Estimator - Civil Grading

Salary: $105,000 - $150,000 per year

Location: San Diego, CA

Posted: November 04 2026

Minimum Degree:

Relocation Assistance: Not Available

ESTIMATOR – CIVIL GRADING & SITE WORK (PUBLIC WORKS / HEAVY CIVIL)

Confidential Search  |  East San Diego County, CA  |  On-Site  |  Direct Hire

$120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience, plus full benefits

About the Opportunity

An established Southern California heavy civil contractor is hiring an Estimator to price civil grading and site work. You'll bid earthwork, mass and fine grading, and site development packages, along with the underground utilities, paving and concrete that go with them. Projects range from small jobs to large-scale work for major regional utilities and state transportation agencies, public works for local and federal agencies, and private residential, commercial and industrial development. The company self-performs its work, so you will see your estimates built by its own crews.

What You'll Do

  • Perform quantity take-offs for earthwork, cut and fill, mass and fine grading, and site development
  • Take off the related underground utilities (sewer, water, storm drain, gas, electric), trenching, shoring, paving and concrete
  • Build cost estimates from labor, equipment and production rates, materials and subcontractor quotes
  • Prepare competitive bids for public agencies, utility owners and private developers, following prevailing wage, DIR and federal/state/local procurement rules
  • Solicit, evaluate and negotiate supplier and subcontractor pricing
  • Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks and bid reviews, and submit proposals on deadline
  • Work with project managers, engineers and field crews on constructability and value engineering
  • Maintain unit costs and the cost database, and support project turnover and change orders

What You Bring

  • 5+ years of estimating experience in civil grading, earthwork, heavy civil or underground utility construction
  • Experience estimating grading, site development and horizontal civil projects, including large-scale underground utility work
  • Track record of government and public works bidding (prevailing wage, DIR), as well as private development bids
  • Proficiency with HeavyBid, B2W, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift and advanced Excel
  • Ability to build unit costs from historical production data
  • Solid understanding of scheduling, sequencing, safety standards and permitting
  • Civil engineering or construction management background a plus; a degree is not required
  • Organized, deadline-driven and a strong communicator
  • Based in Southern California and able to commute daily to an office in East San Diego County

Compensation & Benefits

  • $120,000 – $150,000 base, depending on experience
  • Multiple medical and dental plan options
  • Voluntary vision, life and AD&D coverage
  • Aflac
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid vacation, holiday and sick time
  • Employee Assistance Program

This is a confidential search. The employer is disclosed to qualified candidates after an initial conversation.

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