Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead

Trueline's client, a long-established employee-owned general contractor with a strong reputation across California, is seeking a Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead to join their team in Bakersfield, CA. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced estimator who can lead a growing estimating function, partner with executive leadership to pursue and win new work, and help shape backlog strategy across multifamily, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. The role combines hands-on estimating leadership with business development visibility, making it a strong fit for someone who wants to influence both project pursuit strategy and long-term company growth.

What You'll Do as the Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3 estimators and 1 estimating assistant
• Oversee estimating workload, deadlines, quality control, and departmental performance
• Prepare and lead conceptual, design-build, negotiated, and hard-bid estimates across a range of project types
• Review drawings, specifications, takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, general conditions, allowances, contingencies, and final bid strategy
• Partner with company leadership to identify and pursue new project opportunities that strengthen backlog
• Participate in bid strategy, bid/no-bid decisions, value engineering, and pricing discussions
• Serve as a visible client-facing representative in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and preconstruction conversations
• Build and maintain relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and other industry partners
• Help position the company competitively through strong communication, market insight, and strategic estimating support
• Maintain estimating databases, cost history, and benchmarking tools to improve consistency and decision-making
• Support clean turnover to project management after award, including scopes, clarifications, schedules, proposals, and handoff documentation
• Track estimating performance metrics such as estimate accuracy, win rate, profitability, and backlog contribution

Must-Haves as the Sales / Lead Estimator:

• 10+ years of construction estimating experience with a general contractor
• Strong estimating experience in multifamily and commercial construction
• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing an estimating team
• Ability to develop conceptual, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates
• Strong understanding of California construction practices, building code, and market conditions
• Confidence operating in a client-facing leadership role, not solely a back-office estimating function
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage owners, executives, project teams, and subcontractors
• Ability to work onsite in Bakersfield, CA
• Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills

Nice-to-Haves as the Sales / Lead Estimator:

• Experience with multifamily projects ranging from mid-size to large apartment communities
• Exposure to institutional, education, medical, religious, hospitality-style, or light industrial projects
• Experience with value engineering, subcontractor prequalification, and vendor strategy
• Background supporting executive bid presentations, risk reviews, and backlog planning
• Familiarity with tools such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, RSMeans, Sage Estimating, Autodesk Takeoff, ProEst, and Microsoft Office
• Interest in improving estimating workflows through technology or AI-assisted takeoff tools
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field
• Certifications such as CMAA, AACE, or CCS

Our Client Offers:

• Base salary in the $200,000-$265,000 range
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Employee ownership through an ESOP
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Company-paid employee medical coverage
• Dental and vision coverage options
• FSA options for medical and dependent care
• EAP and mental health resources
• Basic life insurance plus voluntary life options
• Negotiable PTO, with up to 3 weeks available
• 5 sick days and 8 paid holidays
• Tuition, training, and certification support as needed
• Mileage reimbursement and possible fuel support depending on role
• Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate

Trueline and its clients are 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.