Retirement Plans Senior Specialist

KBR, Inc.; Washington; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Performance bonuses

Relocation assistance

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a Retirement Plans Senior Specialist to support administration of US retirement programs, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans, with emphasis on accuracy, compliance, and employee experience.

You will collaborate with HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure timely processing, data integrity, and regulatory filings. The role requires substantial expertise in ERISA and related rules and a proactive approach to process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required.
• 5+ years of retirement plans, benefits, or Total Rewards experience.
• Experience supporting retirement programs in a complex or multinational organization preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer US retirement programs including defined contribution and defined benefit plans with compliance.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure high-quality plan operations and service delivery.
• Oversee enrollments, contributions, distributions, and plan changes; respond to employee inquiries.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

Workday

SAP

Job description

Title:

Retirement Plans Senior Specialist

We are KBR

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 Senior Specialist, Retirement Plans supports the administration and delivery of retirement plans, primarily within the U.S., while aligned with broader global benefits frameworks. This role ensures retirement plans are administered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable regulations while contributing to a positive employee experience.

You will partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, and other stakeholders to support retirement plans, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans where applicable. You will play a key role in day-to-day operations, issue resolution, and compliance activities, while contributing to process improvements and ongoing program support.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer U.S. retirement programs, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable regulations, while coordinating with global benefits practices where appropriate.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, recordkeepers, and administrators to support plan operations, resolve issues, and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Oversee day-to-day plan activities, including enrollments, contributions, distributions, and plan changes.
• Resolve employee inquiries and issues related to retirement plans, including eligibility, transactions, and vendor coordination.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, and HRIS to ensure accurate data flow, contributions processing, and reconciliation of retirement plan activity.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA and applicable regulations by overseeing regulatory filings (e.g., Form 5500), maintaining documentation, and ensuring audit readiness.
• Lead and coordinate annual compliance activities, including plan audits, compliance testing, and contribution reviews, ensuring timely and accurate completion.
• Assist with retirement plan communications, including employee education materials and support for awareness campaigns.
• Analyze data and reporting to identify discrepancies, trends, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Support system updates, data integrity, and integration efforts across HRIS and vendor platforms.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Basic Qualifications

Education & Experience:

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

Functional Expertise:

• Working knowledge of retirement plans, including defined contribution (e.g., 401(k)) and defined benefit plans.
• Understanding of applicable regulations (e.g., ERISA, IRS, and related compliance requirements), with exposure to global retirement programs preferred.
• Experience working with retirement plan vendors, recordkeepers, or third-party administrators.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage data accurately and handle sensitive information.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Effective communication and stakeholder collaboration skills in a matrixed environment.
• Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration systems (e.g., Workday, SAP) preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel and general reporting tools to support data analysis and reconciliation activities.

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.