Lead Estimator - Industrial

Kiewit; Lenexa, Northern (KS, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

Retirement plans with matching

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering in Lenexa, KS, seeks a Lead Estimator to join our Lenexa/Lone Tree team. You will lead the development of detailed estimates for large industrial EPC projects, partnering with engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up teams to translate client scopes into competitive EPC cost solutions.

The role requires analyzing contract documents, applying historical data, and mentoring others while driving continuous improvement in estimating methods across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating advanced estimating expertise.
• 5+ years of experience estimating industrial EPC or construction projects (large-project experience preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead estimate efforts on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, procurement, and construction teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complete, detailed estimates for large and complex industrial EPC projects with varying degrees of project definition as defined by AACE (Class 5 though Class 2).
• Analyze RFP documents and contract requirements to define scope clearly and eliminate gaps or overlaps.
• Review multidisciplinary engineering deliverables to understand construction requirements and execution strategy.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure technical alignment and completeness of estimate scope.
• Apply industry-standard estimating metrics, production rates, and historical data to validate pricing assumptions and explain variances.
• Develop cost analyses and present optimized solutions to internal teams.
• Identify cost-effective, technically compliant alternatives that enhance constructability and competitiveness.
• Interpret codes and specifications to support sound engineering and estimating decisions.
• Partner with procurement, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure accurate quantities and competitive pricing.
• Generate indirect related costs estimates inclusive of commercial costs, staffing costs, site facilities and site services.
• Lead internal estimate review meetings and executive presentations.
• Support proposal development and bid form generation.
• Understand project execution strategies, sequencing, geographic considerations, and best practices to ensure practical and buildable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating methods, tools, and processes to improve speed, consistency, and accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Team-building

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

Excel

Job description

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Lenexa, KS, US Lone Tree, CO, US Denver, CO, US Kansas City, KS, US

Requisition ID:179914

Job Level:Senior Level

Home District/Group:Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering (KIWE) is seeking aLead Estimator to join our Lenexa, Kansas office. This role is responsible for leading the development of comprehensive, competitive, and technically sound estimates for complex industrial projects.

The Lead Estimator partners closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up teams to translate client scopes and RFP requirements into fully integrated EPC cost solutions. This position plays a critical leadership role in analyzing contract documents, interpreting specifications and drawings, applying historical production data, and identifying cost-effective, constructible solutions that position Kiewit to win work.

In addition to delivering high-quality estimates, the Lead Estimator supports the growth and continuous improvement of the estimating function through mentorship, process innovation, and collaboration across disciplines.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc. is a full-service engineering consulting and design firm serving a broad range of industrial markets. With more than 1,300 engineers and design professionals across all major engineering disciplines, we support the industrial, transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets.

Our operations-focused engineering approach integrates over 130 years of construction expertise to deliver safe, efficient facilities — finishing projects on schedule and ensuring that Nobody Gets Hurt.

The Industrial & Water Engineering team includes process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, geotechnical, and civil disciplines. We specialize in EPC and design-build delivery for industrial projects in markets including:

• Food & Beverage
• Mineral Processing
• Renewable Fuels
• Pulp & Paper

Location

This position can be based in Lenexa, Kansas or in Lone Tree, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complete, detailed estimates for large and complex industrial EPC projects with varying degrees of project definition as defined by AACE (Class 5 though Class 2).
• Analyze RFP documents and contract requirements to define scope clearly and eliminate gaps or overlaps.
• Review multidisciplinary engineering deliverables to understand construction requirements and execution strategy.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure technical alignment and completeness of estimate scope.
• Apply industry-standard estimating metrics, production rates, and historical data to validate pricing assumptions and explain variances.
• Develop cost analyses and present optimized solutions to internal teams.
• Identify cost-effective, technically compliant alternatives that enhance constructability and competitiveness.
• Interpret codes and specifications to support sound engineering and estimating decisions.
• Partner with procurement, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure accurate quantities and competitive pricing.
• Generate indirect related costs estimates inclusive of commercial costs, staffing costs, site facilities and site services.
• Lead internal estimate review meetings and executive presentations.
• Support proposal development and bid form generation.
• Understand project execution strategies, sequencing, geographic considerations, and best practices to ensure practical and buildable solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating methods, tools, and processes to improve speed, consistency, and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating advanced estimating expertise.
• 5+ years of experience estimating industrial EPC or construction projects (large-project experience preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead estimate efforts on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, procurement, and construction teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. #LI-FH1

Other Requirements

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• FIELD ROLES ONLY May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

Base Compensation:$100,000/yr-$115,000/yr

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

This posting will be active from:08/06/2026 -10/01/2026

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry.From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.