Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Senior Cost Estimator jobs are open across construction, manufacturing, defense, and engineering firms, from mid-level to principal and chief estimator, with specializations in MEP systems, heavy civil, and EPC project delivery. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
M Lee Corporation seeks a senior cost estimator.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare construction cost estimates at various design stages
- Review and reconcile contractor and third-party estimates
- Estimate costs for value engineering and design alternatives
- Ensure quality control of cost estimate deliverables
- Review construction change order cost estimates
- Mentor junior staff
- Analyze bid results
- Participate in estimating meetings
- Manage cost-related tasks
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years in construction cost estimating
- Knowledge of civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection systems
- Familiarity with San Francisco Bay Area construction market
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Ability to work collaboratively or independently
- Degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying, or related field; or equivalent experience
- Expertise in Microsoft Excel and intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Proficiency in electronic takeoff software
PREFERRED PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
Experience in estimating sectors like:
- Aviation
- Community/Civic
- Water/Wastewater
- Parks and Recreation
- Ports/Marine
- Transit/Transportation
COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience.
About us:
M Lee Corporation offers construction cost management, schedule management, change order management, estimating, value engineering, project control, office and field engineering, construction oversight, and consulting services to public and private clients. Since 1992, we have supported over 1600 projects, totaling over $75 billion in value, including key Bay Area projects.
JOB TYPES: Full-time, Part-time
PAY: From $50.00 per hour
BENEFITS:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
WORK LOCATION: Remote
INTRODUCTION
M Lee Corporation seeks a senior cost estimator.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare construction cost estimates at various design stages
- Review and reconcile contractor and third-party estimates
- Estimate costs for value engineering and design alternatives
- Ensure quality control of cost estimate deliverables
- Review construction change order cost estimates
- Mentor junior staff
- Analyze bid results
- Participate in estimating meetings
- Manage cost-related tasks
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years in construction cost estimating
- Knowledge of civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection systems
- Familiarity with San Francisco Bay Area construction market
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Ability to work collaboratively or independently
- Degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying, or related field; or equivalent experience
- Expertise in Microsoft Excel and intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Proficiency in electronic takeoff software
PREFERRED PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
Experience in estimating sectors like:
- Aviation
- Community/Civic
- Water/Wastewater
- Parks and Recreation
- Ports/Marine
- Transit/Transportation
COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience.
About us:
M Lee Corporation offers construction cost management, schedule management, change order management, estimating, value engineering, project control, office and field engineering, construction oversight, and consulting services to public and private clients. Since 1992, we have supported over 1600 projects, totaling over $75 billion in value, including key Bay Area projects.
JOB TYPES: Full-time, Part-time
PAY: From $50.00 per hour
BENEFITS:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
WORK LOCATION: Remote
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Find Senior Cost Estimator JobsSenior Cost Estimator Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Turner & Townsend Pty Limited6
- Turner & Townsend5
- Connico2
- H W Lochner2
- Amazon1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services15
- Construction & Real Estate7
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior cost estimator jobs.
- 5 or more years of professional cost estimating experience in a relevant industry
- Proficiency in industry estimating software such as HCSS, Sage Estimating, or Timberline
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications
- Experience estimating projects across multiple delivery methods including lump sum and GMP
- Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or equivalent industry certification preferred
Tips for Your Senior Cost Estimator Job Search
Quantify your bid-win history clearly
Hiring managers want to see the dollar value of projects you've estimated and your bid accuracy rate. Replace vague phrases like 'prepared cost estimates' with concrete project types, delivery methods, and the scale of bids you've led or contributed to.
Highlight software proficiency up front
Employers sort candidates fast by tool fluency. List your experience with estimating platforms like HCSS, Sage Estimating, On-Screen Takeoff, or Bluebeam near the top of your resume, not buried in a skills section at the bottom.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior cost estimator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target job postings by delivery method
Design-build, design-bid-build, and CM-at-risk roles require different estimating workflows. Search using delivery method terms alongside your title to surface openings where your specific process experience is a direct fit rather than a partial match.
Prepare a takeoff walkthrough for interviews
Many senior estimator interviews include a practical exercise where you estimate a scope from drawings or a spec sheet. Bring a printed or digital example of a past takeoff you led so you can walk through your methodology, assumptions, and cost drivers confidently.
Negotiate using total project value, not just salary
When discussing compensation, anchor your value to the aggregate dollar volume of projects you've estimated annually. Framing your contribution at that scale gives you a concrete basis for negotiating a senior-level package, including project bonuses or estimating incentives.
Senior Cost Estimator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior cost estimators?
The companies hiring the most senior cost estimators right now include Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, Turner & Townsend, and Connico, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. General contractors, ENR-ranked engineering firms, and federal defense contractors consistently represent the largest share of active postings for this role.
How many senior cost estimator jobs are remote?
About 45% of senior cost estimator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with remote availability concentrated in preconstruction consulting, software-based quantity surveying, and owner-side estimating roles rather than field-adjacent positions at general contractors or specialty subcontractors, which typically require on-site presence for site visits and subcontractor coordination.
How do you become a senior cost estimator?
Start by earning a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field, then spend several years in a junior or mid-level estimating role building takeoff skills across a specific trade or sector. Progress by leading full bid packages independently, earning a certification such as the CPE through ASPE, and developing fluency in the estimating software your target market uses. Consistent exposure to preconstruction, subcontractor negotiations, and bid-day coordination accelerates the path to a senior title.
Can I get hired as a senior cost estimator without direct estimating experience?
Transitioning into a senior estimating role without a formal estimating background is possible if you have deep field experience as a project engineer, superintendent, or project manager, since hands-on knowledge of construction means, methods, and cost drivers is what employers are actually after. Pairing that experience with a completed takeoff sample, proficiency in a recognized estimating platform, and a CPE certification in progress can make a compelling case even when your job titles haven't included the word estimator.
What does the senior cost estimator interview process look like?
Most senior cost estimator interviews begin with a phone screen focused on your industry sector, project types, and estimating software experience, followed by a technical interview where you walk through a past bid in detail, explaining your assumptions, scope gaps, and how you handled subcontractor coverage. Many employers include a practical exercise requiring you to estimate a short scope from drawings or specifications. Final rounds often involve meeting the preconstruction director or a VP of operations who evaluates your communication style and ability to present numbers to clients or executives.
Where can I find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs?
You can find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your sector, project type, or location and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All Senior Cost Estimator Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any senior cost estimator role that fits.
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