Process Mechanical Estimating Manager - Water & Wastewater Construction in Newport Beach, California at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Process Mechanical Estimating Manager- Water & Wastewater Construction leads the development of accurate, competitive cost models for water and wastewater projects, with a focus on process mechanical piping and related self-perform scopes. This role oversees estimate strategy, scope alignment, quantity development, labor and production assumptions, pricing coordination, internal reviews, and milestone deliverables through GMP.

This position works closely with design phase leadership, operations, procurement, other discipline estimators, and trade partners to align scope, risk, means and methods, and execution strategy throughout the estimating process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead process mechanical estimating efforts for milestone estimates, budget updates, GMP deliverables, and buyout planning.
• Review contract documents, drawings, specifications, and P&IDs to define complete process mechanical scope and estimate approach.
• Direct quantity takeoff, estimate setup, labor development, production rate application, and estimate detail for process mechanical systems.
• Oversee development of estimating structure, system zones, specifications, job items, assemblies, summaries, and backup documentation.
• Coordinate pricing strategy and outreach to vendors, fabricators, subcontractors, and internal partners.
• Lead alignment with operations on means and methods, labor assumptions, productivity, logistics, sequencing, constructability, and risk.
• Coordinate with civil, equipment, E&IC, and other discipline estimators to prevent scope gaps, duplication, and misalignment.
• Schedule and lead process mechanical kickoff meetings, recurring check-ins, internal review meetings, and preparation for management self-perform reviews.
• Support or lead development of A3 documents, qualifications, clarifications, assumptions, trend logs, and scope narratives.
• Manage trending inputs, milestone comparisons, estimate reconciliation, and incorporation of review feedback.
• Maintain organized estimate files, historical references, and deliverable backup to support reviews, handoff, and future pursuits.
• Support project transition to operations, including estimate handoff, scope alignment, and reconciliation through late design and early construction.
• Mentor estimators and assistant estimating managers, promote consistency in tools and templates, and support development of team capability.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related degrees required and minimum of 7 years' equivalent experience required.
• Strong understanding of process mechanical systems used in water and wastewater facilities.
• Advanced ability to interpret drawings, specifications, flow diagrams, and P&IDs.
• Strong knowledge of scope development, material pricing, labor buildup, production assumptions, and constructability.
• Ability to lead estimate planning, reviews, coordination meetings, and milestone deliverables.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with operations, design phase leadership, vendors, and internal partners.
• Ability to identify scope gaps, execution risk, and estimate exposures early in design.
• Strong organization, judgment, and follow-through in a deadline-driven estimating environment.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet-based estimate support, trend tracking, and reporting.
• Experience leading process mechanical estimates for water or wastewater projects.
• Familiarity with self-perform construction, procurement workflows, and shop or fabrication coordination preferred.
• Experience using Quote Express, WinEst, BuildingConnected, Join, or similar tools preferred.
• Understanding of GMP, CMAR, design-build, or progressive delivery environments preferred.
• Experience mentoring or leading other estimators preferred.

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

For California locations only, the salary range for this position is: $119,000-$127,000. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors.