Principal Business Analyst - Project Controls

COMPA Industries, Inc.; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 166,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

COMPA Industries, Inc. seeks a Principal Estimator to provide project controls, estimating, and scheduling support for NNSA Capital Projects at Savannah River Site. This on-site, 1-year base contract with two 1-year options requires 10+ years in project controls and a DOE clearance eligibility.

The role focuses on cost estimation, schedule development, and financial analysis to enable effective lifecycle cost control across complex programs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 5+ years of practical experience, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years in engineering, construction, operations, estimating, scheduling, project controls, proposal development, and/or project management.
• Experience with cost estimating, scheduling, and financial analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost and schedule baselines and spend plans.
• Review specifications for engineered equipment and subcontracts.
• Advise estimators on labor and non-labor resources needed.
• Provide input to schedulers on activity sequence, durations, and logic.
• Prepare Basis of Estimate (BOE) and Basis of Schedule (BOS) inputs.
• Prepare monthly financial reports, forecasts, and spend plans.
• Lead and train Project Controls personnel.

Skills

Project controls

Cost estimating

Scheduling

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Master’s degree in business/related field

10+ years experience in project controls

Tools

Success Estimating

Job description

Principal Business Analyst - Project Controls

Principal Estimator
Working Title: Principal Business Analyst – Project Controls
Pay: $80-$85/hr
Location: Aiken, SC (On-site at Savannah River Site)
Contract: 1-year base with two (2) 1-year option periods
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:30 AM–5:00 PM
Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance

About the Role

We are recruiting on behalf of Savannah River Site (SRS) for a Principal Estimator to provide project controls, estimating, and scheduling support to the NNSA Capital Projects mission at SRS. The work centers on evaluating and assessing project scopes, including cost estimating and scheduling, and on the organization, development, and maintenance of project controls, financial analysis, and estimating applications that give management the ability to plan, schedule, analyze, and control cost across the life cycle of complex projects and programs. Under very limited supervision, you will perform project controls activities and prepare business and financial plans and reports on a periodic or ad hoc basis. This is an on-site position. Candidates should be local to the Aiken, SC area or willing to relocate at their own expense. Telework may be approved at the hiring manager’s discretion and can be revoked at any time; SRS remains the primary duty station.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures, and spend-out plans that make effective use of equipment, manpower, funding, and facilities.
• Review and provide input to specifications for engineered equipment and subcontracts.
• Advise estimators on the labor and non-labor resources needed to perform the scope of work.
• Provide input to schedulers on activity sequence, durations, and logic, and to management on risk-informed schedules used to set milestones and performance-based incentives (PBIs).
• Provide input to technical writers for Basis of Estimate (BOE), Basis of Schedule (BOS), and WBS data dictionary documents.
• Participate in routine project cost reviews and schedule meetings, and develop and implement a change management system for assigned engineering and construction scope.
• Analyze cost and schedule variances against the plan and communicate causes and proposed mitigation plans to management.
• Apply financial analysis techniques, including variance, statistical, and scenario analysis, to work scopes and management decisions.
• Develop and explain costing rates for the budget process, maintain rates in PeopleSoft, and analyze pool variances (Assigned Overhead and Service Pools).
• Analyze business operations to identify funding limitations, productivity issues, and financial risks, and design integrated financial controls and cost-effective processes.
• Define requirements and develop models for complex business systems, build test plans and scenarios, and oversee implementation of enhancements to financial applications.
• Initiate and direct special studies and translate management’s conceptual direction into operating plans.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports, including analyses, forecasts, and spend plans.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and training to other Project Controls personnel, applying an understanding of CAS/FAR principles.

Required Education & Experience

Master’s degree in business, construction management, technical, engineering, or a related area and 5 years of practical experience. Equivalents considered: a Bachelor’s degree in a related area and 7 years of practical experience; an Associate’s degree and 11 years of practical experience; or a high school diploma and 15 years of relevant experience. In addition, the position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience as listed under Top Skills & Requirements.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering, construction, operations, estimating, scheduling, project controls, proposal development, and/or project management.
• Five years of experience demonstrating knowledge of desired area of subject matter expertise.
• Reviews work for completeness as required by project specifications and scope definitions.
• Strong problem solving, analysis and interpersonal skills as well as oral and written communication skills.
• Practical experience in the use of the Site Business systems.
• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of project management and cost and schedule control at the tactical level, along with a knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.
• Expert proficiency in automated accounting, cost management, scheduling, and estimating systems, and strong personal computer skills.

Security Clearance

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. An active DOE clearance is not required to begin the assignment; the selected candidate will be notified when to apply based on specific work assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates who have possessed an active DOE clearance (L or Q) within the past two (2) years are preferred.
• Working knowledge of Success Estimating software.

Contract Details

Duration: 1-year base contract with two (2) 1-year option periods. Option periods are not guaranteed and are executed at the discretion of the hiring manager.
Estimated Hours: 2,080 straight time + 600 overtime per year. Overtime will be expected at times to meet deliverables.
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:30 AM–5:00 PM.

Interview Process

Interviews are conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission-critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward-thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.
COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.