Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Lead

Trueline, 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
We Offer:
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 is an 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.