Marine/Heavy Civil Chief Estimator

At SJ Hamill, estimating is the backbone of our success. We are seeking a seasoned estimating leader to head the function at a growing heavy civil and marine contractor. This is a senior leadership role for a candidate with the experience, judgment, and commercial instincts to shape how the company pursues and wins work. 

The Opportunity 

As Chief Estimator, you will lead the estimating function at an established East Coast heavy civil and marine contractor. This is a senior leadership position with full ownership of estimating strategy, pursuit selection, and pricing posture across the company's portfolio. You will be a key voice in determining which opportunities the company pursues and how it positions to win them. 

You will work directly with ownership, project executives, and operations leadership, and will play a central role in the continued growth and maturation of the estimating organization. 

Why This Role 

• Executive-level influence. A seat at the table with ownership and senior leadership, with direct input on strategy, pursuit decisions, and the future of the estimating function. 

• Significant portfolio. Bulkheads, piers, dredging, marine structures, and waterfront infrastructure projects of meaningful scale and complexity. 

• Stable backlog, ambitious growth. An established company with private equity backing and the capital to pursue larger, more complex projects. You will help shape that trajectory. 

• Tools and resources. HCSS HeavyBid, Primavera P6, AutoCAD, and a deep network of established subcontractor and vendor relationships. 

• Executive compensation package. Senior-level base, performance-based incentives, and a benefits program designed for long-term retention of leadership talent. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the full lifecycle of project estimates, from go/no-go evaluation through contract execution, on heavy civil and marine pursuits. 

• Develop bid strategy and win themes for competitive and government-procured pursuits, including pricing posture, risk positioning, and compliance with public bid requirements. 

• Direct quantity takeoffs, detailed cost build-ups, schedule development, resource loading, and value engineering analysis. 

• Manage subcontractor and vendor relationships, ensuring competitive and reliable pricing across all pursuits. 

• Represent the company in pre-bid meetings, site visits, client presentations, and contract negotiations. 

• Maintain and continuously improve the estimating database, historical cost library, and departmental standards. 

• Mentor and develop estimating staff, building the bench strength to support continued company growth. 

Qualifications 

This role calls for a senior practitioner with demonstrated leadership experience and deep technical command of marine construction. 

• 10+ years of estimating experience with a primary focus on marine construction, supported by working knowledge of broader heavy civil disciplines. Prior leadership of estimating functions or major pursuits required. 

• Advanced proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid, including assembly development, crew management, and sensitivity analysis. 

• Comprehensive command of marine construction means and methods, including pile driving, dredging, cofferdams, bulkheads, sheet pile, marine concrete, tidal and weather considerations, and USACE and waterfront permitting requirements. Familiarity with adjacent heavy civil scopes (earthwork, structural concrete, utilities, site work) is expected. 

• Demonstrated track record of winning work and exercising disciplined go/no-go judgment. 

• Proven ways and means to win competitive bids and government contracts, including familiarity with public procurement processes, prevailing wage requirements, DBE/MBE participation, bonding, and federal/state/municipal bid documentation (USACE, NAVFAC, DOT, port authorities, and similar agencies). 

• Strong commercial acumen, including the ability to assess contract risk and price it accurately. 

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent professional experience. 

• Working proficiency with Primavera P6, AutoCAD, and the Microsoft Office suite. 

• Established leadership presence, with the ability to direct bid pursuits, advise ownership, and develop estimating staff. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Senior-level compensation package, including performance-based incentives. 

• Relocation assistance available, depending on package. 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, accident, and illness insurance. 

• Company-paid disability and life insurance. 

• Health Savings Account contribution of up to $1,000 per year. 

• 401(k) with company match. 

• Generous PTO: vacation, sick, and holiday pay built for a real life outside of work. 

• Tuition reimbursement and full LinkedIn Learning access. 

• Mental and physical wellness programs and an Employee Assistance Program with major-vendor discounts. 

• Career runway with a stable, established organization that promotes from within. 

**Applications submitted without a resume will not be considered.

**CSG/SJ Hamill does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of CSG/SJ Hamill without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of CSG/SJ Hamill.

SJ Hamill Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.