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?