Senior Controls Project ManagerLocation: Sterling, VA (Regional travel throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC area)
Department: Controls / Automation - Project Management
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Role OverviewThe Senior Controls Project Manager is a senior-level delivery and leadership role responsible for
owning complex, multi-project programs and major customer accounts within JSET's Controls and Automation group.
This position is based out of JSET's
Sterling, Virginia office and supports projects across the
Virginia, Maryland, and DC region, primarily within mission-critical and industrial environments.
This role goes beyond single-project execution and is accountable for
program outcomes, customer confidence, delivery consistency, and team development. It is ideal for a seasoned Controls Project Manager or Controls Engineer/Integrator ready to influence
how work is delivered across a group, not just manage individual jobs.
Common Entry Points- Controls Project Manager demonstrating sustained success delivering complex, high-visibility programs.
- Controls Engineer or Integrator with strong customer ownership, cross-functional leadership, and accountability for multiple concurrent projects.
Primary Focus- Own and lead major customer accounts or multi-project programs across the region.
- Serve as a senior delivery leader-mentoring Project Managers and Engineers and reinforcing disciplined execution.
- Standardize delivery systems, tools, and expectations to improve predictability, quality, and performance across the group.
Key Responsibilities- Lead delivery of multiple complex controls projects and programs for key regional customers.
- Act as the senior client liaison and escalation point, ensuring alignment with customer expectations and project commitments.
- Coach and support Project Managers and Engineers to strengthen delivery discipline, forecasting accuracy, and financial performance.
- Drive continuous improvement in delivery standards, including planning cadence, risk management, and post-project reviews.
- Partner with operations, estimating, and commissioning teams to improve handoffs, execution quality, and commissioning outcomes.
Growth & Success Indicators- Consistently delivers complex programs with strong customer trust and predictable outcomes.
- Raises team performance through coaching, clear expectations, and practical standards.
- Implements improvements that reduce rework, missed milestones, and delivery friction.
Required Qualifications- 7+ years of experience in controls, automation, electrical construction, or related project delivery roles.
- Proven success managing multiple complex projects or programs simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of controls systems, construction workflows, and commissioning phases.
- Ability to communicate clearly and confidently with field teams, engineers, executives, and customers.
- Willingness and ability to travel regionally within the VA / MD / DC area as required.
Preferred Training & Certifications- PMP strongly expected.
- Experience with delivery governance, including stage gates, risk dashboards, forecasting discipline, and portfolio-level reporting.
