Construction Manager

Title:

Construction Manager

Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR!

Program Summary

Blue Grass Army Depot ECOE is a critical national defense project to execute complex design, construction, and commissioning efforts culminating in full manufacturing operations. KBR is leading the delivery of a $900M+ new-build energetics manufacturing facility for the U.S. Army in Kentucky, which will produce explosive materials in support of the Army Organic Industrial Base and national munitions readiness objectives. The program spans the complete facility lifecycle: design maturation, heavy industrial construction, hazardous chemical process systems installation, commissioning and systemization, and transition into sustained manufacturing operations, all under stringent DoD explosives safety requirements. This is a flagship, high-visibility program of direct importance to national security and warfighter readiness.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a senior Construction Manager to lead the on-site execution of this facility. The Construction Manager will own day-to-day construction execution from site mobilization through mechanical completion, commissioning support, and turnover to manufacturing operations. The role requires constant, senior-level interface with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, installation leadership, and other Government stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a proven record of delivering large federal construction programs and chemical or energetics process plants of comparable size, scope, and regulatory complexity.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Direct all on-site construction activities for a $900M+ industrial facility, including sitework, hardened process buildings, explosives-rated structures, utilities, and chemical process equipment installation.
• Serve as KBR’s primary construction interface with the U.S. Army customer, USACE district and resident offices, installation command staff, and Government safety and security organizations; lead recurring Government progress reviews, partnering sessions, and issue-resolution boards.
• Manage subcontractors, self-perform crews, and specialty trades; enforce contract requirements, schedule discipline, and quality standards across all work packages.
• Implement and enforce a construction safety program compliant with USACE EM 385-1-1, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and DoD explosives safety criteria, in alignment with KBR’s Zero Harm safety culture.
• Ensure construction complies with DoD explosives safety siting and design requirements (DESR 6055.09, DDESB-approved site plans) and hazardous location electrical requirements (NEC Class I and Class II classified areas).
• Oversee cost, schedule, and earned value performance; manage change control, requests for information, submittals, and claims avoidance; report program status to KBR leadership and the Government.
• Coordinate construction sequencing with process equipment vendors, commissioning teams, and operations personnel to support a smooth transition from construction to systemization and startup.
• Manage quality assurance and quality control in accordance with the USACE three-phase control process and contract specifications; ensure timely closeout of punch lists, testing, and documentation.
• Support environmental compliance during construction, including stormwater, air, waste management, and RCRA-related requirements associated with energetics facilities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-discipline construction management team including superintendents, field engineers, QC managers, and safety professionals.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Four additional years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 15+ years of progressive construction management experience on heavy industrial projects, including at least 10 years on federal Government construction programs (DoD, USACE, NAVFAC, DOE, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience as the senior on-site construction manager for at least one federal or industrial construction program valued at $500M or greater, taken from mobilization through completion or near completion.
• Direct experience constructing chemical process plants, energetics or munitions production facilities, or comparable hazardous process facilities of similar size and scope, including process equipment installation, piping, and instrumentation-intensive scopes.
• Heavy, sustained U.S. Army or Government liaison experience: proven ability to work daily with Army program offices, USACE resident and district offices, contracting officers, and installation leadership, and to represent the contractor in formal Government reviews.
• Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS construction contract requirements, Government submittal and RFI processes, and federal change and claims management.
• Thorough knowledge of USACE EM 385-1-1 safety requirements and the USACE Contractor Quality Control three-phase inspection system.
• USACE Construction Quality Management for Contractors (CQM-C) certification, current or obtainable within 90 days of hire.
• OSHA 30-hour Construction certification.
• Experience managing large subcontractor teams (multiple concurrent subcontracts, peak site staffing of 300+ craft personnel or equivalent).
• Proficiency with construction scheduling and controls tools (Primavera P6, earned value reporting) and Government project management systems (RMS or equivalent).
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance and pass installation access screening.
• Ability to relocate to the Central Kentucky area for the full 3 to 5 year construction assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior construction experience on Army Organic Industrial Base sites, ammunition plants, depots, or arsenals, or on other DoD energetics and munitions modernization programs.
• Experience with explosives facility design and construction standards, including DESR 6055.09 quantity-distance siting, DDESB site plan approval processes, blast-resistant and hardened construction, and intrinsically safe or explosion-proof electrical installations.
• Experience constructing or modernizing nitration, continuous-flow chemical processing, or other energetic material production lines.
• Experience with design-build delivery under federal contracts, including managing design completion in parallel with early construction packages.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Construction Manager (CCM), DBIA certification, or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Experience supporting commissioning, systemization, and initial operational capability of process facilities, including handover to Government or contractor operations teams.
• Familiarity with environmental permitting and compliance for energetics operations (RCRA, Clean Air Act, open burn/open detonation alternatives) as they affect construction sequencing.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Prior experience working with KBR, Mason & Hanger, or other firms with an energetics facility heritage, or direct experience at Government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) sites.

Compensation, Allowances, and Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, plus eligibility for annual performance incentives.
• Housing allowance for the duration of the on-site assignment.
• Per diem allowance in accordance with applicable KBR policy and Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) guidelines.
• Relocation assistance to the Central Kentucky area.
• Full KBR employee benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid time off and holidays; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase plan; and professional development and certification support.

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits including a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, paid time off, flexible work schedules, and professional training and development opportunities.

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.

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.