Corporate America At Its Worst - Engineer Kiewit Corporation Employee Review

3.0
1 Mar 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Let me start by saying that I am a current employee on my way up the corporate ladder. That said, with Kiewit, you will learn every aspect of the construction industry. Most employees sign on as an engineer and you will learn how to estimate and run work. You will have the chance to work in paving, utilities, structures, environmental...you will get bounced around so you can learn it all. Kiewit places a big emphasis on training, so you will become very proficient in many valuable disciplines very quickly. Beginning a career, Kiewit usually offers more money and a better benefits package than most other companies out there. Lastly, you will have the chance to travel far and wide. This can be good or bad, but long story short, you will have the opportunity to live in many areas. Kiewit is a great springboard for any young construction worker. Many employers know Kiewit's expectations of its employees and so they view Kiewit employees favorably. It is not uncommon for other companies to cherry pick Kiewit guys because they know that they will be getting a competent and hard working employee.

Cons

The Kiewit mindset is that the company comes first...period. The company does not take into consideration family needs or personal desires. You will not have free time working for this company. It is not an 8-5 job. Typical days start around or before 6:30 and generally don't end until 6-6:30. It is not uncommon to find yourself working until 10:00 or later at night. This has nothing to do with incompetence or a poor work ethic. Your colleagues will be right there with you. There is no work life balance whatsoever, and most of the people who progress within the company are those that work late and work weekends. Face time is what really matters to the company. Another bad thing about the company, and it is true with many construction companies, is that they go where the work is. If you are in Texas but they find work in Louisiana, they will not think twice about shipping you to the new job. They don't take family/health status into consideration. If you want a job with Kiewit, you go where the work is. Lastly, the only tried and true method of progressing within the company is to become a successful field person. Don't attempt to climb up through the ranks as a business person or any other position that doesn't require you to go out and run work. Business people may become stockholders, but it is generally a 10-15 year process for them where as a field person can become a shareholder within 3-5 years. Safety, quality, environmental, and some of the other positions that don't "make money" will have a very hard time going anywhere within Kiewit.

Explore other reviews about Kiewit Corporation

5.0
6 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very Safety oriented, outfitted their crews with supplies and equipment without question, listened to employee questions and concerns and addressed them. Provided good facilities with heat and A/C as needed, coffee machines, microwaves, refrigerators, etc. Union contractor with the associated pay and benefits. Known to be an employer where people stay long term.

Cons

Long hours and detail oriented work but thats just the nature of the work. Some of the safety restrictions were a bit overboard.

1.0
17 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Able to work on cool projects and potential to make a lot of money with cola

Cons

If you're ambitious at all, I probably wouldn't recommend working here. The pay is decent and if you're willing to stick around for 20+ years, you'll likely do just fine. But for me, the pace was too slow, the work was boring, and I never felt like I was doing anything meaningful or driving real business impact. The company is very stable, but that stability comes with tradeoffs. Career progression felt like a slow grind, and there was always the possibility of being forced to relocate depending on business needs. Personally, if you're young, motivated, and want to accelerate your career, I'd look for a role where you're directly contributing to growth, revenue, or strategic decision-making. If you're set on finance/FP&A, Kiewit can be a good place to spend a year and build experience, but I'd use it as a stepping stone rather than a long-term destination. Just my experience. —it just wasn't for me. - stayed 2 years - too long.

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