Trueline, a long-established, family-owned heavy highway and civil contractor serving major public infrastructure markets throughout the Northeast, is seeking a Senior Estimator to join their team in the Long Island, New York area. This is more than a traditional estimating position - the successful candidate will take ownership of the estimating function, help build and develop the department, mentor a Junior Estimator, and play an important role in the company's continued growth.
What You'll Do as the Senior Estimator:
- Lead estimates for heavy highway, transportation, pavement, bridge, and related civil construction projects from initial review through final bid
- Review drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents to determine scope, risk, quantities, and project requirements
- Perform and oversee detailed quantity takeoffs for roadway, bridge, pavement cutting, groove work, joint and crack sealing, and related scopes
- Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and supplier pricing
- Lead estimating efforts for NYSDOT, CTDOT, and other public-agency projects
- Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals
- Prepare competitive bid packages, proposals, schedules of values, and supporting documentation
- Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, bid reviews, and strategy discussions
- Work closely with ownership, Project Managers, and field personnel to validate production assumptions, constructability, and pricing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with general contractors, customers, subcontractors, and industry partners
- Maintain historical cost information and improve estimating processes, systems, and tools
- Help structure and grow the estimating department as the company continues expanding
- Mentor and develop a Junior Estimator, progressively increasing their estimating responsibilities
- Expand into additional scopes, including foundation waterproofing and weathersealing, as the estimating function develops
Must-Haves as the Senior Estimator:
- 10+ years of heavy highway, heavy civil, transportation, or comparable construction estimating experience
- Demonstrated ability to independently own estimates from opportunity review through final submission
- Strong experience with public infrastructure and DOT bidding
- Strong understanding of construction means and methods, production rates, labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractor pricing
- Ability to read and interpret complex plans, specifications, and contract documents
- Experience managing multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Leadership mindset with a genuine interest in building a team and mentoring developing estimators
- Willingness to estimate across multiple scopes rather than remaining narrowly specialized
Nice-to-Haves as the Senior Estimator:
- MassDOT or Port Authority estimating experience
- Bridge, tunnel, airport, or other complex transportation infrastructure experience
- Pavement cutting, joint and crack sealing, waterproofing, or specialty heavy highway experience
- Experience building or leading an estimating department
- Existing relationships or a book of business within the Northeast heavy civil market
- Proficiency with Bluebeam, Estimating Link, or comparable estimating platforms
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline
We Offer:
- Base salary of $160,000-$200,000, depending on experience
- Potential flexibility above the stated range for an exceptional candidate bringing a meaningful, quantifiable book of business
- Performance-based bonus opportunity tied to project and company results
- Health insurance with employer contribution
- Dental and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Potential relocation flexibility for an exceptional candidate
- Hybrid flexibility as trust and familiarity with the organization develop
- Direct access to hands-on company ownership and leadership
- Opportunity to build and shape an estimating department rather than simply inherit an established process
- Opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of estimating talent
- Long-term advancement within a growing heavy civil organization
- Stable, family-owned environment with decades of history and major public infrastructure relationships
Trueline is an unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.