Lead Estimator - Water

Locations: Overland Park, KS; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; San Diego, CA; Nashville, TN; Arlington, VA; Fort Worth, TX; Austin, TX; Rochester, NY; Jacksonville, FL; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Fort Myers, FL; Houston, TX; New York, NY; Tucson, AZ; Savannah, GA; Irvine, CA; Creve Coeur, MO; Oklahoma City, OK; Memphis, TN

About the role

Join the Black & Veatch Construction team and build with pride. As a 100% employee-owned company, every role matters — you own your work, your impact, and your future. We lead with care, and safety is non-negotiable and embedded into every role, site, and decision. From field engineering to project management to quality and startup, you’ll work with cutting-edge technology, learn from seasoned experts, and grow through real-world, hands-on experience. With a strong backlog across power, water, grid, and industrial markets, you’ll have the stability to grow and the opportunity to shape what comes next.

This is a hybrid position at one of our US Regional Offices.

Responsibilities

• Retains primary accountability for estimate compliance for each project.
• Prepares complete and accurate cost estimates.
• Performs quantity takeoffs for estimates including assigning crews and productivity for each discipline.
• Performs reviews of all scopes to ensure compliance with the project documents.
• Prepares cost estimates on proposals, projects, and studies and ensures that the content of the estimate is complete, accurate, and meets the requirements of the estimate, project location, and design plan.
• Works with the design teams to understand the complexity, size, and process systems required for the project.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to the design team in the preparation of all levels of estimates ranging in scope and complexity from a simple factored estimate to an extremely complex multi-billion-dollar lump sum bid.
• Effectively manages multiple projects and estimate timelines.
• Coordinates with design, operation, and procurement teams on project status, specific project requirements, and due dates.
• Communicates with estimating team on all stages of project, time limits, and support required.
• Appraises overall accuracy of estimates and recommends contingencies for estimates such as Lump Sum bids, Defined Estimates, and Interim Control Estimates.
• Assists the Solution Team Leader with an independent assessment of an estimate's accuracy (upon completion of the estimate and summarization of all detailed man-hours, material, construction, and home office costs).
• Ensures the orderly flow of project assignments through his area in keeping with schedules and within budgeted hours.
• Responsible for directing, training, and developing subordinates or Junior Estimators.
• Proactively supports, encourages, and facilitates staff to engage in continuous improvement activities.
• Plans, coordinates, reviews, verifies, and analyzes all aspects of estimates and estimate presentation.
• Assists in planning and development of the necessary formal training programs to maintain and improve estimating techniques, procedures, and capabilities for both new and experienced personnel.
• Maintains familiarity with estimating and cost engineering developments and activities outside the company and assesses their significance, suggesting application to company business where warranted.
• Identifies and assesses improvement opportunities which will add value.
• Champions continuous improvement efforts.
• Helps in the maintenance of the Company estimating database.
• Other administrative, supervisory, and technical duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 8 to 20 years of relevant experience, including some estimating experience.
• Bidding experience.
• Field and/or project experience.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• BS or MS graduate in Construction Management or related field experience is preferred but not required.
• Cost control and scheduling exposure is a plus.
• AACE CEP or CCP certification is a plus but not required.

Skills

• Ability to manage extremely complex estimates (e.g., in size, scope, or organization, multinational joint ventures).
• Scheduling/planning skills.
• Cost engineering skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Development of subordinates.
• Mathematical skills.
• Project design scopes.
• Consulting skills.
• Problem-solving.
• Planning skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Consensus team builder.
• Function in an international joint environment.
• Interpret and understand specifications and contracts.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• InEight Estimating.
• On-Screen Takeoff.
• RS Means and MCASES (MII) are required.
• Experience estimating, working with, and/or working for the Corp of Engineers is a plus.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Typical office environment.
• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance, and work assignments.
• This position will require an average of 0%-5% travel.

Pay

In accordance with local requirements, the annual compensation ranges for this role are listed below by state or jurisdiction and reflect the applicable office location(s) within each. Final compensation is determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, internal alignment, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

• State of California: $153,709 - $260,676
• State of Colorado: $147,026 - $220,572
• State of Illinois: $147,026 - $220,572
• State of Massachusetts: $160,392 - $240,624
• State of Minnesota: $140,343 - $210,546
• State of New York: $167,075 - $250,650
• State of Virginia: $140,343 - $240,624
• State of Washington: $160,392 - $240,624

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits portfolio including medical, dental, and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.
• Flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time.
• Company matched 401k plan.
• Adoption reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan, and the B&V Credit Union.
• Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.
• As a 100 percent ESOP-owned company, employees share in the financial rewards of the company's success through stock ownership.