Extraordinary commitment runs deep at Zachry. Here, dedicated men and women have the opportunity to work on challenging projects alongside those who value innovation and support team efforts in all our endeavors. We take care of our team members as family, within a culture of service where we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Our core values are at the center of every decision we make:
Every Person Matters®
Together We Can Do Great Things®
This Is More Than a Job®
Job Summary
The Lead Estimator will coordinate a team of estimators’ activities and will review and approve estimates, handle records maintenance, and provide guidance to team members. This includes developing a bid strategy and leading and executing the entire bid process for negotiated and hard bids. The Lead Estimator will establish and maintain budget control during the estimating and preconstruction phases of the project.

Essential Functions

• Lead the estimating team through the estimating process
• Can develop a green sheet and delegate estimating assignments to the team
• Review plans and specifications
• Evaluate and prepare self-perform and subcontract cost estimates of assigned discipline items
• Develop thorough, timely, and accurate estimates
• Visit the project to understand site conditions/restrictions
• Assure the teams’ take-offs are accurate
• Review and incorporate historical data from subcontracts, productivity analysis reports, etc., into unit and man-hour figures
• Coordinate with subcontractors about the prospective project
• Create an estimate in Hard Dollar and verify that all costs are in the correct pay items
• Work on a preliminary project schedule based on the information provided in the plans and specifications, utilizing Primavera P6
• Work with the team to close the estimate
• Cross-train Estimators and Senior Estimators in other disciplines, and prepare them for advancement and fieldwork

This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this position. The job summary is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience as an estimator working in all aspects of heavy/highway construction projects (Structures, Bridges, Underground, Earthwork, and Concrete Paving) on projects $50M+
• Experience leading an estimating team
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a similar discipline is preferred
• Previous field operations experience preferred
• Experience collaborating with owners, contractors, and other project team members to provide engineering and cost data regarding project feasibility
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills; detail-oriented
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft programs such as Excel and Word
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Hard Dollar and Primavera P6 experience is strongly preferred
• Additional working knowledge preferred but not required: Bluebeam, AutoCAD, MicroStation, HCSS (Heavy Bid), and Terra Model

• Lead the estimating team through the estimating process
• Can develop a green sheet and delegate estimating assignments to the team
• Review plans and specifications
• Evaluate and prepare self-perform and subcontract cost estimates of assigned discipline items
• Develop thorough, timely, and accurate estimates
• Visit the project to understand site conditions/restrictions
• Assure the teams’ take-offs are accurate
• Review and incorporate historical data from subcontracts, productivity analysis reports, etc., into unit and man-hour figures
• Coordinate with subcontractors about the prospective project
• Create an estimate in Hard Dollar and verify that all costs are in the correct pay items
• Work on a preliminary project schedule based on the information provided in the plans and specifications, utilizing Primavera P6
• Work with the team to close the estimate
• Cross-train Estimators and Senior Estimators in other disciplines, and prepare them for advancement and fieldwor