A Project Manager at Kiewit plays a critical role in executing some of the largest, most complex infrastructure and engineering projects across North America. From massive transportation corridors and water reclamation facilities to power plants and industrial complexes, Project Managers are the central hub of execution. You are responsible for leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time, and within scope.

At Kiewit, the Project Manager role is highly entrepreneurial. Unlike many firms where project managers are isolated from the field, Kiewit expects its leaders to be deeply involved in both field operations and high-level corporate strategy. Your decisions will directly impact the safety of hundreds of craft workers, the profitability of your district, and the long-term relationship with clients. It is a high-visibility, high-stakes position that requires a unique blend of technical construction knowledge, financial acumen, and exceptional leadership skills.

This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are passionate about building tangible infrastructure that improves communities. Preparing for this role requires demonstrating a deep understanding of construction methods, a relentless commitment to safety, and the ability to drive performance under pressure.

The questions you will face during the Kiewit interview process are designed to evaluate your practical construction experience, your ability to manage project controls, and your alignment with the company's core values. These representative questions, compiled from real candidate experiences, illustrate the patterns and topics you should expect.

Technical & Project Controls

These questions test your understanding of scheduling, estimating, cost forecasting, and field execution. Interviewers want to know if you can manage the financial and operational health of a job site.

• How do you manage and track schedule variances on a project experiencing material delays?
• Describe your experience with cost-to-complete forecasting and how you handle budget overruns.

Preparing for a Project Manager interview at Kiewit requires a strategic approach. You cannot rely solely on your resume; you must be ready to articulate your hands-on experience and demonstrate the specific traits that Kiewit values in its leaders.

When preparing, focus your efforts on these key evaluation criteria:

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep, practical understanding of construction operations, project controls, estimating, and contract management. Interviewers will drill down into the specifics of your past projects to verify your technical expertise.

Problem-Solving & Grit – Construction projects rarely go exactly according to plan. You need to show that you are resilient, adaptable, and capable of solving complex logistical and financial problems under tight deadlines.

Safety Leadership – Safety is not just a policy at Kiewit; it is a core value. Be prepared to explain how you actively manage risk and build a proactive safety culture on your projects.

Culture Fit – Kiewit has a distinct, hard-working culture. They look for individuals who are humble, hungry to learn, collaborative, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right.

The interview process at Kiewit is structured to thoroughly evaluate both your technical capabilities and your alignment with the company's demanding work culture. Candidates experience a multi-stage process that can vary slightly depending on the district, location, and seniority of the position.

The process typically begins with an initial phone screen or an online video assessment, where a recruiter or a automated system asks general background and qualifying questions. This is often followed by a more detailed technical phone interview or a video call with district leaders and active Project Managers. The final stage is typically an intensive, in-person interview at a regional office or active job site, where you will meet with multiple operations managers and executives.

The visual timeline above outlines the typical progression from the initial application to the final decision. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they are fully ready for the highly detailed technical and behavioral rounds that occur in the middle and final stages of the process.

To succeed in the Kiewit interview process, you must perform exceptionally well across several core competency areas. Understanding these areas in detail will help you tailor your preparation.

Project Controls and Financial Management

As a Project Manager, you are ultimately responsible for the financial success of your projects. Kiewit interviewers will evaluate your ability to manage budgets, track costs, and forecast financial outcomes.

Be ready to go over:

• Cost Forecasting – How you calculate cost-to-complete and identify potential budget variances early.
• Change Order Management – Your process for identifying out-of-scope work, documenting it, and negotiating change orders with clients.
• Resource Allocation – Strategies for optimizing labor, equipment, and material usage to maximize profitability.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics and analysis.
• Joint venture accounting and risk-sharing structures.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you managed a major budget overrun on a past project and successfully brought the costs back in line."
• "How do you handle a situation where a client disputes a critical change order that has already stalled work on-site?"

Field Operations and Scheduling

Your ability to translate plans into physical infrastructure is critical. Interviewers want to see that you understand the realities of field execution and can build realistic, aggressive schedules.

Be ready to go over:

• Critical Path Method (CPM) – How you develop, monitor, and adjust project schedules to maintain the critical path.
• Subcontractor Coordination – Managing schedules and quality control across multiple tier-one and tier-two subcontractors.
• Logistics and Site Planning – Organizing site layouts, material deliveries, and equipment positioning for maximum efficiency.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Lean construction principles and Pull Planning sessions.
• Managing complex utility relocations and right-of-way challenges.

Example scenarios:

• "Describe a time when a critical material delivery was delayed by several weeks. How did you re-sequence the work to keep the project on schedule?"
• "How do you manage a subcontractor who is consistently failing to meet their daily production targets?"

Leadership and Safety Culture

Kiewit expects its Project Managers to lead by example, particularly when it comes to the safety and well-being of the workforce.

Be ready to go over:

• Incident Prevention – How you implement daily safety briefings, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and safety walkthroughs.
• Team Development – Your approach to mentoring field engineers and helping craft workers succeed.
• Client Relations – Building trust and maintaining open communication with owners, agency representatives, and community stakeholders.

Example scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to shut down a work activity due to a safety hazard, despite intense pressure to meet a critical deadline."
• "How do you motivate a project team that is experiencing low morale due to extended overtime or difficult working conditions?"