Principal Estimator

KBR; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Principal Estimator to lead the preparation of capital cost estimates for major energy, chemicals and energy transition projects. You will manage estimating scope, methodologies and deliverables, developing auditable cost data across onshore and offshore contexts, coordinating with multi‑discipline teams and senior leadership.

You will mentor estimators, benchmark costs, and support risk analyses and independent reviews to drive robust investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Extensive estimating experience in energy, chemicals, offshore and onshore sectors.
• Experience preparing estimates for studies, FEED and EPC projects.
• Proficiency with estimating methodologies and tools including ACCE.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of all classes of capital cost estimates.
• Define estimating scope, methodologies, and deliverables for projects.
• Develop auditable, risk‑adjusted estimates aligned with procedures.
• Establish estimate assumptions: equipment pricing, quantities, escalation, contingencies.
• Develop cost estimates aligned to WBS and CBS.
• Source labour rates and productivity factors for global projects.
• Conduct benchmarking, cost analysis, and estimate validation.
• Maintain estimate documentation for auditability.
• Support independent estimate reviews and peer assessments.
• Contribute to project cost risk assessments and uncertainties.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise estimators on projects.
• Report to Project Managers and Estimating Director.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Project cost estimation

Stakeholder management

ACCE software

Leadership of teams

Offshore/onshore experience

Tools

ACCE software

Job description

Title: Principal Estimator

KBR is a global provider of differentiated, professional services and technologies delivered across a wide government, defense and industrial base. Drawing from its rich 100-year history and culture of innovation and mission focus, KBR creates sustainable value by combining engineering, technical and scientific expertise with its full life cycle capabilities to help our clients meet their most pressing challenges today and into the future.

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

At KBR, We Deliver.

This role sits within STS in the Integrated Solutions business unit. Integrated Solutions is the engineering and project delivery group providing services which include front-end and detailed engineering, procurement, construction services, and program management primarily in the hydrocarbons and energy transition industries.

We are looking for an experienced Principal Estimator to join our team and play a leading role in the delivery of major projects across the energy, chemicals, and energy transition sectors.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled estimator with extensive experience in onshore and offshore projects, capable of developing and leading the preparation of capital cost estimates across the full project lifecycle, from early studies through to EPC execution.

Working closely with project teams, clients, and senior leadership, you will be responsible for delivering robust, auditable, and accurate estimates that support critical business and investment decisions.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the preparation and delivery of all classes of capital cost estimates.
• Define estimating scope, methodologies, work plans, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Develop estimates that are accurate, fully auditable, risk-assessed, and aligned with approved procedures.
• Establish key estimate assumptions including: Equipment and material pricing Material quantities Construction methodologies Professional services requirements Escalation and contingency allowances Estimate exclusions
• Develop comprehensive cost estimates aligned to project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS).
• Source and develop labour rates and productivity factors for global projects.
• Conduct benchmarking, cost analysis, and estimate validation activities.
• Maintain estimate documentation and records to ensure complete auditability.
• Support independent estimate reviews and peer assessments.
• Contribute to project cost risk assessments and uncertainty analyses.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure compliance with estimating procedures.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise assigned estimators on project activities.
• Report to Project Managers on project assignments and to the Estimating Director on departmental matters.

What We're Looking For

• Significant estimating experience within the energy, chemicals, offshore, onshore, and energy transition sectors.
• Proven experience preparing estimates for: Studies Pre-FEED FEED EPC projects
• Strong understanding of industry-standard estimating methodologies and practices.
• Experience presenting estimates and cost strategies to clients, project teams, and senior management.
• Ability to evaluate project risks, uncertainties, and contingencies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and guiding estimating teams.
• Proficiency with estimating software, including ACCE.

Why Join Us?

You'll be joining a team that delivers some of the industry's most challenging and innovative projects. Working across traditional energy and emerging energy transition markets, you'll have the opportunity to influence major investment decisions while helping shape the future of the sector.

KBR Company Information

When you become part of the KBR team, your opportunities are endless. Through collaboration with our customers, we’re defining tomorrow's challenges, then providing the solutions and services to overcome those challenges, always maintaining our commitment to total safety and reliability.

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions throughout their entire lifecycle, from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Working at KBR means being rewarded for your contributions. In addition to competitive benefits and professional development, our people are empowered to use all their potential, creating meaningful change for themselves and our clients. We attract the best minds in the world because our expertise thrives on creativity, resourcefulness and collaboration. That is how we supply our clients with cutting-edge solutions and services.

As the needs of the world change, we’re ready to respond and guide the way forward with strategic, sustainable, and technological advancements grounded in more than a century of practical application and execution.