Chief Estimator - Michels Federal, Inc.

The Michels Federal, Inc. team plays a critical role in combining Michels’ solutions for the pursuit, development and delivery of large, complex energy and infrastructure projects. The Michels Federal team consists of dedicated people who work with one another and with customers to develop creative solutions for turning construction ideas into safe, reliable federal improvements.

Like our field construction teams, Michel Federal takes into consideration safety, social and environmental responsibility, and health and wellbeing of our people and the communities in which we work. We strive to make a difference in positive, respectful, and responsible ways. Our work improves lives.

Find out how a career as an Estimating Manager can change yours. Michels Federal Inc. is seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to lead and manage all aspects of estimating for federal heavy civil projects, with a primary focus on USACE and NAVFAC work.

This role is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and compliant cost proposals for complex infrastructure, energy, and civil construction projects in the federal market. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership skills, extensive federal estimating experience, and a thorough understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and federal procurement processes.

Key Responsibilities

include: Lead and manage the estimating function for federal GC/CM, negotiated, and design-bid-build projects. Prepare and oversee conceptual, ROM, GMP, and final bid estimates for large-scale heavy civil, infrastructure, and energy-related projects.

Requirements

, ensuring full compliance with FAR, agency-specific

, and wage determinations. Coordinate and oversee quantity takeoffs, providing mentorship and technical guidance to estimators and takeoff engineers. Establish and validate labor productivity, crew compositions, equipment utilization, indirect costs, and general conditions.

Lead the solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation of subcontractor and supplier pricing, including documentation of all required federal good faith efforts. Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and agency discussions as required. Collaborate with operations, project management, and scheduling teams to confirm means and methods, construction sequencing, and risk assumptions.

Contribute to the development of preliminary and milestone schedules to support estimating durations and phasing. Assemble and review complete bid and proposal pricing packages, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and audit readiness. Present estimates and pricing strategies to senior leadership for review and approval prior to submission.

Support post-award activities, including estimate handoff, budget setup, and cost code alignment. Why Michels Fedreal, Inc.?

Benefits

package, including health, dental and vision, competitive paid time off plans and much more! We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to promote safety, regardless of job titles.

program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your position and location you may participate in a different benefit plan. Why you?