Estimator Jobs in Virginia
Estimator jobs in Virginia are consistently active, concentrated in construction, government contracting, and defense sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level project estimator through senior cost engineer. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where established employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Hensel Phelps, and DXC Technology regularly seek estimators with strong technical and analytical skills. The most in-demand specialties in the state are construction cost estimating, federal contract pricing, and mechanical and electrical systems estimating. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Estimator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 138+ Estimator jobs
What’s it like working for a company where you are treated as more than a number? Empowering. Joining our Finance & Estimating team means you are the backbone behind managing all the financial aspects for multiple contracts and programs that help keep our nation safe. Our team is currently looking for a Senior Estimator who is ready for new challenges and experiences with a variety of opportunities.
At BAE Systems, we value our workforce, and that means providing our employees with competitive salary and benefit packages and plenty of resources for career growth. Make a difference doing work you can be proud of and be part of a team that shares a passion for protecting those who protect us.
As a Senior Estimator, you will:
- Serve as a senior team member to provide the business with consistent, detailed and formalized man-hour cost estimates for proposed ship repair and fabrication projects
- Review customer specifications and drawings to develop man-hour estimates, by work item and/or work package, for the repair, renewal or modification of structural outfit, piping, machinery, electrical or preservation system components for military and commercial ships
- Collaborate with contract administrators, material planners, subcontract administrators, planning, and finance personnel to ensure accurate estimates
- Prepare detailed Basis of Estimates (BOEs) that clearly define estimating methodologies, components and factors utilized to prepare bids or proposals
- Work closely with trade personnel, operations and program teams to ensure bid accuracy and support Request for Bid Approval (RBA) meetings with leadership
- Lead small teams of estimators, sharing technical expertise and experience, during large proposal creation. Maintain responsibility for on-time delivery of all bid documents
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Typically a Bachelors degree and 4 years of experience in Navy vessel repairs, marine repair craft, or equivalent cost estimating experience. Work experience considered in place of formal education
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand 4-E work specifications and drawings
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft365 Excel and Word
- Basic understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARs)
- Detail-oriented and self-motivated individual with excellent analytical skills
- Effective time management and communication skills to ensure complete, accurate bids spanning work effort across multiple departments and stakeholders
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Experience with Work Item Specification review, comprehension, and execution
- U.S. Naval experience in Electrical, Machinery or Electronic ratings preferably in a leadership or managerial capacity
- Prior shipyard experience and familiarity with shipboard repair standards and practices
- A bachelor’s degree focused on manufacturing or business cost estimating or equivalent
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $75254 - $127930
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
What’s it like working for a company where you are treated as more than a number? Empowering. Joining our Finance & Estimating team means you are the backbone behind managing all the financial aspects for multiple contracts and programs that help keep our nation safe. Our team is currently looking for a Senior Estimator who is ready for new challenges and experiences with a variety of opportunities.
At BAE Systems, we value our workforce, and that means providing our employees with competitive salary and benefit packages and plenty of resources for career growth. Make a difference doing work you can be proud of and be part of a team that shares a passion for protecting those who protect us.
As a Senior Estimator, you will:
- Serve as a senior team member to provide the business with consistent, detailed and formalized man-hour cost estimates for proposed ship repair and fabrication projects
- Review customer specifications and drawings to develop man-hour estimates, by work item and/or work package, for the repair, renewal or modification of structural outfit, piping, machinery, electrical or preservation system components for military and commercial ships
- Collaborate with contract administrators, material planners, subcontract administrators, planning, and finance personnel to ensure accurate estimates
- Prepare detailed Basis of Estimates (BOEs) that clearly define estimating methodologies, components and factors utilized to prepare bids or proposals
- Work closely with trade personnel, operations and program teams to ensure bid accuracy and support Request for Bid Approval (RBA) meetings with leadership
- Lead small teams of estimators, sharing technical expertise and experience, during large proposal creation. Maintain responsibility for on-time delivery of all bid documents
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Typically a Bachelors degree and 4 years of experience in Navy vessel repairs, marine repair craft, or equivalent cost estimating experience. Work experience considered in place of formal education
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand 4-E work specifications and drawings
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft365 Excel and Word
- Basic understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARs)
- Detail-oriented and self-motivated individual with excellent analytical skills
- Effective time management and communication skills to ensure complete, accurate bids spanning work effort across multiple departments and stakeholders
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Experience with Work Item Specification review, comprehension, and execution
- U.S. Naval experience in Electrical, Machinery or Electronic ratings preferably in a leadership or managerial capacity
- Prior shipyard experience and familiarity with shipboard repair standards and practices
- A bachelor’s degree focused on manufacturing or business cost estimating or equivalent
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $75254 - $127930
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
See All 138+ Estimator Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Estimator JobsEstimator Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Estimator Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Caliber10
- DPR Construction6
- Gerber Collision & Glass6
- Rosendin Electric4
- Atlantic Constructors4
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in estimator jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in estimating software such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, or On-Screen Takeoff
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications, and RFPs
- Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or AACE certification preferred by many Virginia employers
- Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations for government contracting roles in Northern Virginia
- Strong written communication skills for bid proposals and internal cost reporting
Estimator Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a estimator in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license specifically for estimators, so the path typically starts with a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field from a Virginia institution such as Virginia Tech, George Mason University, or Old Dominion University. From there, employers expect hands-on experience reading plans and preparing bids, and earning a professional credential like the Certified Professional Estimator through the American Society of Professional Estimators strengthens your candidacy considerably.
How much do estimators make in Virginia?
Estimators in Virginia earn a median of about $80,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,820 for the lowest 10% to over $129,330 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire estimators in Virginia?
Employers hiring estimators in Virginia right now include Caliber, DPR Construction, and Gerber Collision & Glass, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors in Northern Virginia means many of these openings involve government contract pricing and proposal development alongside traditional construction cost roles.
Which Virginia cities have the most estimator jobs?
Richmond, Norfolk, and Sterling account for the most estimator openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia drives volume through its dense cluster of federal contractors and technology firms, Richmond draws from commercial construction and infrastructure projects tied to state government, and Hampton Roads reflects steady demand from military base construction, shipbuilding, and coastal infrastructure work.
Are there remote estimator jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since much estimating work involves site visits, contractor meetings, and reviewing physical plans. About 16% of estimator openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and the roles most likely to offer flexibility are federal contract pricing analysts and software-based quantity takeoff positions that do not require regular site access.
How can I get hired as a estimator in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an estimating assistant or project engineer role with a regional construction general contractor or a Northern Virginia federal contractor, where you support senior estimators on bid packages before leading your own. Larger Virginia employers like Clark Construction and HITT Contracting run structured internship and new-graduate programs that place candidates directly into estimating departments. An associate's degree in construction technology from a Virginia community college, combined with documented takeoff experience using software like Bluebeam, makes a strong initial application even without a four-year degree.
Where can I find and apply to estimator jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to estimator jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 138+ Estimator Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Estimator Jobs