Estimator

Job Title: Estimator (Civil / Heavy Highway / Sitework)
Job Description

This full-time Estimator position in the Preconstruction / Estimating department focuses on preparing accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates for civil construction projects, including earthwork, utilities, roadway and heavy highway work, grading, and site development across Eastern North Carolina and surrounding regions. The Estimator supports all phases of preconstruction by reviewing plans and specifications, performing quantity takeoffs and earthwork analysis, coordinating with subcontractors and vendors, and contributing to pricing strategy and bid execution. Occasional travel is required for site walks and pre-bid meetings.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, addenda, and bid documents to clearly define project scope and requirements.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for earthwork and grading, storm, sanitary, and water utilities, clearing and grubbing, erosion control, concrete, curb and gutter, sidewalks, paving, and miscellaneous civil sitework.
• Develop complete cost estimates that include labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, trucking and hauling, bonds and insurance, permits, and general conditions.
• Utilize historical cost data, production rates, and current market pricing to prepare competitive and accurate estimates.
• Identify constructability issues, scope gaps, and key cost drivers, and communicate these findings to the estimating and project teams.
• Prepare bid assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, and clarifications to ensure transparent and well-documented proposals.
• Solicit pricing from subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all scopes of work.
• Evaluate and level subcontractor and supplier bids to confirm scope alignment and competitiveness.
• Maintain strong working relationships with trade partners and track quote coverage to support competitive bidding.
• Support bid-day execution by assisting with final pricing reviews and adjustments.
• Assist with the preparation of proposals, bid forms, preliminary schedules, and compliance documentation.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site walks to gather project information and validate site conditions.
• Maintain organized estimate files, pricing backup, and documentation for future reference and audits.
• Assist with project handoff to operations teams, clearly documenting scope, pricing assumptions, and key estimate details.
• Participate in post-project cost reviews to compare estimated versus actual costs and identify areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the maintenance and improvement of estimating databases and standard estimating procedures.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of estimating experience in civil construction, including sitework, utilities, grading, roadway, or heavy civil projects.
• Strong ability to read and interpret civil construction plans, specifications, and contracts.
• Solid understanding of civil construction means and methods.
• Hands-on experience with HCSS HeavyBid or comparable HCSS estimating software.
• Hands-on experience with Agtek software for earthwork takeoffs and mass-haul analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for estimate development and data analysis.
• Proficiency with digital plan tools such as Bluebeam for plan review and quantity takeoffs.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail in estimates and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for coordination with internal teams and external partners.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5 or more years of estimating experience in civil or heavy highway construction is preferred.
• Experience estimating DOT and municipal projects, including unit-price bidding, is highly desirable.
• Background in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent field experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in estimation, construction, bidding, and civil sitework.
• Prior experience working with HCSS and Agtek in a civil or heavy highway estimating environment.

Work Environment

The Estimator works in a professional office environment within a regional office in Eastern North Carolina, collaborating closely with preconstruction, estimating, and operations teams. The role primarily involves computer-based work using HCSS HeavyBid, Agtek, Microsoft Excel, and digital plan review tools such as Bluebeam. The position requires occasional travel to project sites for site walks and to attend pre-bid meetings, where the Estimator reviews existing conditions and gathers information to refine estimates. The work involves managing multiple bids and deadlines in a fast-paced, detail-oriented setting, with a focus on civil construction projects such as earthwork, utilities, roadway and heavy highway, grading, and site development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Morrisville, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $62.50/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Morrisville,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

hcss heavybid, quantity takeoffs, cost estimation, agtek, microsoft excel, civil construction plans, bluebeam, bid execution, earthwork analysis, estimate development, construction management, dot estimating, subcontractor management, site development, grading, roadway construction, utilities estimating, data analysis, stakeholder coordination, municipal estimating, storm analysis, sanitary systems estimating, water utilities estimating, concrete estimating, curb and gutter estimating, paving estimating, Senior Estimator Pipeline & Estimating & Mechanical Bidding, Cost Engineer, Cost & Schedule & Controls Group Head, Team Lead - Project Management, Construction Controller, Architectural Draftsman, Cost & Schedule Engineer, Interior Designer & BIM modeller, Principal - Value Engineering, Structural Engineer - Commercial Building & Hospitality Project