Lead Estimator - Kiewit Power Engineering

Position Overview

We are an innovative team of engineers, designers and estimators that support complex projects throughout the company. The estimator will be responsible for developing the civil construction estimate within the estimate schedule and collaborate with Kiewit’s construction teams to approach construction-driven engineering with a focus on safe, cost effective, and innovative designs that meet client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc is a full-service consulting and engineering firm serving the infrastructure and engineering markets. Our combined staff of more than 3,000 engineers and design professionals have expertise that spans all major engineering disciplines to serve transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets. Backed by 140 years of construction experience, our construction-driven engineering focuses on constructability and safety in the earliest phases of projects to ensure on-time and on-budget project delivery. 

Our rapidly growing Power district, which includes structural, civil, piping, mechanical, process, process safety, electrical, instrument and control disciplines, is a multi-faceted division of Kiewit with best-in-class technical expertise focused on the EPC delivery model for power facilities. We offer a variety of engineering services, including owner's engineering, project development, detailed engineering and design, construction management and plant services. Our engineering teams bring power projects to life across North America in the following areas: 
•    Gas-fired generation  
•    Power delivery  
•    Environmental retrofits 
•    Renewables and new technology 
•    Water/wastewater 

We are a high performing team of engineers and designers that develop projects through the project life-cycle engaging exciting projects throughout North America. Our staff leads the power markets engineering process and collaborates with Kiewit’s construction teams to approach construction-driven engineering with a focus on safe, cost-effective, and innovative designs that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence. 

Location

This position is based out of Lenexa, KS.

Responsibilities

•    Review, interpret, and apply engineering techniques, calculations, and design standards to develop accurate civil and structural estimates for power generation, carbon capture, and EPC projects.
•    Analyze and develop site designs, including grading, earthwork, hydrology/hydraulics, roadway layout, and overall site development, to establish quantity takeoffs and cost inputs.
•    Prepare preliminary design concepts and engineering alternatives to support estimating efforts, constructability reviews, and project feasibility evaluations.
•    Oversee and utilize Civil3D or similar design tools to generate surface models, evaluate site layouts, and extract quantities for estimating purposes.
•    Conduct and train others on detailed quantity takeoffs for earthwork, site surfacing, underground piping, drainage, foundations, and structural components.
•    Develop and assemble subcontractor and material bid packages in coordination with procurement; answer bidder questions and support bid evaluations.
•    Identify, document, and communicate estimating risks, assumptions, clarifications, and qualifications to ensure transparency and alignment with company standards.
•    Coordinate closely with civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and construction teams to ensure that all project elements are incorporated into design assumptions and estimates.
•    Compare self perform estimates against subcontractor proposals or secondary team estimates and reconcile differences for accuracy.
•    Support proposal development by preparing civil- and structural-specific estimating content for moderate to large EPC pursuits.
•    Utilize estimating software, CAD tools, and engineering design platforms to develop accurate quantities, pricing, and cost modeling.
•    Review client RFPs, specifications, drawings, contracts, and reference materials to ensure estimates comply with all technical and contractual requirements.
•    Maintain close collaboration with construction partners to incorporate field conditions, constructability considerations, and installation methods into pricing and assumptions.
•    Prepare schedules, staffing assessments, and budget inputs for engineering and estimating deliverables to support project planning and execution.
•    Participate in estimate review meetings with estimating leadership and executive management to present, justify, and refine the civil and structural estimate.
•    Maintain strong documentation practices ensuring all estimate bases, calculations, and assumptions are well organized and aligned with organizational quality standards.
•    Attend technical meetings to coordinate design and estimating issues and support multidisciplinary engineering teams in resolving conflicts or gaps.
•    Support permitting, third party coordination, and design compliance requirements as they relate to estimating and project development strategies.
•    Lead or support onboarding, mentoring, and development of entry level estimators and junior technical staff on estimating best practices.

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field required. 
•    Minimum of 4 years of experience in construction estimating and at least 3 years of civil/structural engineering design experience in relevant industries (power, infrastructure, industrial, EPC, etc.). 
•    Strong understanding of civil-site design, including grading, drainage systems, hydrology/hydraulics, utilities, roads/paving, and earthwork. 
•    Demonstrated ability to interpret engineering drawings, coordinate with civil designers, and verify accuracy of plans used for detailed quantity takeoffs. 
•    Proficiency in engineering design and CAD software, preferably AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, Geopak, and/or drainage calculation tools. 
•    Strong proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and estimating/scheduling software used for civil and structural cost development. 
•    Proven ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and meeting project expectations. 
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. 
•    Strong team orientation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, construction, procurement, and proposal teams. 
•    Demonstrated ability to serve as a point of contact for both internal and external clients, providing technical clarity and support during estimating and development phases. 
•    High degree of self motivation, initiative, and problem solving capability in fast paced, deadline driven environments. 
•    Ability to support proposal teams by preparing civil-specific estimating content and working positively to achieve shared project goals. 
•    Experience reviewing RFPs, specifications, drawings, and contractual requirements, ensuring alignment between design assumptions and estimate basis.

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