Federal Estimator
About Willmeng
Arizona-based Willmeng Construction is a 100-percent employee-owned general contractor that has been dedicated to helping our people build their “Genuine Place of Purpose” since 1977. We prioritize our exceptional company culture, which has us ranked in the Top 5 of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for more than a decade and made us the only Arizona construction firm on the Inc. Best Workplaces list for three consecutive years. We have earned multiple appearances on AZ Big Media’s Most Admired Companies list, and ranked No. 1 for Healthiest Employers for two consecutive years.
Our people and our culture have also created an atmosphere that encourages going above and beyond for our clients and our community. Our team’s dedication to its craft has earned us NAIOP (CREDA) Arizona General Contractor of the Year six times, while at the same time donating more than $1 million annually to community organizations.
Our strategic vision focuses on supporting prelease transactions, competitively bidding projects of all sizes, and fostering our altruistic service culture by recruiting highly talented individuals of great character who want to make a genuine impact on our communities.
The Role
The Federal Estimator will be responsible for developing accurate and competitive cost estimates for federal building projects, including courthouses, military facilities, government office buildings, and secure facilities. This role requires deep knowledge of federal procurement processes, cost breakdown structures, labor rates, and compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The ideal candidate will have experience with Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and CM-at-Risk delivery methods within the federal sector. This role may require occasional travel for site visits, pre-bid meetings, or proposal presentations
What you will accomplish
- Lead Estimating Efforts – Develop detailed and conceptual cost estimates for federal construction projects from early planning through final bid, including thorough review of plans, specifications, and documentation to ensure accurate scope and pricing.
- Ensure Federal Compliance – Apply Uniformat/MasterFormat cost coding, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, and Buy American requirements; collaborate with contracting officers to interpret and fulfill RFP, RFQ, and IFB requirements.
- Manage Subcontractor & Vendor Coordination – Solicit, review, and analyze subcontractor and vendor quotes to ensure complete scope coverage and compliance with bonding, qualifications, and federal small business participation requirements.
- Conduct Risk & Cost Analysis – Identify construction risks, assess schedule impacts and alternative methods, and recommend value engineering solutions that align with quality, cost, and compliance standards.
- Collaborate on Preconstruction Planning – Work cross-functionally with project managers, design teams, and schedulers to validate estimates, align planning with budget goals, and participate in site visits and pre-bid meetings.
- Document & Report Estimates – Maintain accurate historical cost records and estimation files; produce reports and presentations for internal leadership and federal clients to support project decisions.
- Leverage Technical Proficiency – Proficient with estimating software (RSMeans, Sage Estimating, WinEst, ProEst, MC2), scheduling tools (Primavera P6, MS Project), and platforms like Procore and Bluebeam; skilled in quantity takeoffs, cost databases, and market pricing.
- Demonstrate Experience & Qualifications – 8+ years of estimating experience, including 5+ years on federal building projects; experienced with federal delivery methods and large-scale vertical construction ($5M–$100M+).
- Exhibit Professionalism & Core Competencies – Strong knowledge of UFC, ADA, ABA, and IBC codes; detail-oriented, analytical, and organized; effective mentor to junior estimators; maintains integrity and professionalism in all federal and team interactions.
What we would like you to have
- 5+ years Construction Estimating or Preconstruction experience ideally in the Federal space
- Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field is preferred
- Ability to work in office
You’re inspired by our values
- Altruistic - Our foundation is built upon the authentic, selfless concern we share for the success and wellbeing of others.
- Fair 360 - We illuminate with kindness by seeking to understand before being understood and by caring more than may seem reasonable so we can achieve genuine success for all.
- Strategic - The blueprint that guides the creation of a genuine place of purpose expresses the clarity of our vision, the rigor of our thought and the character of our word.
- Sincere - We present no facades, only genuine elevations of truth, trust, and wholehearted loyalty to the employees we mentor, the clients we serve and the communities we call home.
- Nimble - Our structural integrity is ensured through the balance of resourcefulness, responsiveness, and adaptability and strengthened by being well-rounded in the market to serve at the highest levels.
Compensation
Alongside cash, our total compensation package includes comprehensive benefits and 100% employee ownership. From wellness to work life, our benefits support our employees' total wellbeing.
Benefits
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Discretionary annual bonus
- 401k with employer match
- Employee medical, dental, and vision insurance 100% covered, with options to add dependents at 50% coverage by Willmeng
- Flexible Time Off Policy
- 9 paid company holidays
- 3 consecutive weeks of parental bonding leave, with an additional 3-5 weeks of disability leave for delivery recovery
- Spacious break rooms with healthy meals & snacks provided at no additional cost
- Team-building activities, including volunteer opportunities
Willmeng places nothing more important to the organizational health of the company than its overall focus on culture. By bringing different personalities together and embracing their individual contributions, the culture is rich, strong and uniquely different. With a true family feel and the opportunity to participate in building a genuine place of purpose for clients and employees, Willmeng has the distinct advantage of something exceptional and special in the culture.