Lead Estimator - Transportation / Infrastructure

Requisition ID: 180671

Job Level: Senior Level

Home District/Group: Southern California District

Department: Estimating

Market: Transportation

Employment Type: Full Time

Southern California Infrastructure is seeking a Lead Estimator to join our Santa Fe Springs, CA office. This role is responsible for leading the development of comprehensive, competitive, and technically sound estimates for complex industrial projects.

The Lead Estimator partners closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up teams to translate client scopes and RFP requirements into fully integrated EPC cost solutions. This position plays a critical leadership role in analyzing contract documents, interpreting specifications and drawings, applying historical production data, and identifying cost-effective, constructible solutions that position Kiewit to win work.

In addition to delivering high-quality estimates, the Lead Estimator supports the growth and continuous improvement of the estimating function through mentorship, process innovation, and collaboration across disciplines.

Kiewit’s Southern California District is one of Kiewit’s leading infrastructure districts specializing in heavy civil projects that include earth moving, water/wastewater, transportation, roadways, and power projects. Most of our work is concentrated in the Southern California region

This position is located at our district office in Santa Fe Springs, CA, and eventually Costa Mesa, CA.

• Lead the development of complete, detailed estimates for large and complex infrastructure projects
• Analyze RFP documents and contract requirements to define scope clearly and eliminate gaps or overlaps.
• Review multidisciplinary engineering deliverables to understand construction requirements and execution strategy.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure technical alignment and completeness of estimate scope.
• Apply industry-standard estimating metrics, production rates, and historical data to validate pricing assumptions and explain variances.
• Develop cost analyses and present optimized solutions to internal teams.
• Identify cost-effective, technically compliant alternatives that enhance constructability and competitiveness.
• Interpret codes and specifications to support sound engineering and estimating decisions.
• Partner with procurement, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure accurate quantities and competitive pricing.
• Generate indirect related costs estimates inclusive of commercial costs, staffing costs, site facilities and site services.
• Lead internal estimate review meetings and executive presentations.
• Support proposal development and bid form generation.
• Understand project execution strategies, sequencing, geographic considerations, and best practices to ensure practical and buildable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating methods, tools, and processes to improve speed, consistency, and accuracy.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating advanced estimating expertise.
• 5+ years of experience estimating construction projects (large-project experience preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead estimate efforts on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, procurement, and construction teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

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Other Requirements:
• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.

Base Compensation: $120,000/yr - $130,000/yr

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.