Chief Estimator

About Ralph L Wadsworth

For more than 50 years, RLW has delivered complex, high-impact infrastructure projects across the western United States. We are proud of our Legacy of designing, innovating and building projects and careers. Our markets include Transportation, E-Infrastructure, Water Resources, Rail, Buildings & Geotechnical Solutions. We build and service the infrastructure that enables our economy to run, our people to move and our country to grow.

Why Top Preconstruction Leaders Choose RLW

At RLW, our Chief Estimators are not a back-office function. It is a critical position within the company responsible for accuracy, critical thinking and the ability to be a leader.

You’ll be:

1. Influencing which projects we pursue — and why
2. Driving innovation to the benefit of our clients through various collaborative delivery methods (DB, PDB & CM/GC)
3. Shaping RLW’s long-term development by tracking opportunities, market trends & mentoring your team.
4. Partnering directly with Clients, Designers, Trade Partners, Operations and Executive Leadership

Our Preconstruction teams work on highly complex projects across multiple market segments in the West. That means exposure to:

1. A mix of Public and Private infrastructure work
2. Design-Build (DB), Progressive Design-Build(PDB), CM/GC and Traditional Bid-Build Projects
3. Contracts ranging from $10M to $1B+
4. A collaborative culture where preconstruction and field operations truly work as one team

If you’re passionate about building winning strategies — not just winning bids — this is where you want to be. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for performance, accuracy, mentorship and market positioning. The Chief Estimator plays a critical role in helping lead RLW’s estimating function and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on market strategy, pursuit selection, and long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Development

1. Lead the overall estimating and preconstruction strategy
2. Provides engaged training and mentoring of staff
3. Partner with Leadership to identify market opportunities and pursuit strategy
4. Mentor and develop Senior and Junior Estimators
5. Lead by example to creates a culture of accountability, precision, and collaboration

Ownership of Pursuits

1. Oversee complex infrastructure pursuits including estimates and proposal support with engineering/marketing departments
2. Guide bottoms-up estimate development with a hands-on approach
3. Lead internal bid reviews and client presentations
4. Ensure competitive pursuits through development of innovation & strategy

Operational Alignment

1. Work closely with Field Operations to validate and implement pursuit assumptions through extended field involvement
2. Understanding of industry production history and current best practices
3. Ability to perform constructability reviews with Field Operations

Who you Are

1. 10+ years of civil, concrete, earthwork, underground, PCCP, geotechnical, site development and/or similar estimating experience
2. Proven experience leading pursuits and estimates in the $20M–$100M+ range
3. Expert in bottom-up estimating and subject matter expert in one or more RLW market sectors
4. Expert in analyzing alternate methods, sequencing, phasing and quantification
5. Experience with public, private and alternative delivery projects
6. Expertise in tools such as Bid2Win, HCSS HeavyBid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodesk Civil 3D, Bentley, Tekla, Building Connected or similar design and construction software packages
7. Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or similar field

We are an equal opportunity employer: We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, military status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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