Lead Estimator

Posting Date: 15 Jul 2026

City: Chicago

Location:

Chicago, IL, US, 60603

Contract Type: Permanent

Division: North America Infrastructure & Mobility

Level of experience: Senior

RINA is currently recruiting for a Lead Estimator to join its office in Chicago, IL within the North America Infrastructure & Mobility Division.

Please note that this position will work from our project office located at 11203 S. Corliss Ave, Chicago, IL 60628. Public transportation is not available.

Compensation Data

$140,000 - $180,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Mission

Join a collaborative, high-performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional results for a strong and growing client base. Here, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals who are committed to supporting your success with the tools, resources, and teamwork you need to thrive.

As a Lead Estimator, you’ll play a key role in developing accurate, high-quality project estimates that drive successful outcomes. In this role, you’ll partner closely with the scheduling team to align cost and timeline planning, while actively contributing to Value Engineering, Risk Analysis, and Constructability Reviews. You’ll also engage early in the design phase, providing insightful recommendations that enhance constructability, optimize costs, and identify the most efficient building methods.

Your expertise will help shape smarter, more strategic project decisions from concept through execution.

Key Accountabilities

Develop construction cost estimates for transportation, transit, heavy civil, and other infrastructure projects; develop cost estimates during all stages of design, from conceptual level to bid documents.
Apply multiple estimating methodologies as applicable, including analogous, parametric, and bottom-up techniques.
Develop crew estimates based on work activity, development of production rates and detailed quantity take-offs
Coordinate with material suppliers for pricing
Coordinate with schedulers to correlate cost and schedule scope elements.
Develop and document basis of estimate documentation, including key assumptions and exclusions
Participate in risk analysis and value engineering studies.
Conduct constructability reviews on plans and specs in various stages of design.
Perform cost estimating activities using software programs, such as HCSS Heavy Bid and others
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or other related field of study
8+ years of relevant estimating experience including field general contracting experience within heavy civil engineering.
Demonstrated experience in building conceptual estimates from minimal plan information,as well as bottoms-up crew-based production estimates
Experience with use of HCSS estimating software or similar preferred.
Ability to interact with architects, engineers, clients, and operations staff to ensure a clear understanding of a project
Excellent oral and technical written communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Additional Requirements

Valid driver’s license
Up to 10% % travel may be required based upon business need

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

#LI-LS1

Competencies

WORKPLACE DYNAMICS - Resourcefulness in shaping progress and working efficiently.
FORESIGHT & INSIGHT - Context awareness adopting a systemic perspective and informed decision making.
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT - Ownership for life, work and results, striving to grow professionally and personally.
INTERPERSONAL INFLUENCE - Skills and strategies we use to interact effectively with others.
DOMAIN & BUSINESS ACUMEN - Applying a scientific approach and critical thinking in operations and solution development within area of expertise.

RINA is a multinational company providing a wide range of services in the energy, marine, certification, infrastructure & mobility, industry, research & development sectors. Our business model covers the full process of project development, from concept to completion.

RINA North America provides a comprehensive benefits package, including the following insurance options: Medical, Dental, Vision, Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Transit, Parking, Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Voluntary Life, Voluntary AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program. Additional benefits provided include paid time off, company holidays, tuition reimbursement, nursery grant, travel resource services, and 401K plan with company discretionary match.

At RINA, we endeavor to create a work environment where every single person is valued and encouraged to develop new ideas. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind. It is the policy of RINA to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy) national origin, age, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, genetics, military status, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans (veterans who served during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a badge has been authorized), and Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We are strongly committed to this policy and believe in the concept and spirit of the law.

RINA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of RINA without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of RINA. Please, no phone calls or emails.