Chief Estimator

Application Instructions

Ralph L Wadsworth is looking for a Chief Estimator to join their team in Draper, UT!

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.

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.

• Influencing which projects we pursue — and why
• Driving innovation to the benefit of our clients through various collaborative delivery methods (DB, PDB & CM/GC)
• Shaping RLW’s long‑term development by tracking opportunities, market trends & mentoring your team
• 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:

• A mix of Public and Private infrastructure work
• Design‑Build (DB), Progressive Design‑Build (PDB), CM/GC and Traditional Bid‑Build Projects
• Contracts ranging from $10M to $1B+
• 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.

• Lead the overall estimating and preconstruction strategy
• Provide engaged training and mentoring of staff
• Partner with Leadership to identify market opportunities and pursuit strategy
• Mentor and develop Senior and Junior Estimators
• Lead by example to create a culture of accountability, precision, and collaboration

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

• Work closely with Field Operations to validate and implement pursuit assumptions through extended field involvement
• Understand industry production history and current best practices
• Perform constructability reviews with Field Operations

• 10+ years of civil, concrete, earthwork, underground, PCCP, geotechnical, site development and/or similar estimating experience
• Proven experience leading pursuits and estimates in the $20M–$100M+ range
• Expert in bottom‑up estimating and subject‑matter expert in one or more RLW market sectors
• Expert in analyzing alternate methods, sequencing, phasing and quantification
• Experience with public, private and alternative delivery projects
• Expertise in tools such as Bid2
  
  Win, HCSS Heavy Bid, Primavera/Planera, AGTEK, Autodesk Civil 3D, Bentley, Tekla, Building Connected or similar design and construction software packages
• 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.