Structurer/Estimator - Water & Wastewater Operations

Inframark•Katy, TX

About The Position

Inframark's Operations and Maintenance team is an award-winning team that delivers cutting-edge water, wastewater, and public works services to municipalities, utility districts, and industries. We are dedicated to supporting our employees as well as protecting the environment and the communities we serve. You would be empowered to thrive in a dynamic, supportive, and innovative environment. Take the next step in your career and join us at Inframark. Apply today! We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Structurer/Estimator to join our Water & Wastewater Operations team. In this mid-level role, you will work closely with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders to prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates for a range of water and wastewater projects. You’ll play a key role in our project planning, bidding, and implementation processes, contributing your knowledge of cost structures, materials, labor, and operational requirements to support successful project execution. Your insights will be instrumental in driving cost optimization strategies that support project efficiency and financial goals.

Requirements

Minimum 3-5 years in estimating, cost structuring, or related roles, preferably within the water and wastewater industry.
Deep understanding of water and wastewater system performance, including treatment process optimization, regulatory compliance frameworks, and operational cost structures. Strong familiarity with key cost drivers such as chemicals, biosolids handling and disposal, energy consumption, and labor utilization.
Strong ability to interpret technical documents and project plans to develop accurate cost estimates.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with various teams and presenting estimates to stakeholders.
Experience with estimating software (e.g., ProEst, Sage Estimating) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with cost structures and regulations specific to water and wastewater projects.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple project estimates simultaneously.
Ability to collaborate with team members to hone in on best cost structures.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with technical specialists, project managers, business developers, and regional leadership to understand project objectives, requirements, and scope, integrating these insights into detailed cost estimates for new pursuits as well as renewal efforts.
Develop zero-based cost estimates for water and wastewater projects, including labor, consumables, maintenance, materials, equipment, subcontractor costs, and operational costs — including flow variability, influent loadings (BOD, TSS, nutrients), wet weather impacts, and system inefficiencies (e.g., inflow and infiltration [I/I])—and translate these variables into dynamic estimating assumptions and cost scenarios.
Interpret technical specifications, permits (e.g., NPDES), service level agreements, and performance guarantees to ensure estimates appropriately reflect compliance requirements, operational obligations, and associated cost and risk exposure.
Identify cost optimization strategies by evaluating materials, labor, and process efficiencies to reduce project costs without compromising quality or compliance.
Analyze project specifications and collaborate with the project team to identify cost-related risks and opportunities/optimizations.
Conduct market research on materials and labor costs, monitoring trends to make informed pricing adjustments and support competitive proposals.
Create structured, well-documented cost proposals to support project bidding processes, ensuring clear communication of cost breakdowns, assumptions, and justifications.
Review project processes and specifications to ensure accuracy in estimating scope and potential challenges.
Maintain and update cost databases and templates, ensuring consistent, accurate data and providing project teams with reliable reference points for pricing and cost control.
Engage with vendors and suppliers to gather and verify cost data, negotiating pricing and terms when necessary to ensure competitive procurement.
Contribute to budgeting and financial planning for project proposals and execution, working with stakeholders to align cost projections with financial goals as needed.