Cost Control Specialist

The Nuclear Company; Washington, Columbia (District of Columbia, SC); On-site; USD 121,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nuclear Company is seeking a Cost Control Specialist to join our project controls team in Washington, DC. You will monitor and optimize project costs, develop reports, and apply Earned Value Management principles to improve forecast accuracy and decision making.

This role requires a Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years in cost management, and strong skills in data analytics with Power BI or Tableau. We value collaboration, precision, and a proactive approach to risk and opportunity identification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years in project controls with a focus on cost management.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycle and work breakdown structures.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, advanced Excel).
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning applications for predictive analytics.

Responsibilities

• Cost Reporting: Develop periodic cost reports and provide analysis.
• Establish and Maintain Performance Measurement Baseline: Set a cost baseline for the project.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Alignment: Coordinate with multiple teams to support the cost baseline.
• Monitor Contractor and Subcontractor Cost Performance: Oversee external cost performance and flag deviations.
• Risk Identification and Management: Perform trend analysis and mitigation planning.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track Estimate at Complete and alert on divergences.
• Data Analytics & Visualization: Build cost dashboards and automate reporting.
• AI-Driven Forecasting & Analysis: Use AI/ML to enhance predictive cost analysis.

Skills

Cost management

Data analytics

Communication

Analytical skills

AI/machine learning basics

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech‑enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet‑scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design‑once, build‑many model, we’re accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.

We operate with an AI‑first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision‑making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.

About the role

The Cost Control Specialist is integral to cost management on projects at The Nuclear Company. They will support the project management team in monitoring and controlling costs on their respective project(s), developing cost reports in compliance with applicable procedures. They will provide analysis on past performance as well as predictive analysis based on previous results. The successful candidate will understand Project Management Institute standards and will be able to implement Earned Value Management principles into their duties.

Responsibilities

• Cost Reporting: Develop periodic cost reports and provide analysis of the data to Control Account managers and the leadership team
• Establish and Maintain Performance Measurement Baseline: In coordination with the Project Management Team, establish a cost baseline that will be used to measure the project throughout the project life cycle
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning & testing, regulatory, and project controls teams to collect inputs to support management of the cost baseline
• Monitor Contractor and Subcontractor Cost Performance: Provide oversight of cost performance by non‑TNC partners as it relates to the cost baseline and inform project leadership of any deviation from expected performance
• Risk Identification and Management: Perform trend analysis to identify any threats or opportunities impacting the project’s budget. Work with the PM and the applicable team to mitigate threats and to enhance opportunities
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor Estimate at Complete for the project and for individual control accounts to ensure alignment with the cost baseline. Provide early warning to the financial team for any deviations that could impact cash flows or the financial forecast
• Data Analytics & Visualization: Utilize business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to build dynamic cost dashboards, automate trend analysis, and deliver real‑time insights to project leadership
• AI‑Driven Forecasting & Analysis: Leverage AI and machine learning tools to enhance predictive cost analysis, identify anomalies in spending patterns, and improve the accuracy of Estimate at Complete (EAC) projections

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in project controls with a focus on cost management and/or cost controls
• Strong understanding of project lifecycle and work breakdown structures
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, advanced Excel) for building cost dashboards and automating reporting
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning applications for predictive analytics, cost forecasting, or anomaly detection in project controls environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience in the nuclear energy, power generation, or highly regulated industry
• Familiarity with earned value management, risk analysis, and cost‑schedule integration
• PMP or PMI‑SP certification a plus
• Experience working in a startup or high‑growth environment
• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match

Estimated Starting Salary Range

The estimated starting salary range for this role is $121,000 - $143,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi‑weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement

The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.

Export Control

Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.

Recruiting Fraud Alert

Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page.