Principal Benefits Specialist

KBR Careers; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

401K plan with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision

Job summary

KBR seeks a Principal Benefits Specialist to lead the design, implementation, and administration of comprehensive benefits across a multinational environment. You will partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, and regional teams to ensure compliant, scalable programs that enhance employee experience.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with HRIS platforms (Workday/SAP), and a track record in vendor management and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• 7+ years of experience in benefits, Total Rewards, or a related function.
• Experience supporting benefits programs in a multinational or complex organizational environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and administer benefits programs across a complex, multi‑national environment.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, and regional stakeholders to ensure compliant program delivery.
• Lead end‑to‑end vendor implementations, including RFPs, configuration, and post‑implementation validation.
• Support annual enrollment processes, planning, testing, audits, and communications to employees.
• Analyze benefits data and costs to identify insights and cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Vendor management

Data analysis

HRIS navigation

Excel

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Tools

Workday

SAP

Job description

Principal Benefits Specialist

When you become part of our KBR team, your opportunities are endless. Through internal collaboration, and with our partners and customers, we’re defining tomorrow’s challenges, then providing the innovative solutions to overcome those challenges, always maintaining our commitment to Zero Harm and our Sustainability Platform.

In September 2025, we announced that we are spinning our Mission Technology Solutions business into a separate public company. This role would ultimately be part of that new company. Our Mission Technology Solutions business partners with governments and defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and critical infrastructure customers to deliver high‑end engineering, science, technology, and mission support solutions. From national security and readiness to advanced research, cyber, logistics, and life‑cycle sustainment, our teams help customers solve complex challenges in some of the world’s most demanding environments. Whether supporting operations on the ground, at sea, in the air, or in space, our clients trust us to deliver mission‑critical capabilities every day.

Working with us 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.

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.

We Are the People Team

We are strategic partners to the business, shaping the talent, culture, and capabilities that enable sustainable growth and high performance. We operate across global markets, partnering with leaders and teams to design practical, scalable solutions that enhance how work gets done and how people thrive. Through strong business insight, data‑driven decision making, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we build talent programs that drive impact at every stage of the organization’s evolution.

About The Role

Reporting to the US Benefits Manager, the Principal Benefits Specialist will play a key role in the design, implementation, and administration of benefits programs across a complex, multi‑national environment. This role supports the design and delivery of scalable, competitive, and compliant programs that enhance employee experience and align with broader Total Rewards and business priorities.

As a subject matter expert, you will partner closely with HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, and regional stakeholders to support benefits programs, including health & welfare, retirement, and well‑being. You will contribute to both strategic initiatives and operational execution, ensuring effective, consistent, and compliant program delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of benefits programs, including health & welfare, retirement, leave, and well‑being initiatives across multiple regions.
• Administer day‑to‑day benefits operations, including enrollments, renewals, and lifecycle activities, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and a strong employee experience.
• Manage and coordinate with benefits vendors (e.g., health, retirement, leave, and well‑being providers), ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and delivery of high‑quality services.
• Support and contribute to end‑to‑end implementation of new vendors and programs, including participation in RFP processes, project management, change management, and post‑implementation audits.
• Partner cross‑functionally with HR, Payroll, HRIS, Finance, Legal, and regional stakeholders to support program delivery, resolve issues, and ensure alignment across functions.
• Resolve complex and escalated employee issues related to eligibility, claims, and vendor administration in partnership with internal teams and external providers.
• Support annual enrollment processes, including planning, system testing, audits, and employee communications.
• Collaborate with internal and external communications teams to develop clear, accurate, and engaging benefits communications for a diverse workforce.
• Analyze benefits data, trends, and costs in partnership with external consultants and internal stakeholders to identify insights, cost‑saving opportunities, and program enhancements.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership to support decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Support compliance with regulatory requirements, including preparation and coordination of required filings, documentation, and audits (e.g., U.S. ERISA‑related filings).
• Assist with billing, financial tracking, reporting, and reconciliation activities to ensure accuracy and fiscal discipline.
• Identify and drive process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, data integrity, and service delivery across multiple benefits programs.
• Support HRIS and benefits system updates, integrations, and data management, ensuring accuracy and understanding downstream impacts of changes.

Basic Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• 7+ years of experience in benefits, Total Rewards, or a related function.
• Experience supporting benefits programs in a multinational or complex organizational environment preferred.

Functional Expertise

• Strong knowledge of health & welfare and/or retirement benefit programs, with exposure to complex benefits environments preferred.
• Understanding of benefits laws and regulatory requirements (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and international equivalents as applicable).
• Experience working with third‑party vendors, including participation in implementations, transitions, and ongoing performance management.
• Experience supporting or leading vendor implementations, including involvement in RFPs, system configuration, and post‑implementation validation.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational and project management capabilities in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and vendors.
• Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP), with strong data management and system navigation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, data analysis) and experience preparing reports and presentations.

Location

The ideal candidate will be located in the Houston, TX or greater Washington D.C.-Baltimore area. While KBR strives to maintain a global, flexible, diverse, and sustainable work environment for our people, we currently offer flexible working arrangements, including hybrid, remote working, and virtual delivery to help reinforce and strengthen our strong commitment to becoming a more socially sustainable company, allowing us to provide greater work‑life balance and flexibility.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 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.

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.

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