Estimating & Benchmarking Lead

KBR • Newark, DE

5d

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides solutions across the asset life cycle, including licensed process technologies, advisory services, technical expertise, energy transition solutions, design capabilities, and asset optimization. The Estimating & Benchmarking Lead oversees the estimating group’s development, review, validation, and reconciliation of project capital estimates and serves as the project’s estimating subject matter expert. The role also provides benchmark analyses, cost validation studies, and other estimating-related assessments.

The lead supports development of project budgets during early phases and tracks progress against established budgets. As projects advance, the role oversees check estimates and other independent assessments as needed. The position coordinates with project controls, engineering, procurement, construction, contractors, clients, and PMC leadership to support project cost decisions.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule
• Professional training and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior