Estimating & Benchmarking Lead

KBR Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking an Estimating & Benchmarking Lead to supervise the estimating group, develop and validate capital estimates, and provide benchmark analyses across the project lifecycle in Richmond, VA.

The role serves as the estimating SME, supports budgets and contingencies, and coordinates with project controls, engineering, procurement, and construction to drive cost assurance and informed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Business, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of estimating, cost engineering, or project controls experience on major capital projects.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and validating capital cost estimates across multiple project phases.
• Strong knowledge of estimating methodologies, benchmarking, contingency development, estimate assurance, and cost analysis.
• Experience on large industrial, pharmaceutical, life sciences, energy, or infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, review, validation, reconciliation, and benchmarking of project capital cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Serve as the project's estimating subject matter expert and provide independent estimate assurance, cost validation, and benchmarking analyses.
• Support development of project budgets, contingencies, and funding requirements during early project phases.
• Monitor estimate performance against approved budgets and identify trends, risks, variances, and cost growth drivers.
• Oversee development of check estimates, estimate updates, and independent assessments as the project progresses.
• Coordinate estimating activities with project controls, engineering, procurement, construction, and contractor organizations.
• Provide estimating insights and recommendations to client and PMC leadership to support project decision-making.

Skills

Estimating

Cost engineering

Project controls

Benchmarking

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction/Quantitative field

Tools

Aspen Capital Cost Estimator

Cost estimating software

Job description

Title: Estimating & Benchmarking Lead KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is looking for a Estimating & Benchmarking Lead oversees the estimating group in the development, review, validation, and reconciliations of all capital estimates for the project. This role acts as the estimating SME for the project. The individual also provides benchmark analyses, cost validation studies, and other estimating-related assessments for the project. This role helps develop the project budgets at early stages of development and tracks the progress of the project with respect to the established budget. At later stages of development, the role oversees the development of check estimates, as necessary.

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development, review, validation, reconciliation, and benchmarking of project capital cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Serve as the project's estimating subject matter expert and provide independent estimate assurance, cost validation, and benchmarking analyses.
• Support development of project budgets, contingencies, and funding requirements during early project phases.
• Monitor estimate performance against approved budgets and identify trends, risks, variances, and cost growth drivers.
• Oversee development of check estimates, estimate updates, and independent assessments as the project progresses.
• Coordinate estimating activities with project controls, engineering, procurement, construction, and contractor organizations.
• Provide estimating insights and recommendations to client and PMC leadership to support project decision-making.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 15 years of estimating, cost engineering, or project controls experience supporting major capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, and validating capital cost estimates across multiple project phases.
• Strong knowledge of estimating methodologies, benchmarking, contingency development, estimate assurance, and cost analysis.
• Experience supporting large industrial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, life sciences, energy, or infrastructure projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or other regulated manufacturing projects.
• Experience in an Owner's Representative, PMC, EPCM, or Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) environment.
• Experience supporting large projects with multiple phases exceeding $500 million TIC.
• Proficiency with Aspen Capital Cost Estimator or similar cost estimating software.
• Professional certifications such as CCP®, CEP®, EVP®, PSP®, PMP®, or equivalent credentials.
• Familiarity with benchmarking databases, estimating software, and capital project governance processes.

Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.

We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

Equal Opportunity

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Values

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values:

• We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.
• We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.
• We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business.
• We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision-makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.
• We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.
• We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Fraud Alert

Fraud Alert Fraud has infiltrated the job placement market via the internet, email and direct phone contact. Attempts have included unauthorized use of KBR’s name and logo to solicit potential job seekers or to extend false job offers. Bad actors may mix in fake job advertisements with legitimate postings. These ads can include contact instructions and require job seekers to send sensitive personal information or money to pay for visa applications, processing fees, etc., in exchange for consideration for a high-paying position. KBR will never ask for any sort of advance payment as part of the recruiting/hiring process. Candidate profiles are carefully managed to protect personal information.