating staff as the department grows
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Base Salary of $115,000 – $130,000 depending on experience
Performance Bonus - Annual bonus tied to awarded backlog and project margin performance
Company truck and fuel card provided as your daily driver
Medical / Dental / Vision - 100% employer-paid for employee and eligible dependents
401(k) - 6% employer match
Schedule Monday–Friday, hybrid. Office-based for bid days and key meetings, flexible otherwise.
THE RIGHT FIT
We are a family-founded, owner-operated contractor. We pay well, treat our people well, and expect professional excellence in return. Decisions happen fast here. There is no bureaucracy between you and the owner, and no one second-guessing your numbers after the fact. The right person walks in, takes ownership of the bid desk, and makes a real difference from day one.
If you take ownership seriously, hold yourself to a high standard, and want to be a core part of building something, we want to hear from you.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your resume and a brief note about your estimating background and the types of projects you have priced to:
careers@wwcaz.com
(480) 612-7662
Please include “Chief Estimator” in the subject line. We respond to every qualified applicant.
White & White Contracting, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
Salary : $115,000 - $130,000