Lead Manager, Estimating

Title:

At KBR, 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 85 countries and operations in over 28 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.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions. 

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact. 

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment. 

Belong, Connect, Grow, with 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 of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

Program Summary

KBR's Exploration & Logistics division delivers full life cycle professional and technical solutions that improve operational readiness and drive innovation. Our solutions help ensure mission success on land, air, sea, space and cyberspace for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, NASA, and other federal agencies. KBR’s areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a highly skilled Subject Matter Expert (SME) in government facilities and construction estimating to support program planning, cost analysis, and technical evaluations. The Lead Manager, Estimating will leverage published estimating documentation, historical knowledge, and a bottoms-up estimating approach to develop accurate time-to-task Basis of Estimates (BOE). This role requires strong technical expertise in facilities operations and maintenance, construction, electrical, utilities, as well as proven experience in bottoms-up estimating and advanced analytic skills to interpret complex data, identify trends, and optimize resource planning.

This position will work remotely with travel up to 25%.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Bottoms-up estimating: Develop detailed time-to-task labor estimates and full-time equivalency models using published estimating documentation and historical data.
• Leader-to-lead approach: Implement structured estimating methodologies and ensure consistency across project leads and craftsmen.
• Justification of resources: Provide clear rationale for all labor hours, materials, and equipment required to meet RFP requirements.
• Material and resource planning: Develop comprehensive lists of required materials, tools, and equipment to support accurate project execution.
• Statement of Work (SOW) development: Draft clear, comprehensive SOWs for subcontractors to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Technical evaluations: Conduct thorough reviews of subcontractor proposals, assessing technical merit, compliance, and cost realism.
• Facilities and construction expertise: Apply knowledge of government facilities operations and maintenance, construction, electrical, and utilities to develop estimates which comply with RFP requirements, KBR estimating processes, and estimating best practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Business Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience in government facilities or construction estimating may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: typically 15+ years of relevant experience, including 10+ years of experience with government facilities or construction estimating.
• Knowledge Base: Extensive expertise in interpreting published estimating standards, leveraging historical cost data, and understanding operational requirements within government facilities.
• Skills:
  • Resource estimating (labor and materials) and analysis.
  • Technical writing (SOWs, evaluation reports, justifications).
  • Proposal evaluation and compliance review.
  • Facilities maintenance and construction operations.
  • Proven track record as an estimating manager, with experience right-sizing workforce and materials to meet SOW/RFP requirements.
  • Ability to incorporate advanced analytic techniques to identify and validate assumptions and cost drivers, and to ensure the accuracy of estimates.
  • Apply sensitivity analysis to assess risk factors and scenario variations, and document rationale for all estimates to support auditability and compliance.
• Must hold a valid US passport.
• Must currently possess or be able to obtain up to a Top Secret US Government Security Clearance.
• Must have proficiency with the Microsoft Office software suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to clearly explain estimating approaches to proposal writers, technical teams, and management.
• Experience developing estimates for CONUS and OCONUS government facilities.
• Experience with Sage Timberline, Sage eTakeoff, Bluebeam Revu, as well as artificial intelligence/large language models (LLMs).

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The compensation range that we expect to pay for this position is between $155-185k. Ultimate compensation will depend on candidate location and experience.

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 of 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.