Estimator / Senior Estimator – K-12… at CORE Builders · San Jose

Estimator / Senior Estimator – K-12 Public Education & Hard Bid

Location: San Jose, California

About CORE Builders:

CORE Builders is a premier general contractor known for delivering high-quality construction projects on time with a commitment to excellence, safety, client satisfaction, and our Vision of Success. We specialize in a variety of construction projects, from rehabilitation projects, affordable housing, and large-scale developments, and are actively trying to pursue and establish ourselves within the education market. We pride ourselves on our innovative approach and collaborative culture.

Position Summary:

CORE Builders is seeking an Estimator or Senior Estimator to join our Preconstruction team with a primary focus on competitive hard-bid pursuits in the K-12 public education market. This position will be responsible for developing complete, accurate, and competitive estimates from plans and specifications through final bid submission.

The successful candidate will play an important role in helping CORE Builders establish and expand its presence in the public education market. The position will require strong knowledge of competitive bidding, subcontractor outreach, scope analysis, quantity takeoffs, bid leveling, public procurement requirements, and final bid preparation.

Following award, the Estimator/Senior Estimator will support subcontractor buyout, scope clarification, estimate-to-buyout reconciliation, and project handoff as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

K-12 Public Education Hard Bids

• Lead and support competitive hard-bid proposals for K-12 public education projects.
• Attend pre-bid conferences/job walks for upcoming pursuits.
• Review plans, specifications, addenda, bid forms, front-end documents, and other public procurement requirements.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs and complete estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor work, general conditions, general requirements, and other project costs.
• Prepare and issue bid packages and solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors and suppliers.
• Develop subcontractor coverage strategies and proactively pursue pricing to ensure complete coverage across all scopes.
• Analyze, level, and reconcile subcontractor and supplier proposals for scope, exclusions, qualifications, and pricing.
• Identify scope gaps, design conflicts, risk items, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Prepare final bid estimates, bid forms, alternates, allowances, and other required bid documentation.
• Coordinate final bid compilation and submission in accordance with owner requirements and bid deadlines.
• Review bid results and maintain competitive market intelligence for future pursuits.

Public Education Market Development

• Help establish and expand CORE Builders’ presence in the K-12 public education market.
• Develop and maintain relationships with qualified subcontractors and suppliers serving school districts and public works projects.
• Expand CORE Builders’ subcontractor database and market coverage within the education sector.
• Track public education bid opportunities and support pursuit decisions by evaluating scope, schedule, competition, and estimating requirements.
• Build cost history and benchmarking information specific to K-12 construction to improve future bids.

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Use ProEst, Bluebeam, Excel, and other estimating tools to prepare and maintain detailed estimates.
• Communicate estimate assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, risks, and scope gaps clearly.
• Collaborate with Operations and Preconstruction teams on constructability, schedule, logistics, and cost considerations.
• Participate in value engineering and identify cost-effective alternatives while maintaining project requirements.
• Maintain organized estimate files and support consistent estimating procedures and standards.

Award, Buyout & Handoff

• Support the Operations team with subcontractor and vendor buyout following project award.
• Reconcile the final estimate against subcontractor commitments and identify variances.
• Assist with scope clarification and contract negotiations.
• Participate in project turnover and handoff meetings and communicate estimate assumptions and risks.

Culture & Development

• Contribute to positive workplace embodying CORE Builders Vision of Success.
• Build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally.
• In a senior role, provide mentorship and professional development to junior estimators.
• Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes, and apply this knowledge to enhance company operations.
• Actively participate in Professional Organizations and/or industry events and conferences related to role.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• One (1) to four (4) years of estimating experience for an Estimator role; five (5)+ years of estimating experience for a Senior Estimator role.
• Strong experience with quantity takeoffs, subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, cost estimating, and competitive hard-bid preparation.
• Experience with K-12/public education construction and/or public works is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of public bidding, bid documents, addenda, procurement requirements, and competitive bid processes.
• Working knowledge of construction means, methods, materials, and sequencing.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam, MS Excel, OnScreen/takeoff software, Buiding Connected, and other estimating software; experience with other construction management and prequalification platforms is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent bids and strict bid deadlines.
• Experience with commercial, multifamily, education, or other public works projects is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• This role requires you to be in the office.
• Travel to various job sites, pre-bid walks, project meetings, and project locations, as requested.

This is an on-site position, SF Bay Area local candidates only. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa currently.

Anticipated Salary Range:

The anticipated salary range for this full-time role is $115,000 – $200,000 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. CORE Builders reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision (100% paid for employee coverage, 50% paid for dependents)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Plan (discretionary employer match)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays

Equal Opportunity Employer:

CORE Builders is an equal opportunity employer. CORE Builders shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, domestic partner status, pregnancy, disability, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CORE Builders does not engage with or utilize recruiting or placement agencies for any recruiting or hiring needs unless directly requested by our Director of Human Resources. CORE Builders’ employees and hiring managers are not authorized to review or accept resume referrals from any agencies. Any resumes submitted without a direct, specific, and written request will be considered unsolicited and the property of CORE Builders. The submittal will not be subject to any contract obligations, including fees.