Lead Project Controller

BAE Systems.; Carnforth; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a skilled Lead Project Controller to coordinate project controls activities within a hybrid work environment. This role requires expertise in project controls, particularly in Earned Value Management (EVM), alongside analytical and communication skills. You will support project managers in delivering high-value programs and work closely with finance and engineering teams. The position comes with numerous employee benefits, including health plans and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience applying Project Controls principles such as planning and risk reporting.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management and strong analytic skills.
• Ability to present project data to various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day activities of the Project Controls team.
• Implement project controls processes across various dimensions.
• Provide analytical insight and challenge project teams effectively.

Skills

Project Controls

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Supervisory skills

Education

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

Tools

Daltek software – Open Plan Professional

COBRA

Job description

Job Title: Lead Project Controller

Location: Warton - We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £56,766

What you’ll be doing:

• You will support and coordinate the day‑to‑day activities of a Project Controls team, providing task direction, technical guidance and informal coaching
• You will also implement, maintain and assure project controls processes across planning, cost, risk, change and performance reporting in line with defined Air Sector and programme standards
• You’ll develop, maintain and assure performance measurement baselines, ensuring consistency, traceability and data integrity
• Produce and assure accurate forecasting (EAC), earned value performance analysis, trend identification and variance explanations
• Provide analytical insight and constructive challenge to project teams, highlighting risks, opportunities and recommending corrective actions
• Act as a key interface with delivery, finance and engineering teams to ensure alignment and effective communication of project performance

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Experience applying Project Controls disciplines including planning, costs, risk and performance reporting.
• Considerable working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) and forecasting techniques, with the ability to interpret and investigate performance data
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, able to present multi‑faceted project information clearly to a range of stakeholders
• Experience supervising, guiding or coaching project controls professionals in a project or programme environment

Desirable:

• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
• Experience working on multi‑faci­tive or large‑scale programmes
• Utilising Daltek software – Open plan professional or COBRA

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Program Management Team:

The team contributes to highly detailed national and international projects within the Air Sector of BAE Systems. As part of this team, you will be working on project control techniques to support the Project Managers in the delivery of large, high value, technically detailed and strategically important programmes. This role will provide you with opportunity to utilise state of the art project control technology and play an integral role in the team.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 12th January 2026

Due to the festive season, there may be a delay in the processing of your application. Your application is important to us, and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.