About this role
Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil
Location: Bridgeport, CT (Hybrid work is available upon agreement after 1 year in office) Job Type: Full-Time Compensation: $160,000–$180,000 (DOE) + Excellent Benefits & Bonus Program
Position Summary
Waters Construction is seeking a Senior Heavy Civil Estimator who wants more than another estimating job. We are backfilling a senior estimator who has been with the company for 25 years and are looking for the right person to train for a near-future Chief Estimator role.
The right person can price the work, understand how it will be built, create Primavera pre-award schedules, prepare baseline schedules after award, and communicate risk clearly before bid day.
What you will do:
• Prepare and review estimates for roadwork, sitework, paving, drainage, utilities, earthwork, concrete and subcontracted scopes.
• Perform and review quantity takeoffs from plans, profiles, cross sections, bid forms and specifications.
• Build estimates from labor, equipment, materials, trucking, subcontractors, vendors and production assumptions.
• Create Primavera pre-award schedules for bid strategy, phasing, procurement, MOT, milestones and project duration.
• Create Primavera baseline schedules after award for owner submission and project control.
• Review subcontractor and vendor quotes for scope gaps, exclusions and schedule risk.
• Participate in bid reviews and support the handoff from estimating to operations.
• Help mentor junior estimators and grow toward estimating department leadership.
What we are looking for:
• Significant heavy civil estimating experience. 5-10 years of civil estimating experience
• Strong understanding of roadwork, sitework, paving, drainage, utilities, earthwork, concrete and subcontracted scopes.
• Ability to estimate from field production, not just historical unit prices.
• Hands-on Primavera experience.
• Ability to create pre-award schedules and baseline schedules.
• Strong plan reading, specification review and quantity takeoff ability.
• Understanding of equipment, crews, trucking, staging, traffic control, productivity, weather and sequencing.
• Calm judgment, high accountability, strong follow-through and willingness to learn Waters' way.
Why this opportunity is different:
• This is a succession opportunity, not a short-term seat.
• The person hired will learn from long-standing 65 years of Waters estimating knowledge.
• The role works closely with leadership, estimating, operations and field personnel.
• For the right person, this role can become a path toward Chief Estimator.
Compensation and benefits:
• Salary Range: $160,000 – $180,000 (DOE)
• Insurance: Premium Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (100% paid for the individual, 50% for family members)
• Bonus Program: Based on individual, company, and division performance
• 401k and Profit Sharing Plan: Safe harbor 401K profit sharing contribution. One-year vesting period for the profit sharing contribution.
• Paid holidays
• Professional development and training
Location:
This position is based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Regular office presence is expected. Hybrid work arrangement is available upon agreement after 1 year in office. Occasional travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and field reviews may be required.
Waters Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer. $160,000-180,000