Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Las Vegas, Nevada, and/or Anchorage Alaska
Title: Project Controls III
Schedule (FT/PT): Regular Full Time
Travel Required: Yes (0-25%)
Government Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Position SummaryThe Project Controls Engineer plays a key role in coordinating the daily planning, scheduling, cost management, and performance tracking activities for environmental projects, maintaining a strong and consistent presence in the field. Working closely with construction teams, this role develops, updates, and analyzes project schedules and cost data to accurately reflect real-time site conditions and progress.
By integrating field performance, cost trends, and project risks, the Project Controls Engineer delivers reliable forecasting, productivity insights, and performance analysis that support timely, informed decision-making. The role partners directly with superintendents, project managers, and craft teams to ensure alignment between installed work, schedule advancement, and budget expectations-ultimately driving efficient, predictable, and successful project execution.
Key ResponsibilitiesScheduling, Cost Planning & Budgeting- Develop and maintain integrated project schedules using tools such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
- Assist in creating Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) in line with project scope and deliverables.
- Define logical sequencing of activities, durations, and resource requirements
- Support the development and validation of project budgets ensuring alignment between estimate, scope, contracts, and schedule
- Establish and maintain the project Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and maintain alignment with WBS and schedule
- Assist in developing cost-loaded schedules in coordination with project management team
Cost Control & Forecasting- Monitor and control project costs including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracts
- Track commitments (POs, subcontracts) and actual expenditures against budget
- Work closely with field teams to validate progression against projected quantities
- Prepare cost forecasts and estimate-at-completion (EAC) projections
- Assist in earned value management (EVM) analysis and reporting
Performance Monitoring & Reporting- Analyze critical path activities and schedule variances and provide corrective action recommendations
- Perform schedule updates based on progress, changes, and field input, and validate logic and durations
- Track and measure project performance (schedule and cost) against baseline schedules
- Oversee accruals, ensuring accrual amount are based on the most up to dateschedule and amount invoiced, review with project manager before submitting
- Monitor project performance metrics (schedule variance, cost variance, productivity)
- Develop and maintain Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Estimate to Complete (ETC)
- Perform earned value analysis (CPI, SPI, productivity trends)
- Identify cost variances, trends, and potential overruns/underruns
- Communicate key cost drivers, variances, and risks to project management
- Conduct what-if and scenario analysis to support decision-making
- Ensure reporting aligns with organizational standards and requirements
- Identify trends, deviations, and potential risks affecting project success
- Provide actionable recommendations to improve performance
- Produce regular reports, dashboards, and presentations for project stakeholders
- Participate in year end audit process as needed
Change Management & Claims Support- Evaluate the impact of scope changes, delays, and disruptions on cost and schedule
- Support time impact analyses (TIA) and cost impact assessments
- Assist in preparation of change orders, claims, and supporting documentation
- Evaluate and quantify cost impacts of scope changes and project risks
- Maintain change logs and integrate changes into forecasts
- Maintain schedule revisions and audit trails
Risk and Contingency Management - Participate in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation planning
- Conduct scenario and sensitivity analyses ("what-if" modeling)
- Monitor risk triggers and support contingency management
- Track contingency usage and provide justification for drawdowns
Coordination & Collaboration- Work with project managers, engineers, project teams, and subcontractors to collect and validate data
- Participate in project meetings (progress reviews, planning sessions, risk meetings)
- Ensure alignment between engineering, procurement, accounting, and project controls data
- Compile necessary backup for invoicing including project Schedule of Values (SOVs) - Ensure that invoices are tracked, confirmed, and submitted
- Manage forecasts including revenue recognition on projects
- Manage contract administration activities as it pertains to change control on projects
Compliance & Standards- Ensure adherence to company project controls standards and client requirements
- Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails
- Support compliance with contractual reporting requirements and industry best practices
Education- Bachelor's degree in Finance, , Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
Experience- 8-10+ years of experience in project controls
- Minimum 8 years' experience on environmental remediation, construction, or enginnering projects
- Minimum 8 years' Experience in the preparation of cost estimates to completion utilizing bottoms up ETC analysis and forecasting utilizing other PMI approved methods
- Minimum 8 years' demonstrated experience and working understanding of project planning and scheduling, cost control, risk analysis and cost estimating and EVMS.
- Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of schedule specification requirements for DOE, USACE and/or NAVFAC projects
Technical Skills- Proficiency in Primavera P6 (preferred) or Microsoft Project
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools
Key Competencies- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail and data accuracy
- Effective communication and reporting abilities
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Collaboration and stakeholder coordination
- Critical thinking and decision support
Preferred Qualifications- Professional certifications such as PMP, PSP (AACE), or EVP
- Experience with project controls systems
- Knowledge of contract types and project controls practices (AACE, PMI, DOE, or DCMA standards)
- Experience in specific sectors (e.g., heavy civil, nuclear, industrial EPC)
Reasonable Accommodations: North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people! For more information about our benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline [redacted] or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.
