Senior Project Estimator

LoJac • Lebanon, TN

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Estimator will lead the bidding and cost-estimation process for large-scale hydrovac, industrial vacuum, and utility locating projects. This individual evaluates RFP/RFQ packages, conducts comprehensive site assessments, and builds competitive pricing models factoring in crew sizes, water sourcing, transit, and environmental disposal fees. The ideal candidate combines technical civil construction knowledge with sharp financial acumen to maximize project profitability while mitigating operational risks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent intensive field-to-office experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of construction estimating experience, with at least 2–3 years focused specifically on hydrovac, underground utility construction, directional drilling, or heavy civil excavation.
• Proficiency with industry-standard estimating software (e.g., B2W, HCSS HeavyBid, or Bluebeam) and digital quantity take-offs.
• Deep comprehension of underground damage prevention guidelines, OSHA safety protocols, and regional utility-locating standards (e.g., Common Ground Alliance regulations).
• Exceptional negotiation and presentation skills for interacting with municipal engineers, general contractors, and private developers.
• Willingness to travel regionally for mandatory pre-bid meetings and physical site walkthroughs

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive, multi-tiered cost estimates from blueprints, utility maps, SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering) plans, and RFP documents
• Formulate accurate pricing that explicitly accounts for hydro-excavation variables: soil composition (e.g., clay vs. frost), water access points, dump-site/tipping fees, slurry disposal logistics, and specialized tooling
• Review project footprints for high-risk hazards such as high-voltage utility lines, tight urban footprints, or environmental restrictions, factoring contingency margins into proposals
• Solicit, review, and negotiate quotes for ancillary project costs, including traffic control, restoration/backfill materials, and specialized safety gear (e.g., shoring)
• Conduct pre-bid site visits to evaluate physical job conditions, travel logistics, and potential access constraints for heavy hydrovac trucks.
• Partner with Project Managers and Field Superintendents during project handoffs to ensure accurate operational execution aligns with bid assumptions
• Track, analyze, and benchmark actual post-project costs against original estimates to continuously refine the company's proprietary pricing database

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior