Location: Cookeville, TN
Work Setting: Primarily onsite in the Cookeville office. A short-term remote or flexible arrangement may be considered during relocation for the right candidate, but this is not a permanent remote or hybrid position.
Travel: Approximately once per month for pre-bid meetings, site visits, and occasional business development activities. Most travel is regional day trips with occasional overnight stays.
Compensation: $100,000–$140,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus annual discretionary bonus and participation in a project performance/profit sharing program
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, company vehicle or vehicle allowance (where applicable), fuel card, company-paid lodging, per diem, and reimbursed travel expenses
Relocation: Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
Estimator – Heavy Civil Construction
Position Summary
A well-established and growing heavy civil contractor is seeking an experienced Estimator to join its preconstruction team in Cookeville, Tennessee.
This position offers far more than traditional estimating responsibilities. The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing competitive bids for heavy civil, water, wastewater, underground utility, and infrastructure projects while positioning themselves for future leadership within the estimating and preconstruction department.
The organization is making this strategic hire as part of its long-term succession planning. You'll work alongside experienced estimating professionals, contribute immediately to complex infrastructure projects, and have the opportunity to grow into a leadership role as the department continues to expand.
If you're looking for a company that values long-term career development, collaboration, and continuous improvement, this is an outstanding opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for heavy civil, water, wastewater, underground utility, excavation, grading, and infrastructure projects
- Review plans, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements to develop accurate and competitive proposals
- Prepare estimates for projects ranging from approximately $1 million to $50 million, with most projects falling between $10 million and $25 million
- Perform quantity takeoffs and develop pricing using Excel-based estimating tools
- Solicit, evaluate, and compare subcontractor and supplier quotations
- Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project walkthroughs as needed
- Identify project risks, scope gaps, scheduling challenges, and cost drivers during the estimating process
- Collaborate with operations, project management, and field leadership to ensure estimates reflect practical execution strategies
- Support continuous improvement of estimating processes, templates, and preconstruction systems
- Build strong relationships with clients, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders
- Represent the company professionally during client meetings and industry events
Assist with strategic bid planning and contribute to profitable project execution
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Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of construction estimating experience
- Experience estimating heavy civil, underground utilities, water, wastewater, excavation, grading, or related infrastructure projects
- Strong understanding of construction estimating principles and bid preparation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact confidently with clients and project teams
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
Desire and ability to grow into a leadership role within the estimating department
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Preferred Qualifications
- Direct estimating experience with water and wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, or utility infrastructure
- Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field (preferred but not required)
- Experience developing process improvements and estimating best practices
Familiarity with public infrastructure bidding and municipal construction projects
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Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a collaborative estimator who combines strong technical estimating abilities with excellent communication skills and leadership potential.
You may currently be working as a:
- Estimator
- Senior Estimator
- Preconstruction Estimator
- Heavy Civil Estimator
- Civil Construction Estimator
- Underground Utilities Estimator
- Water/Wastewater Estimator
- Infrastructure Estimator
Whether you're an experienced estimator looking for your next leadership opportunity or a strong mid-level professional ready to take the next step in your career, we'd like to hear from you.
Why Join Us?
- Join a respected heavy civil contractor with a strong backlog of infrastructure work
- Work on challenging projects that improve communities through water, wastewater, and utility construction
- Receive mentorship from experienced preconstruction leaders while preparing for future advancement
- Participate in a performance-based profit sharing program tied to successful project execution
- Enjoy a collaborative culture where new ideas and process improvements are welcomed
- Build a long-term career with a company committed to internal growth and succession planning
